Section 1130.110  Statutory Authority/Applicability

 

a)         This Part is promulgated by authority granted to the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board (HFSRB) under the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act (the Act) [20 ILCS 3960].

 

b)         The HFSRB rules in effect on the date an application is filed shall apply to all aspects of the subsequent review process, including application fees, fees for the modification of an application, or fees for the alteration of the permit.

 

c)         The HFSRB rules in effect on the date of the alleged violation of the Act and/or this Part shall be applicable concerning compliance with HFSRB requirements.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.120  Introduction

 

Part 1130 establishes the procedures and requirements for processing and reviewing applications for permit, applications for exemption, other matters that are subject to the Act, and determinations by HFSRB.  This Part pertains to, but is not limited to: persons and transactions subject to the Act; the requirements for submitting applications for permit or exemption; the HFSRB review process; public hearing procedures for applications and proposed rules; requirements for maintaining valid permits; declaratory rulings; and administrative hearings.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.130  Purpose

 

a)         The purpose of the Act is to establish a procedure:

 

1)         which requires a person establishing, constructing or modifying a health care facility to have the qualifications, background, character and financial resources to adequately provide a proper service for the community;

 

2)         that promotes the orderly and economic development of health care facilities in the State of Illinois that avoids unnecessary duplication of such facilities; and

 

3)         that promotes planning for and development of health care facilities needed for comprehensive health care especially in areas where the health planning process has identified unmet needs.  (Section 2 of the Act)

 

b)         This program is established to:

 

1)         improve the financial ability of the public to obtain necessary health services;

 

2)         establish an orderly and comprehensive health care delivery system that will guarantee the availability of quality health care to the general public;

 

3)         maintain and improve the provision of essential health care services and increase the accessibility of those services to the medically underserved and indigent;

 

4)         assure that the reduction and closure of health care services or facilities is performed in an orderly and timely manner, and that these actions are deemed to be in the best interests of the public; and

 

5)         assess the financial burden to patients caused by unnecessary health care construction and modification. (Section 2 of the Act) 

 

c)         Decisions regarding proposed new health services and facilities shall be based on community health needs in Illinois.  The burden of proof on all issues pertaining to an application shall be on the applicant.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.140  Definitions

 

Unless otherwise provided in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1100, 1110, 1120, 1125, 1130, 1235, and 1260, or unless a different meaning of a word or term is clear from the context, the following definitions also apply to the State Board's rules in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1100, 1110, 1120, 1125, 1130, 1235, and 1260:

 

"Act" means the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act [20 ILCS 3960].

 

"Administrative Law Judge" or "ALJ" means the person appointed to preside at administrative hearings under Subpart J and pursuant to the Act.

 

"Administrator" means the chief executive officer of HFSRB, responsible to the HFSRB Chairman and, through the Chairman, responsible to HFSRB for the execution of its policies and procedures.

 

"Adverse Action" means a disciplinary action taken by IDPH, CMMS, or any other State or federal agency against a person or entity that owns or operates licensed or Medicare or Medicaid certified healthcare facility in the State of Illinois.  These actions include, but are not limited to, all Type "A" and Type "AA" violations.  As defined in Section 1-129 of the Nursing Home Care Act [210 ILCS 45], "Type 'A' violation" means a violation of the Nursing Home Care Act or of the rules promulgated thereunder which creates a condition or occurrence relating to the operation and maintenance of a facility that (i) creates a substantial probability that the risk of death or serious mental or physical harm to a resident will result therefrom or (ii) has resulted in actual physical or mental harm to a resident. As defined in Section 1-128.5 of the Nursing Home Care Act, a "Type AA violation" means a violation of the Act or of the rules promulgated thereunder which creates a condition or occurrence relating to the operation and maintenance of a facility that proximately caused a resident's death.  [210 ILCS 45/1-129]

 

"Affirmation" means a statement, declaration, proclamation, pronouncement, or notice made by an applicant regarding the information requirements for an application for exemption, with the understanding that there are still consequences to any matters that are non-compliant with the terms of the exemption issued.

 

"Agency" or "Department" or "IDPH" means the Illinois Department of Public Health.  (Section 3 of the Act)

 

"Alteration" means any revision or change to a project as detailed in the application that occurs after HFSRB issued the permit.  A completed project cannot be altered.  The site of the proposed project or the persons who are the permit holder cannot be altered.

 

"Applicant" means a person, as defined in the Act, who applies for a permit or exemption.  See Section 1130.220 to determine what parties are necessary for an application.

 

"Audit" means the most recent formal examination, correction, and official endorsement of financial reports by an independent certified public accountant that is in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

"Authorized Representative" means a person who has authority to act on behalf of the legal entity or person that is the applicant or permit holder. Authorized representatives are:  in the case of a corporation, any of its officers or members of its board of directors; in the case of a limited liability company, any of its managers or members (or the sole manager or member when two or more managers or members do not exist); in the case of a partnership, any of its general partners (or the sole general partner when two or more general partners do not exist); in the case of estates and trusts, any of its beneficiaries (or the sole beneficiary when two or more beneficiaries do not exist); and in the case of a sole proprietor, the individual who is the proprietor.

 

"Business Day" means Monday through Friday.  It does not include a federal or State government declared holiday, Saturday, or Sunday.

 

"Calendar Day" or "day" means all days in a month or prescribed time frame.  It includes weekends and federal or State government declared holidays.

 

"Capital Expenditure" shall have the meaning ascribed in Section 3 of the Act.

 

"Capital Expenditure Minimum" shall have the meaning ascribed in Section 3 of the Act.  Capital expenditure minimums are adjusted annually to reflect the increase in costs due to inflation (see Section 1130.310(a)(1)).  Current capital expenditure minimums are available at https://hfsrb.illinois.gov/con-program.html.

 

"Category of Service" shall have the meaning ascribed in Section 3 of the Act.

 

"Censure" means a formal and public reprimand issued by HFSRB.

 

"Chairman" or "Board Chair" means the presiding officer of HFSRB.

 

"Change in the Bed Count of a Health Care Facility" means a change in a health care facility's authorized bed capacity, including reductions, increases with permit or allowable increases without permit. A permit or exemption shall be obtained prior to the construction or modification of a health care facility which: changes the bed capacity of a health care facility by increasing the total number of beds or by distributing beds among various categories of service or by relocating beds from one physical facility or site to another by more than 20 beds or 10% of total bed capacity as defined by the State Board in its Inventory of Health Care Facilities and Services and Need Determinations available at https://hfsrb.illinois.gov/inventories-data.html, whichever is less, over a 2-year period.  (Section 5(c) of the Act)  The two-year period begins on the date the additional beds or stations become operational.  (See Section 1130.240(g).)

