(225 ILCS 203/75)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)

Sec. 75. Formal charges; hearing.

(a) Following the investigative process, the State Fire Marshal may file formal charges against a licensee. Formal charges shall, at a minimum, inform the licensee of specific facts that are the basis of the charge to enable the licensee to defend himself or herself.

(b) Each licensee whose conduct is the subject of a formal charge that seeks to impose disciplinary action against the licensee shall be served notice of the formal charge at least 30 days before the date of the hearing. The hearing shall be presided over by the Board or a hearing officer authorized by the Board in compliance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Service shall be considered to have been given if the notice was personally received by the licensee or if the notice was mailed certified, return requested to the licensee at the licensee's last known address as listed with the State Fire Marshal.

(c) The notice of a formal charge shall consist, at a minimum, of the following information:

(1) The time, place, and date of the hearing.

(2) A statement that the licensee shall appear personally at the hearing and may be represented by counsel.

(3) A statement that the licensee has the right to produce witnesses and evidence in his or her behalf and the right to cross-examine witnesses and evidence produced against him or her.

(4) A statement that the hearing can result in disciplinary action being taken against his or her license.

(5) A statement that rules for the conduct of these hearings exist and it may be in his or her best interest to obtain a copy.

(6) A statement that the hearing officer authorized by the Board shall preside at the hearing and following the conclusion of the hearing shall make findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations, separately stated, to the Board as to what disciplinary action, if any, should be imposed on the licensee.

(7) A statement that the Board may continue such hearing.

(d) The Board or the hearing officer authorized by the Board shall hear evidence produced in support of the formal charges and contrary evidence produced by the licensee, if any. If the hearing is conducted by a hearing officer, at the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall make findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations, separately stated, and submit them to the Board and to all parties to the proceeding. Submission to the licensee shall be considered as having been made if done in a similar fashion as service of the notice of formal charges. Within 20 days after such service, any party to the proceeding may present to the Board a motion, in writing, for a rehearing. The written motion shall specify the particular grounds for the rehearing.

(e) The Board, following the time allowed for filing a motion for rehearing, shall review the hearing officer's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations, and any motions filed subsequent thereto. After review of the information the Board may hear oral arguments and thereafter shall issue such order. The report of findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations of the hearing officer shall be the basis for the Board's order. If the Board finds that substantial justice was not done, it may issue an order in contravention thereof.

(f) All proceedings pursuant to this Section are matters of public record and shall be preserved.

(Source: P.A. 89-467, eff. 1-1-97.)