Section 1455.490  Disqualification of an Administrative Law Judge

a)         Any interested party to a proceeding may, following notice and an opportunity to object, move to disqualify the assigned Administrative Law Judge on the basis of bias or conflict of interest.  An adverse ruling rendered against the party or its representative in any previous matters shall not, in and of itself, constitute sufficient grounds for disqualification under this Section.  The Secretary shall determine this issue as part of the record of the case.  When an ALJ is disqualified, or it becomes impractical for him/her to continue, another presiding officer may be assigned unless it is further shown that substantial bias will result from the assignment.

b)         No motion for disqualification shall be permitted after any substantive ruling has been made on the case by the ALJ, unless it pertains to a conflict of interest not previously disclosed.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 16445, effective October 13, 2005)