 

"Change of ownership of a health care facility" means a change in the person who has operational control of an existing health care facility or a change in the person who has ownership or control of a health care facility's physical plant and capital assets.  A change in ownership is indicated by, but not limited to, the following transactions:  sale, transfer, acquisition, lease, change of sponsorship or other means of transferring control. [20 ILCS 3960/3] Examples of change of ownership include:

 

a transfer of stock or assets resulting in a person (parent or wholly owned entity) obtaining majority interest (i.e., over 50%) in the person (operator or licensee) who is licensed or certified (if the facility is not subject to licensure), or in the person (ownership entity) who owns or controls the health care facility's physical plant and capital assets; or

 

the issuance of a license by IDPH to a person different from the current licensee; or

 

for facilities not subject to licensing, the issuance of a provider number to a different person by certification agencies that administer Titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act; or

 

a change in the membership or sponsorship of a not-for-profit corporation; or

 

a change of 50% or more of the voting members of a not-for-profit corporation's board of directors, during any consecutive 12-month period, that controls a health care facility's operation, license, certification (when the facility is not subject to licensing) or physical plant and capital assets; or

 

a change in the sponsorship or control of the person who is licensed or certified (when the facility is not subject to licensing) to operate, or who owns the physical plant and capital assets of a governmental health care facility; or

 

any other transaction that results in a person obtaining control of a health care facility's operations or physical plant and capital assets, including leases; or

 

conversion of a health care facility.

 

"Change of Ownership Among Related Persons" shall have the meaning ascribed in Section 6(b) of the Act.

 

"Charity care" shall have the meaning ascribed in Section 3 of the Act.

 

"Clinical Service Area" means a department or service that is directly related to the diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation of persons receiving services from the health care facility [20 ILCS 3960/3].  A clinical service area's physical space shall include those components required under the facility's licensure or Medicare or Medicaid Certification, and as outlined by documentation from the facility as to the physical space required for appropriate clinical practice.

 

"CMMS" means the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

 

"Combined Service Area Project" means a project that consists of both clinical service areas and non-clinical service areas.

 

"Completion" or "Project Completion" means a project has been concluded, has been licensed or certified (if applicable), has received accreditation (if applicable), and a notice of project completion and final realized cost report has been submitted to HFSRB (as required at Section 1130.770).

 

"Completion Date" or "Project Completion Date" means the date the applicant or permit holder (as applicable) established for the completion of the project when the permit was approved or renewed. For purposes of a permit, when a project requires an applicant to obtain a license, the project is not considered complete until the facility is licensed.  When a project is in litigation, the completion date will be stayed if the permit holder provides a certified notice of the dates of litigation.

 

"Construction or modification" means the establishment, erection, building, alteration, reconstruction, modernization, improvement, extension, discontinuation, change of ownership, of or by a health care facility, or the purchase or acquisition by or through a health care facility of equipment or service for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes or for facility administration or operation, or any capital expenditure made by or on behalf of a health care facility which exceeds the capital expenditure minimum; however, any capital expenditure made by or on behalf of a health care facility for the construction or modification of a facility licensed under the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act or a conversion project undertaken in accordance with Section 30 of the Older Adult Services Act shall be excluded from any obligations under the Act.  [20 ILCS 3960/3] Examples of construction or modification include, but are not limited to:

 

Construction of new buildings;

 

Additions to existing facilities;

 

Modernization projects whose cost exceed the capital expenditure threshold;

 

Offsite replacement of a healthcare facility; or

 

Establishment of a hospital, long-term care facility, end-stage renal disease facility, birth center, ambulatory surgical treatment center, etc.

 

"Contested Case" is defined in Section 1-30 of the IAPA [5 ILCS 100/1-30].

 

"Control" means that a person possesses any of the following discretionary and non-ministerial rights or powers:

 

In the case of an entity, the ability to direct the management and policies of the entity, whether through the voting of securities, corporate membership, contract, or otherwise.  Examples of such control include, without limitation:

 

holding 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of an issue;

 

in the case of an entity that has no outstanding voting securities, having the right to 50% or more of the profits or, in the event of dissolution, the right to 50% or more of the assets of the entity;

 

having the power to appoint or remove 50% or more of the governing board members of an entity;

 

having the power to require or approve the use of funds or assets of the entity; or

 

having the power to approve, amend or modify the entity's bylaws or other governance documents.

 

In the case of capital assets or real property, the power to direct or cause the direction of the personal property, real property or capital assets that are components of the project (i.e., fixed equipment, mobile equipment, buildings, and portions of buildings).  Examples of such control include, without limitation:

 

owning 50% or more of the property or asset; or

 

serving as lessee or sublessee.

 

"Conversion" means a change in the control of an existing health care facility's physical plant, assets, or operations by such methods as, but not limited to, a change in ownership, acquisition, merger, consolidation, lease, stock transfer, or change in sponsorship.  Types of conversion include:

 

consolidation by combining two or more existing health care facilities into a new health care facility, terminating the existence of the existing or original facilities (A + B = C).  Consolidation results in the establishment of a health care facility within the meaning of the Act and in the discontinuation of the existing facilities, resulting in termination of license for facilities subject to licensing or the loss of certification for facilities not subject to licensing;

 

merger by the absorption of one or more existing health care facilities into another existing health care facility.  The result of the absorption is that only one facility survives (A + B = B).  Merger results in the modification (e.g., expansion of beds or services) of the survivor facility and the discontinuation of the facility being absorbed.

 

"Date" means, for purposes of this Part, a period starting at 12:00:01 a.m. of a specified day and ending at 12:00:00 a.m. the following day.

 

"Director" means the Director of the Department of Public Health.  (Section 3 of the Act)

 

"Discontinuation" means to cease operation of an entire health care facility or category of service on a voluntary or involuntary basis.  A permit or exemption is required prior to a discontinuation. For discontinuations approved by HFSRB, the discontinued beds will be removed from the Inventory once the permit or exemption is issued. A facility or category of service that has ceased operation or has interrupted service on a temporary basis due to unforeseen circumstances (such as the lack of appropriate staff, or a natural or unnatural disaster) may be determined to not have discontinued, provided the facility has exercised appropriate efforts to maintain operation, and within 30 days after the temporary interruption of the service, has provided documentation to HFSRB of the circumstances of the discontinuation and a comprehensive plan to restore the service, including the anticipated date of restoration of the service.  Discontinuation also includes a determination by HFSRB that:

 

an existing category of service is not operating at utilization standards/target occupancy rates specified in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1100, for that category of service, on average for any five-year period and thereafter (based upon data reported by the facility to the Administrator pursuant to Section 13 of the Act), and that need no longer exists in the planning area based upon the existence of such factors as, but not limited to, access to other services in the planning area, excess service capacity in the planning area, and the facility's ability to adequately staff the existing service. HFSRB shall administer these changes through its Declaratory Ruling process (see Section 1130.810).

