(210 ILCS 9/60)

Sec. 60. Notice of denial; request for hearing; hearing.

(a) Immediately upon the denial of any application or reapplication for a license under this Act, the Department shall notify the applicant in writing. Notice of denial shall include a clear and concise statement of the violations of this Act on which the denial is based and notice of the opportunity for a hearing. If the applicant or licensee wishes to contest the denial of a license, it shall provide written notice to the Department of a request for a hearing within 10 days after receipt of the notice of denial. The Department shall commence a hearing under this Section.

(b) A request for a hearing by aggrieved persons shall be taken to the Department as follows:

(1) Upon the receipt of a request in writing for a hearing, the Director or a person designated in writing by the Director to act as a hearing officer shall conduct a hearing to review the decision.

(2) Before the hearing is held notice of the hearing shall be sent by the Department to the person making the request for the hearing and to the person making the decision which is being reviewed. In the notice the Department shall specify the date, time, and place of the hearing, which shall be held not less than 10 days after the notice is mailed or delivered. The notice shall designate the decision being reviewed. The notice may be served by delivering it personally to the parties or their representatives or by mailing it by certified mail to the parties' addresses.

(3) The Department shall commence the hearing within 30 days after the receipt of request for hearing. The hearing shall proceed as expeditiously as practicable, but in all cases shall conclude within 90 days after commencement.

(c) The Director or hearing officer shall permit any party to appear in person and to be represented by counsel at the hearing, at which time the applicant or licensee shall be afforded an opportunity to present all relevant matter in support of his or her position. In the event of the inability of any party or the Department to procure the attendance of witnesses to give testimony or produce books and papers, any party or the Department may take the deposition of witnesses in accordance with the provisions of the laws of this State. All testimony shall be reduced to writing, and all testimony and other evidence introduced at the hearing shall be a part of the record of the hearing.

(d) The Director or hearing officer shall make findings of fact in the hearing, and the Director shall render his or her decision within 30 days after the termination of the hearing, unless additional time not to exceed 90 days is required by him or her for a proper disposition of the matter. When the hearing has been conducted by a hearing officer, the Director shall review the record and findings of fact before rendering a decision. All decisions rendered by the Director shall be binding upon and complied with by the Department, the establishment, or the persons involved in the hearing, as appropriate to each case.

(Source: P.A. 91-656, eff. 1-1-01.)