(240 ILCS 40/25-5)

Sec. 25-5. Adjudication of claims. When a licensee has experienced a failure, the Department shall process the claims in the following manner:

(a) The Department shall publish once each week for 3 successive weeks in at least 3 newspapers of general circulation within the county of the licensee, and shall mail or deliver to each claimant whose name and post office address are known or are reasonably ascertainable by the Department, a notice stating:

(1) That the licensee has experienced a failure and the date of that failure.

(2) The place and post office address where claims may be filed.

(3) The procedure for filing claims, as determined by rule.

(4) That a claimant's claims shall be barred if not filed with the Department on or before the later of:

(A) the claim date, which shall be 90 days after the date of failure of the licensee; or

(B) 7 days from the date notice was mailed to a claimant if the date notice was mailed to that claimant is on or before the claim date.

(b) Time of notice.

(1) The first date of publication of the notice as provided for in subsection (a) of this Section shall be within 30 days after the date of failure.

(2) The published notice as provided for in subsection (a) of this Section shall be published in at least 3 newspapers of general circulation in the area formerly served by the failed licensee.

(3) The notice as provided for in subsection (a) of this Section shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, within 60 days after the date of failure to each claimant whose name and post office address are known by the Department within 60 days after the date of failure.

(c) Every claim filed must be in writing, verified, and signed by a person who has the legal authority to file a claim on behalf of the claimant and must state information sufficient to notify the Department of the nature of the claim and the amount sought.

(d) A claim shall be barred and disallowed in its entirety if:

(1) notice is published and given to the claimant as provided for in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section and the claimant does not file a claim with the Department on or before the claim date; or

(2) the claimant's name or post office address is not known by the Department or cannot, within 60 days after the date of failure, be reasonably ascertained by the Department and the claimant does not file a claim with the Department on or before the later of the claim date or 7 days after the date notice was mailed to that claimant if the date notice was mailed to that claimant is on or before the claim date.

(e) Subsequent notice.

(1) If, more than 60 days after the date of failure but before the claim date, the Department learns of the name and post office address of a claimant who was previously not notified by the Department by mail, the Department shall mail by certified mail, return receipt requested, the notice to the claimant as provided for in subsection (a) of this Section.

(2) The notice mailed as provided for in item (e)(1) of this Section shall not extend the period of time in which a claimant may file its claim beyond the claim date. A claimant to whom notice is mailed under item (e)(1) of this Section, however, shall have the later of the claim date or 7 days after the date notice was mailed to file a claim with the Department.

(f) The Department shall determine the validity, category, and amount of each claim within 120 days after the date of failure of the licensee and shall give written notice within that time period to each claimant and to the failed licensee of the Department's determination as to the validity, category, and amount of each claim.

(g) A claimant or the failed licensee may request a hearing on the Department's determination within 30 days after receipt of the written notice and the hearing shall be held in the county of the location of the principal office or place of business, in Illinois, of the failed licensee and in accordance with rules. Under no circumstances shall payment to claimants who have not requested a hearing be delayed by reason of the request for a hearing by any unrelated claimant.

(h) Within 30 days after a failure of a licensee, the Director shall appoint an Administrative Law Judge for the hearings. The Director shall appoint a person licensed to practice law in this State; who is believed to be knowledgeable with regard to agriculture and the grain industry in Illinois; who has no conflict of interest; and who at the time of his or her appointment is not working for or employed by the Department in any capacity whatsoever.

(i) For the purposes of this Article, the "reasonably ascertainable" standard shall be satisfied when the Department conducts a review of the failed licensee's books and records and an interview of office and clerical personnel of the failed licensee.

(j) It is the intent of this Act that the time periods and deadlines in this Section 25-5 are absolute, and are not to be tolled, or their operation halted or delayed. In the event of a bankruptcy by a licensee, the Director shall seek to have commenced any proceedings that are necessary and appropriate to lift the automatic stay or make it otherwise inapplicable to the actions of the Department with regard to the claims determination process. In all other cases, the Department shall seek to have commenced the proceedings necessary to expeditiously remove or lift any order of any court or administrative agency that might attempt to delay the time periods and deadlines contained in this Section 25-5.

(Source: P.A. 96-464, eff. 8-14-09.)