 

HFSRB NOTE:  HFSRB may determine that a discontinuation has not occurred when a facility has complied with the requirements of this definition.  Failure to obtain a permit or exemption prior to discontinuation may result in the imposition of sanctions or penalties as provided by the Act.

 

"Due Diligence" means to take such actions toward the completion of a project for which a permit has been issued with the diligence and foresight that persons of ordinary prudence and care commonly exercise under like circumstances.  An accidental or unavoidable cause that cannot be avoided by the exercise of due diligence is a cause that reasonable prudent and careful persons, under like circumstances, do not and would not ordinarily anticipate, and whose effects under similar circumstances they do not and would not ordinarily avoid.

 

"Emergency Projects" means projects that are emergent in nature and must be undertaken immediately to prevent or correct structural deficiencies or hazardous conditions that may harm or injure persons using the facility, as defined at 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110.20(a). [20 ILCS 3960/12(9)]

 

"Entity" means any corporation, company, partnership, joint venture, association, trust, foundation, fund or other legally recognized organization, public body, or municipality.

 

"Establish" or "Establishment" means the construction of a health care facility, the licensing of buildings or structures as a health care facility, the replacement of an existing health care facility on another site or, the initiation of a category of service. [20 ILCS 3960/3] Examples include:  new or replacement hospital, long-term care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, dialysis facilities, or the establishment of a new category of service in a new or existing health care facility.

 

"Estimated Project Cost" or "Project Costs" means the sum of all costs, including the fair market value of any equipment or other real property (whether acquired by lease, donation, or gift) necessary to complete a project, including:

 

preplanning costs;

 

site survey and soil investigation fees;

 

site preparation costs;

 

off-site work;

 

construction contracts and contingencies (including demolition);

 

capital equipment included in construction contracts;

 

architectural and engineering fees;

 

consultants and other professional fees that are related to the project;

 

capital equipment not in construction contracts;

 

bond issuance expenses;

 

net interest expense during construction; and

 

all other costs that are to be capitalized.

 

"Exemption" means the classification of projects that are exempt from the Certificate of Need permit review process but are reviewed under the procedures and requirements of HFSRB regarding issuance of exemptions. An exemption shall be approved when all information required by the Board by rule, in accordance with Subpart E, is submitted. (See Section 6(b) of the Act.) 

 

"Exemption Holder" means any person as prescribed in Section 1130.220(a).

 

"Existing Health Care Facility" means any health care facility subject to the Act that:

 

has a license issued by IDPH and has provided services within the past 12 months, unless the failure to provide such service is the result of pending license revocation procedures, and has not surrendered or abandoned its license or had its license revoked or voided or otherwise deemed invalid by IDPH; or

 

is certified under Titles XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395); or

 

is a facility operated by the State of Illinois.

 

HFSRB NOTE:  Projects approved by HFSRB for establishment of a health care facility that have not been deemed complete in accordance with the provisions of this Part shall not be considered existing facilities, but the approved number of beds or services shall be recorded in the Inventory of Health Care Facilities and shall be counted against any applicable need estimate.

 

"Ex Parte Communication" means a communication between a person who is not a State Board member or employee and a State Board member or employee that reflects on the substance of a pending or impending State Board proceeding and that takes place outside the record of the proceeding.  Communications regarding matters of procedure and practice, such as the format of a pleading, number of copies required, manner of service, and status of proceedings, are not considered ex parte communications.  Technical Assistance with respect to an application, not intended to influence any decision on the application, may be provided by employees to the applicant.  (Section 4.2(d) of the Act)  Once an application for permit or exemption is filed and deemed complete, a written record of any communication between staff and an applicant shall be prepared by staff and made part of the public record, using a prescribed, standardized format, and shall be included in the application file. (Section 4.2(a) of the Act)

 

"Fair Market Value" means the dollar value of a project or any component of a project that is accomplished by lease, donation, gift, or any other means that would have been required for purchase, construction, or acquisition.

 

"Final Decision" or "Final Administrative Decision" or "Final Determination" means:

 

the decision to approve or deny an application by HFSRB, or take other actions permitted under this Act.  (Section 12(11) of the Act)  Action taken by HFSRB to deny an application for permit is subsequent to an administrative hearing or to the waiver of such hearing; or

 

the decision by HFSRB on all matters other than the issuance of a permit.

 

HFSRB NOTE:  The decision is final at the close of business of the HFSRB meeting at which the action is taken.

 

"Final Realized Costs" means all costs that are normally capitalized under generally accepted accounting principles that have been incurred to complete a project for which a permit or exemption was issued.  These costs include all expenditures and the dollar or fair market value of any component of the project, whether acquired through lease, donation, or gift.

 

"Financial Commitment" shall have the meaning ascribed in Section 3 of the Act.  Financial commitment occurs when a permit holder incurs actual expenditures of 33% or more of the total project cost or commits to expend 33% or more of the total project cost by signed contracts or other legal means (see Section 1130.760).

 

"Financial Commitment Date" means the date by which the permit holder expends, or commits to expend, by contract or other legal means at least 33% of the total project cost.

 

"Hearing Officer" means the person with authority to conduct public hearings and to take all necessary steps to assure the proper completion of public hearings and to assure compliance with requirements of the Act.  Responsibilities include: determining the order and time allotment for public testimony; maintaining order; setting and announcing new hearing dates, times, and places, as necessary; determining the conclusion of the hearing and assuring that all documents, exhibits and other written materials presented or requested at the hearing are in the hearing officer's custody; and preparing a report for submittal to HFSRB.

 

"HFSRB" or "State Board" or "Board" means the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. (Section 3 of the Act)

 

"IAPA" means the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act [5 ILCS 100].

 

"Initiation of a Category of Service" means, for purposes of a permit or exemption, the category of service has been licensed or certified, if required, and the first patient or resident has been admitted or treated.

 

"Intent to Deny" means the negative decision of HFSRB, following its initial consideration of an application for permit that failed to receive the number of affirmative votes required by the Act.  (See Section 1130.670.)

 

"Interdependence" means components of construction or modification that are architecturally or programmatically interrelated to the extent that undertaking one or more of the components compels the other components to be undertaken.  Unless otherwise interdependent, or submitted as one project by the applicant, components of construction or modification undertaken by means of a single construction contract or financed through the issuance of a single debt instrument shall not be grouped together as one project. (See Section 3 of the Act.)  Examples include but are not limited to:  expanding a hospital's emergency department but taking over observation space and moving the observation space to another location or building at multiple sites on one hospital campus with financing originating from one funding source.  

 

"Inventory" means the HFSRB Inventory of Health Care Facilities and Need Determination created pursuant to Section 12(4) of the Act and available at https://hfsrb.illinois.gov/inventories-data.html.

 

"Major Medical Equipment" shall have the meaning ascribed in Section 3 of the Act.

