Section 1000.1640  Bias or Disqualification of Hearing Officer

a)         Any interested party may file a timely and sufficient affidavit setting forth allegations of personal bias, prejudice or disqualification of a presiding hearing officer.  The Director shall determine this issue as part of the record of the case.  When a hearing officer is disqualified, or it becomes impractical for that hearing officer to continue, another hearing officer may be assigned, unless it is further shown that substantial bias or prejudice will result from that assignment.

b)         The hearing officer may at any time voluntarily disqualify the hearing officer.

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 18990, effective December 1, 2006)