 

"Medicaid Certified" or "Medicare Certified" or "Medicaid Certification" or "Medicare Certification" means approval for a facility to receive reimbursement under Title XVIII (Medicare) and/or XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395).

 

"Modification of an Application" or "Modification" means any change to an application prior to a final HFSRB action. These changes include, but are not limited to:  changing the proposed project's physical size or gross square feet, the site within a planning area, the operating entity when the operating entity is not the applicant, the number of proposed beds, the categories of service to be provided, the cost, the method of financing, proposed project completion date, the configuration of space within the building, or any change in the person who is the applicant, including the addition or deletion of one or more persons as co-applicants.

 

HFSRB NOTE:  A change of site to a site outside the planning area originally identified in the application is not considered a modification and invalidates the application.

 

"Moral Turpitude" means conduct that has an inherent quality of baseness, vileness, or depravity with respect to another person or society in general, contrary to the accepted and customary rule of right and duty.  Examples include rape, forgery, robbery, arson, counterfeiting and wrongful solicitation.

 

"Newspaper of General Circulation" means newspapers other than those intended to serve a particular defined population, such as the publications of professional and trade associations.

 

"Newspaper of Limited Circulation" shall have the meaning ascribed in Section 8.5(c) of the Act.

 

"Non-clinical Service Area" shall have the meaning ascribed in Section 3 of the Act.

 

"Non-substantive Projects" means construction or modification projects that are not classified as substantive or emergency as defined in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110.20(b), with a review period that shall not exceed 60 days (see Section 1130.610(b)).  Non-substantive projects include capital projects which are "by or behalf of" a health care facility and which exceed the capital expenditure minimum threshold.

 

"Operational" means a permit holder is providing the services approved by HFSRB and, for a new health care facility or a new category of service, licensure, or Medicare and/or Medicaid certification has been obtained, and residents/patients are utilizing the facility or equipment or are receiving service.

 

"Out-of-State Facility" shall have the meaning ascribed in Section 3 of the Act.

 

"Permit" means authorization to execute and complete a project related to a health care facility, as reviewed, and approved by HFSRB.

 

"Permit Holder" means all persons who own, operate or control, the owner or operator.  See Section 1130.220 to determine what parties are necessary to be a permit holder.

 

"Person" shall have the meaning ascribed in Section 3 of the Act.

 

"Post-permit' or "Post-permit Period" means the time between HFSRB's final decision for an application for permit or application for exemption up to and including project completion.

 

"Proposal" or "Project" means any proposed construction or modification of a health care facility or any proposed acquisition of equipment to be undertaken by an applicant.

 

"Related Person" means any person that:

 

is at least 50% owned, directly or indirectly, by either the health care facility or a person owning, directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the health care facility;

 

owns, directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the health care facility; (Section 3 of the Act)

 

is otherwise controlled or managed by one or more health care facilities or controls or manages the health care facility;

 

otherwise controls or manages the health care facility; or

 

is otherwise, directly, or indirectly, under common management or control with one or more health care facilities.

 

A related person, as it relates to a change of ownership, means a transaction in which the parties to the transaction are under common control or ownership before and after the transaction is complete (e.g., subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, etc.). (Section 6(b) of the Act)

 

"Relinquishment of a Permit or Exemption" means a voluntary and knowing abandonment of a permit or exemption, forsaking all rights associated with that permit or exemption.  Once relinquishment is granted by HFSRB, a permit or exemption is considered null and void.  The Inventory will be modified, if affected by the permit relinquishment, to the same status as prior to the permit or exemption issuance.

 

"Review Period" means the time from the date an application for permit or exemption is deemed complete by HFSRB staff until HFSRB renders its final decision.

 

"Site" shall have the meaning ascribed at 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1100.220.

 

"Square Feet" or "SF" or "Square Footage" means a unit of measure of physical service areas or buildings considered by HFSRB.  Departmental Gross Square Feet (DGSF) means the designation of physical areas for departments and services.  It consists of the entire space dedicated to the use of that department or service, including walls, shafts, and circulation.  Building Gross Square Feet (BGSF) means the designation of physical area of an entire building.  It includes all exterior walls and space within those walls.

 

"State Board Staff Report" shall have the meaning ascribed in Section 3 of the Act.

 

"Stay" or "Stayed" means an action to stop an administrative or legal proceeding or the actions of a party.

 

"Substantially Changes the Scope or Changes the Functional Operation of the Facility" means:

 

the discontinuation of a health care facility or category of service as defined in this Part;

 

a change of a material representation made by the applicant in an application for permit or exemption subsequent to receipt of a permit that is relied upon by HFSRB in making its decision.  Material representations are those that provide a factual basis for issuance of a permit or exemption and include:

 

withdrawal or non-participation in the Medicare and/or Medicaid programs;

 

charge information;

 

requirements of variances pursuant to 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110;

 

other representations made to HFSRB as stipulated or agreed upon in the public record and specified in the application or the permit or exemption approval letter;

 

the addition of a specialty not previously approved by HFSRB for an ambulatory surgical treatment center (ASTC);

 

an increase of more than three dialysis stations or more than 10% of the facility's total number of dialysis stations, whichever is less, over a two-year period.  The two-year period begins on the date the facility's additional stations are certified.  When a permit is issued for additional stations or for the establishment of an additional facility/service, the facility may not add any more dialysis stations for two years from the date that such stations approved in the permit are certified without obtaining an additional permit;

 

the acquisition, construction, or leasing of space, buildings, or structures for providing outpatient surgical services on a site or location that is not within the licensed premises of the health care facility.  Outpatient surgical services are those surgical procedures that are routinely performed in such settings as a hospital or ambulatory surgical treatment center, or in any room or area that is designed, equipped, and used for surgery, such as, but not limited to, a surgical suite or special procedures room.  Outpatient surgical services do not include those procedures performed as part of a physician's private practice in examination or non-surgical treatment rooms; or

 

a capital expenditure by a health care facility which meets a review threshold, or a capital expenditure by another entity which will result in a direct or indirect benefit to a health care facility, including capital expenditures by parent corporations for the benefit of their health facility holdings.

 

"Substantially Complete" means the application for permit or exemption contains the majority of the required information and has been determined ready for a substantive review, with the understanding that additional information may be needed for clarification during the review period.

 

"Substantive Projects" means projects limited to the following:

 

Projects to construct a new or replacement facility located on a new site; or a replacement facility located on the same site as the original facility and the costs of the replacement facility exceeds the capital expenditure minimum, which shall be reviewed by the Board within 120 days. (Section 12(8)(a) of the Act)

 

Projects proposing a new service within an existing healthcare facility or discontinuation of a service within an existing healthcare facility, which shall be reviewed by the Board within 60 days. (Section 12(8)(b) of the Act)

 

Projects proposing a change in the bed capacity of a health care facility by an increase in the total number of beds or by a redistribution of beds among various categories of service or by a relocation of beds from one facility to another by more than 20 beds or more than 10% of total bed capacity, as defined by the State Board in the Inventory, whichever is less, over a 2-year period. (Section 12(8)(c) of the Act)

 

"Technical Assistance" means help provided by an employee of HFSRB to a person, a health care facility or the HFSRB, and is not considered ex parte communication as defined in Section 4.2 of the Act.  Technical Assistance may be provided to any person regarding pre-application conferences, the filing of an application, or other request to HFSRB provided that the communication is not intended to influence any decision on the application.  Technical Assistance may be provided for the benefit of HFSRB to clarify issues relevant to an application or other business of HFSRB.  The assistance may be in the form of written correspondence, conversations, site visits, meetings, and/or consultations with independent experts.  Once an application or exemption is filed and deemed complete, a written record of any communication between staff and an applicant shall be prepared by staff and made part of the public record, using a prescribed, standardized format, and shall be included in the application file, within 10 business days after the assistance is provided. (Sections 4.2 (a) and (d) of the Act and Section 1130.225)

 

"Temporary Suspension of Facility, Category of Service, or Surgical Service" means cessation or interruption of a facility's operations, category of service, or surgical service for only a limited period of time, with the intention to resume normal operations as soon as feasible (see Section 1130.240(d)).  HFSRB shall only provide two extensions for a temporary suspension.

 

"Vice Chairman" means a person elected by a majority of HFSRB members to preside over HFSRB meetings and assist as needed when the Chairman is unavailable. (See Section 12(18) of the Act.)

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.150  Referenced and Incorporated Materials

 

a)         The following rules, standards and statutes are referenced in this Part:

 

1)         State of Illinois Statutes:

 

A)        Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act [20 ILCS 3960];

 

B)        Hospital Licensing Act [210 ILCS 85];

 

C)        Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Act [210 ILCS 5];

 

D)        Nursing Home Care Act [210 ILCS 45];

 

E)        Illinois Administrative Procedure Act [5 ILCS 100];

 

F)         Alternative Health Care Delivery Act [210 ILCS 3];

 

G)        Administrative Review Law [735 ILCS 5/Art. III];

 

H)        Illinois State Agency Historic Resources Preservation Act [20 ILCS 3420];

 

I)         Code of Civil Procedure [735 ILCS 5];

 

J)         Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act [210 ILCS 9];

 

K)        Older Adult Services Act [320 ILCS 42];

 

L)        Open Meetings Act [5 ILCS 120];

 

M)       ID/DD Community Care Act [210 ILCS 47];

 

N)        MC/DD Act [210 ILCS 46];

 

O)        Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013 [210 ILCS 49];

 

P)         Birth Center Licensing Act [210 ILCS 170];

 

Q)        Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act [210 ILCS 50];

 

R)        Uniform Commercial Code [810 ILCS 5];

 

S)         Uniform Electronic Transactions Act [815 ILCS 333];

 

T)         Court of Claims Act [705 ILCS 505].

 

2)         State of Illinois Rules:

 

A)        Narrative and Planning Policies (77 Ill. Adm. Code 1100);

 

B)        Processing, Classification Policies and Review Criteria (77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110);

 

C)        Health Facilities and Services Financial and Economic Feasibility Review (77 Ill. Adm. Code 1120);

 

D)        Long-Term Care (77 Ill. Adm. Code 1125);

 

E)        Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities (SMHRFs) (77 Ill. Adm. Code 1126);

 

F)         Health Facilities and Services Review Operational Rules (77 Ill. Adm. Code 1130);

 

G)        Public Information Access, Rulemaking and Organization (2 Ill.

Adm. Code 1925);

 

H)        Health and Hazardous Substances Registry Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 840).

 

3)         Other referenced materials:

 

A)        Illinois Executive Order #2006-5;

 

B)        Rules of the Illinois Supreme Court.

 

b)         Incorporations by Reference

The following materials are incorporated by reference in this Part.  All incorporations are as of the date specified and no later editions or amendments are included.

 

American Institute of Architects

1735 New York Avenue, N.W.

Washington D.C.  20006

 

AIA Document G702, Application and Certificate for Payment (1992)

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.210  Persons Subject to the Act

 

Any person (as defined in Section 1130.220(a) and (b)) who proposes to establish, construct, or modify a health care facility, and any person who proposes to acquire major medical equipment, is subject to the Act.  In addition, health care facilities are subject to certain provisions of the Act, such as, but not limited to, submission of an annual report of capital expenditures and providing information, reports, and data necessary to carry out the purposes of the Act.  The Act applies to facilities defined in Section 1130.215.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.215  Health Care Facilities Subject to the Act

 

Health care facilities and organizations that are subject to the Act and HFSRB rules include:

 

a)         An ambulatory surgical treatment center required to be licensed pursuant to the Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center Act (Section 3(1) of the Act);

 

b)         An institution, place, building, or agency required to be licensed pursuant to the Hospital Licensing Act (Section 3(2) of the Act);

 

c)         Skilled and intermediate long term care facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act (Section 3(3) of the Act);

 

d)         Skilled and intermediate care facilities licensed under the ID/DD Community Care Act or the MC/DD Act (Section 3(3.5) of the Act);

 

e)         Facilities licensed under the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013 (Section 3(3.7) of the Act);

 

f)         Hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory surgical treatment centers, or kidney disease treatment centers maintained by the State or any department or agency thereof (Section 3(4) of the Act);

 

g)         Kidney disease treatment centers, including a free-standing hemodialysis unit required to meet the requirements of 42 CRF 494 in order to be certified for participation in Medicare and Medicaid under Titles XVIII and XIX of the federal Social Security Act (Section 3(5) of the Act);

 

h)         An institution, place, building, or room used for the performance of outpatient surgical procedures that is leased, owned, or operated by or on behalf of an out-of-state facility (Section 3(6) of the Act);

 

i)          An institution, place, building, or room used for provision of a health care category of service as defined by the Board at 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1100.220, including, but not limited to, cardiac catheterization and open heart surgery (Section 3(7) of the Act);

 

j)          An institution, place, building, or room housing major medical equipment used in the direct clinical diagnosis or treatment of patients, and whose project cost is in excess of the capital expenditure minimum (Section 3(8) of the Act); and

 

k)         Facilities licensed under the Birth Center Licensing Act.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.220  Necessary Parties to the Application for Permit or Exemption

 

A permit or exemption shall be obtained prior to the acquisition of major medical equipment or to the construction or modification of a health care facility [20 ILCS 3960/5].  The following persons shall be the applicants for permit or exemption, as applicable:

 

a)         For construction or modification projects (including projects to establish or change the ownership of health care facilities and including projects to acquire major medical equipment by or on behalf of health care facilities) of one or more existing or proposed health care facilities:

 

1)         the person who will hold and who currently (as applicable) holds the license (or Medicare and/or Medicaid certification if licensing is not applicable) for each facility;

 

2)         the person who has final control of the person who will hold or who currently holds (as applicable) the license (or Medicare and/or Medicaid certification if applicable) for each facility;

 

3)         any related person who is or will be financially responsible for guaranteeing or making payments on any debt related to the project; and

 

4)         any other person who actively will be involved in the operation or provision of care and who controls the use of equipment or other capital assets that are components of the project, such as, but not limited to, fixed equipment, mobile equipment, buildings or portions of buildings, structures such as parking garages, etc.

 

b)         For projects to acquire major medical equipment that is not located in a health care facility and that is not being acquired by or on behalf of a health care facility, the applicant must be:

 

1)         the person who is acquiring the equipment; and

 

2)         the person who will be responsible for operation of the proposed equipment; and

 

3)         the person who has final control of the person who is acquiring the equipment or the person who will be responsible for operation of the equipment; and

 

4)         any other person who controls the use of equipment or other capital assets that are components of the project, such as, but not limited to, fixed equipment, mobile equipment, buildings or portions of buildings, structures such as parking garages, etc.

 

HFSRB NOTE:  A person or entity that participates in the management of a health care facility or category of service is not an applicant unless that person or entity possesses the rights or powers specified in the definition of "control" contained in Section 1130.140.

 

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.225  Technical Assistance

 

a)         The application for permit or exemption shall be completed in accordance with the requirements of this Part that are applicable to the project.  An applicant may request technical assistance from or a pre-application conference with HFSRB staff regarding completion of the application and the applicability of the requirements of this Part.

 

b)         Technical assistance may be provided to any person regarding pre-application conferences, the filing of an application, or other request to HFSRB, provided that the communication is not intended to influence any decision on the application.

 

c)         Any assistance shall be documented in writing by the applicant and employees within 10 business days after the assistance is provided. (Section 4.2(d) of the Act)

 

d)         Once an application for permit or exemption is filed and deemed complete, a written record of any communication between staff and an applicant shall be prepared by staff and made part of the public record, using a prescribed format, and shall be included in the application file. (Section 4.2(a) of the Act)

 

e)         Nothing in the Act shall prohibit staff members from providing technical assistance to applicants.  Nothing in the Act shall prohibit staff verifying or clarifying an applicant's information as it prepares the State Board Staff Report. (Section 4.2(a) of the Act)  Staff verification or clarification of an applicant's information is not considered technical assistance.

 

(Source:  Added at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.230  Fees

 

a)         HFSRB staff shall charge and collect an amount determined by the State Board and its staff.  The State Board shall set amounts by rule .  Application fees for continuing care retirement communities and other health care models that include regulated and unregulated components, shall apply only to those components subject to regulation under this Act.  All fees and fines collected under the Act shall be deposited into the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Fund to be used for the expenses of administering the Act. (Section 12.2(2) of the Act)

 

b)         A fee shall be assessed on all matters requiring an application fee (as detailed in other Sections of this Part), except for the following:

 

1)         projects classified as emergency; or

 

2)         projects that are not subject to a fee in accordance with the provisions of Subpart E.

 

c)         Fee payment shall be by check or money order made payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

 

d)         Any matter requiring an application fee shall be declared null and void if payment of the total fee has not been received by HFSRB staff within 30 days after notice of the amount due has been received by an applicant or person requesting action from HFSRB.

 

e)         No action shall be taken by HFSRB on any matter requiring an application fee for which the total required fee has not been received.

 

f)         Fee payments are not refundable and may be recovered in full or in part only by petitioning the Illinois Court of Claims for recovery. (See 705 ILCS 505.)

 

g)         Appeal of any required fee amount is to be made to HFSRB, pursuant to Section 1130.810.

 

h)         Types of Fees

 

1)         Exemption Application Fee

 

A)        Exemptions, other than an exemption for a change of ownership, shall be assessed an application fee of $5,000.

 

B)        An exemption application for a change of ownership of a health care facility between related persons (as defined in Section 1130.140) shall be assessed an application fee of $5,000.

 

C)        All other exemption applications for a change of ownership of a health care facility shall be assessed an application fee of the greater of $5,000 or .22% of the fair market value of the transaction.

 

D)        For projects referenced in subsection (h)(1)(C), the application fee shall not exceed $150,000.

 

2)         CON Permit Application Fee

 

A)        All applicants, except those with projects that are not subject to a fee, are required to submit an application fee. An initial fee of $5,000 shall accompany each application for permit submitted to HFSRB.  When an application is deemed complete, the full amount of the fee shall be determined.

 

B)        Following the determination of estimated total project costs, the application fees are calculated as follows.  For each project having a total estimated project cost of:

 

i)          less than $2,250,000, the application fee shall be $5,000;

 

ii)         at or above $2,250,000, the application fee shall be 0.22% of the project costs.

 

C)        The application fee shall not exceed $150,000.

 

D)        Any modification to an application, extension of financial commitment, permit alteration, permit renewal, and permit relinquishment, as referenced in subsections 3-6 of this Section, shall be assessed an additional fee notwithstanding the application fee referenced in Section 1130.230(h)(2)(C).

 

E)        Once an application is deemed complete, notice for any additional fee balance due will be sent to the applicant.  Notice can be sent via electronic means at dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov.  An applicant will have 30 days (from the date of the notification) to pay the fee.  An application may be declared null and void if the total application fee has not been paid within 30 days after receipt of notice.

 

3)         Modification of an Application for Permit

 

A)        If a modification of an application for permit results in an increase in the total estimated project cost, the application fee shall be recalculated based on the revised estimated project cost.  If the recalculation results in an additional fee, the applicant will be notified.  Notification can be sent via electronic means at dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov.  The applicant will have 30 days (from the date of the notification) to pay the additional fee.  If the additional fee is not received within this 30-day timeframe, the application may be deemed null and void.

 

B)        If a modification results in the need for an additional notification of opportunity for public hearing, an additional fee of $4,000 will be assessed.

 

4)         Extension of Financial Commitment

 

A)        An extension request shall be submitted to the Administrator at least 45 days prior to the financial commitment date and shall be assessed a $1,000 fee. 

 

B)        An extension request that is submitted to the Administrator less than 45 days prior to the financial commitment date shall be assessed an additional $500 late fee.

 

5)         Permit Renewal

 

A)        A permit renewal request shall be submitted to the Administrator at least 45 days prior to the project completion date and shall be assessed a $1,000 fee.

 

B)        A permit renewal request that is submitted to the Administrator less than 45 days prior to the project completion date shall be assessed an additional $500 late fee.

 

6)         Permit Alterations

 

A)        An alteration request shall be submitted to the Administrator at least 45 days prior to the project completion date and assessed a fee.  For an alteration request that does not increase the total project cost, the fee shall be $1,000.  For an alteration request that increases the total project cost, the fee shall be the greater of $1,000 or .22% of the increase in the total project cost.  In no event shall the fee exceed $50,000.

 

B)        If HFSRB does not receive the alteration request at least 45 days prior to the project completion date, the application will be assessed an additional $500 late fee. 

 

7)         Relinquishment of a Permit or Exemption

 

A)        Any relinquishment undertaken without prior HFSRB approval shall be considered a violation of the Act and shall be subject to the sanctions and penalties in Section 14.1 of the Act and in Section 1130.790.

 

B)        A request for relinquishment shall be assessed an fee of $1,000.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.240  Reporting and Notification Requirements

 

HFSRB shall require health care facilities to provide periodic reports, data, and information as needed to carry out the purposes and provisions of the Act [20 ILCS 3960/13].  Information required to be submitted to HFSRB includes, but is not limited to, reports on capital expenditures, facility and service utilization data, facility bed-capacity information, notices of hospital reductions in services, and any temporary suspensions of service.

 

a)         Annual Report of Capital Expenditures

Each health care facility shall submit an annual report of capital expenditures as part of the annual health care facility questionnaires issued by HFSRB.  (See Section 5.3 of the Act.)

 

b)         Health Planning Information

HFSRB shall require all health care facilities operating in the State to provide information for the purpose of fulfilling the purposes, provisions and responsibilities specified in the Act.  (See Section 13 of the Act.)  These reports may be on an annual or other basis.

 

c)         Notice of Hospital Reduction of 50% or More in Health Care Services

Each hospital is required to notify the State Board, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and the State Senator and 2 State Representatives representing the legislative district in which the hospital is located, of a reduction in services of 50% or more, within 30 days after that reduction [20 ILCS 3960/12.4].  Reporting shall include the identification of the service, reasons for reduction and anticipated duration (permanent or temporary).  Reduction of 50% or more is determined by the following:

 

1)         If the reduction is in a bed category of service, reduction is determined by the number of physically available beds as compared to the authorized number of beds stated in the Inventory of Health Care Facilities as updated, or the number of staffed beds reported in the Annual Hospital Questionnaire;

 

2)         If the reduction is in a non-bed category of service (i.e., cardiac surgery, cardiac catheterization, organ transplantation, etc.), reduction is determined when the physical number of procedure rooms, stations or equipment necessary to provide that service is reduced by 50% or more, or the number of clinical staff and/or hours of operation is reduced by 50% or more.

 

A)        If reduction does not reduce the number of procedures by 50% or more, the notification is required only to HFSRB, certifying that the reduction will not reduce the number of procedures performed by 50% or more.

 

B)        If the reduction is temporary for the purpose of maintenance or equipment repair, notification is required to HFSRB only, with a timetable to restore the service.

 

d)         Temporary Suspension of Facility or Category of Service

A facility that ceased operation or that ceased to provide a category of service due to unanticipated or unforeseen circumstances (such as the loss of appropriate staff or a natural or unnatural disaster) shall file notice to HFSRB of a temporary suspension of service that is anticipated to exceed 30 days.  The notice shall be filed no later than 30 days after the suspension of the service, and shall include a detailed explanation of the reasons for the suspension, as well as the efforts being made to correct the circumstance and a timetable to reopen the service.  Reports documenting the progress of corrections must be filed every 30 days thereafter until services resume.  Temporary suspensions shall not exceed one year unless otherwise approved by HFSRB.

 

e)         Failure to Provide Required or Requested Information

A health care facility or person violates the Act if he or she fails to timely or completely comply with the notice and information requirements in the Act and this Section (see 20 ILCS 3960/13 and 14.1).  This person is subject to the sanctions provided in the Act and Section 1130.790.

 

f)         Changes in a Health Care Facility's Bed Capacity

 

1)         "Change in the Bed Count of a Health Care Facility" means a change in a health care facility's authorized bed capacity, including reductions, increases with permit or allowable increases without permit.  A permit or exemption shall be obtained prior to the construction or modification of a health care facility which changes the bed capacity of a health care facility by:

 

A)        increasing the total number of beds; or

 

B)        distributing beds among various categories of service; or

 

C)        relocating beds from one physical facility to another by more than 20 beds or 10% of total bed capacity as defined by the State Board Inventory, whichever is less, over a 2-year period.  [20 ILCS 3960/5]

 

2)         Projects proposing the establishment or discontinuation of a bed category of service are classified as substantive projects, with a 60-day review period. (See Section 1110.40(c).)

 

3)         A health care facility that reduces bed capacity, or adds bed capacity without a permit, as specified by the Act, shall notify HFSRB and IDPH of that change.  Such a change is limited to once every two years beginning on the date when the additional beds become operational.  If the facility has already changed its bed capacity through a permit process, then the facility may not add any more beds in those services affected by the permit for two years from the date that those beds established by permit become operational without obtaining an additional permit from HFSRB. 

 

4)         Emergency Preparedness Response Report

 

A)        A health care facility that temporarily increases bed capacity to accommodate extraordinary needs in the service population due to pandemic events and other disasters shall submit written notification of the increase to HFSRB within 30 days after the bed increase decision. The notification shall include:

 

i)          the number of beds increased;

 

ii)         a detailed description of conditions necessitating the bed capacity increase;

 

iii)        the impact on normal admission activity;

 

iv)        the anticipated length of time the increase is needed, indicating the prospective date when beds will be taken out of circulation; and

 

v)         the signature of a senior representative of the health care facility, verifying the information in the report.

 

B)        The facility shall submit written notification to HFSRB, indicating the date that the temporary bed capacity has been taken out of circulation.  This notification shall be received by HFSRB within 30 days after the date that the facility's normal bed capacity was resumed.

 

g)         Change in Name or Change in Legal Status

A change in a facility's legal name or a facility's legal status (i.e., a corporate reorganization) that does not constitute a change of ownership, as defined in Section 1130.140, is to be reported to HFSRB within 90 days after occurrence.

 

h)         Notice of New Services Added to Multi-Specialty ASTCs

 

1)         Multi-specialty ASTCs adding new services shall

notify HFSRB of the services being added and the effective date of those services.  The notification of each new service added shall be submitted to HFSRB no later than 30 days after the service addition.  Beginning January 1, 2018, multi-specialty ASTCs seeking to add additional ASTC services shall apply for a CON permit pursuant to the provisions of Section 1110.1540.

 

2)         Multi-specialty ASTCs that, as a condition of CON permit issuance, agreed to apply for CON permits when adding services, shall continue to apply for CON permits when adding new services.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.250  HFSRB Meetings

 

a)         General Guidelines

 

1)         This Section pertains to formal HFSRB meetings and does not apply to other HFSRB-sponsored meetings, including public hearings or rules development meetings.

 

2)         HFSRB meetings can be held anywhere throughout  Illinois, as determined by the HFSRB Chair or a majority of HFSRB members.

 

3)         Special HFSRB meetings that are not previously scheduled and are publically known can be held only if the HFSRB Chair or a majority of HFSRB members determines that a special HFSRB meeting should be scheduled.

 

4)         All HFSRB meetings shall comply with the Open Meetings Act and be conducted using Roberts Rules of Order.

 

5)         Only permit or exemption applicants and their staff, attorneys or consultants can testify at an HFSRB meeting during the time that their application is being considered by the Board.  Other individuals attempting to be heard at an HFSRB meeting outside the public participation period will be declared out of order.

 

6)         All HFSRB meetings will be conducted as efficiently as possible.

Extraneous or irrelevant discussions occurring during an HFSRB meeting will be avoided.  The HFSRB Chair or a majority of Board members can designate time limits on any or all of HFSRB meeting agenda items.

 

7)         Applicants and their representatives are able to respond to all questions and statements made by Board members at the time of Board consideration of the applicant's project.  The entire proceedings of every HFSRB meeting are transcribed by a court reporter and this transcript will serve as the administrative record of the HFSRB meeting.

 

b)         Validity of Comments

 

1)         Written comments filed with HFSRB or oral statements made under oath to HFSRB under any HFSRB matter that are subsequently found to be false or inaccurate will serve as a basis for an HFSRB investigation of the matter.

 

2)         HFSRB may require the person who made the false or inaccurate comments or statements to appear before the Board.  HFSRB may censure that person.  Further, HFSRB may determine that person to be ineligible to provide written comments or oral statements concerning any future Board considerations.

 

c)         Presentation of  New Information

 

1)         HFSRB will not accept any new information presented by applicants or any of their representatives concerning an application during the HFSRB meeting at which the application is being considered by the Board.

 

2)         Submission of new information is acceptable under the following conditions:

 

A)        An application is deferred by the applicant or HFSRB (see Section 1130.650).

 

B)        An application receives an Intent to Deny following HFSRB consideration and action (see Section 1130.670).

 

C)        An applicant is responding to statements made during the public participation period of the HFSRB meeting at which the applicant's project is being considered.

 

3)         Any new information that is pertinent to an application and allowable shall be submitted in writing to HFSRB staff within the allowable time frames established in this Part (see Sections 1130.650 and 1130.670).

 

4)         Applicants shall submit allowable new information to HFSRB in writing, on 8½" by 11" paper.

 

5)         Applicants shall only submit new information by a recognized overnight carrier or personal delivery service.

 

6)         New information submitted by email or fax will not be accepted.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.310  Projects or Transactions Subject to the Act

 

a)         Projects or Transactions that Require a Permit

A person must obtain a permit prior to establishing, constructing or modifying a health care facility, and prior to acquiring major medical equipment, unless an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit has been issued in accordance with the provisions of Subpart D and Subpart E.  A project or transaction that is not exempt is subject to review and requires a permit if the project or transaction:

 

1)         requires a total capital expenditure in excess of the capital expenditure minimum.  In determining the total capital expenditure, all costs (including the fair market value of assets acquired by lease or other means) that under generally accepted accounting principles are not properly chargeable as expenses of operation and maintenance, must be included even if any of such costs are not capitalized for reimbursement or other purposes. All capital expenditure minimums shall be annually adjusted upon the date established by the Act to reflect the increase in construction costs due to inflation.  The basis for the adjustment shall be the latest annual inflation rate as reflected in the Means Cost Data (RSMeans Company, Inc., 700 Longwater Drive, Norwell MA 02061).  The revised minimums shall be published on HFSRB's internet site (www.hfsrb.illinois.gov);

 

2)         substantially changes the scope or changes the functional operation of the facility as defined in Section 1130.140;

 

3)         results in the establishment of a health care facility as defined in Section 1130.140;

 

4)         changes the bed capacity of a health care facility as specified in the Act and Section 1130.240(f);

 

5)         involves a change of ownership, unless an exemption has been issued in accordance with the provisions of Subpart D and Subpart E;

 

6)         results in the discontinuation of an entire health care facility or category of service (see Section 1130.140), unless an exemption has been issued in accordance with the provisions of Subpart D and Subpart E; or

 

7)         involves the acquisition of major medical equipment.

 

b)         Components of a Project or Transaction

In determining the elements of a transaction or a project subject to the Act, the following factors apply:

 

1)         Components of construction or modification that are interdependent must be grouped together.  Interdependence occurs when components of construction or modification are architecturally and/or programmatically interrelated to the extent that undertaking one or more of the components compels the other components to be undertaken.

 

2)         Unless otherwise interdependent, or submitted as one project by the applicant, components of construction or modification undertaken by means of a single construction contract or financed through the issuance of a single debt instrument shall not be grouped together as one project. [20 ILCS 3960/3]

 

3)         Projects involving acquisition of equipment that are linked with construction for the provision of a service cannot be segmented.  A health service linkage exists when all components must be present for a service to be operational, or when financing is obtained at one time for a series of related components.

 

4)         Components under an application for permit shall be for a single health care facility unless the components are interdependent among multiple facilities.

 

c)         Prohibition on Splitting or Separating Components of a Project or Transaction

 

1)         No health care facility or other person proposing a project or transaction that is subject to the Act shall split what should properly be considered a single capital expenditure into discrete components undertaken during a fiscal year to evade the capital expenditure review threshold.

 

2)         No health care facility or other person proposing a project or transaction that is subject to the Act shall separate portions of a single project into components, including, but not limited to, site, facility, and equipment, to evade the capital expenditure review threshold or other requirements of the Act or HFSRB rules.

 

d)         Examples of Projects or Transactions Subject to the Act

Examples of projects that constitute construction or modification of a health care facility subject to the Act include:

 

1)         Projects located within a licensed or certified health care facility;

 

2)         Projects that result in a health care facility:

 

A)        Billing for services provided by the proposed project;

 

B)        Capitalizing any portion of the proposed project;

 

C)        Receiving reimbursement for services provided by the proposed project; or

 

D)        Receiving recognition as the provider of the proposed service by third party payors;

 

3)         Projects that are staffed or operated by the health care facility;

 

4)         Projects that are otherwise of, by, through or on behalf of a health care facility;

 

5)         Projects that provide a category of service as defined in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1100 that are offered or made available on a regular basis to inpatients or outpatients of a health care facility.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.410  Projects or Transactions Exempt from Permit Requirement

 

The following proposed projects and transactions are not subject to the requirement to obtain a permit, provided that an application for exemption is submitted that meets the requirements of this Subpart D and Subpart E and an exemption is issued by HFSRB:

 

a)         the change of ownership of an existing health care facility.  This is not applicable to a healthcare facility that is licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act (with the exceptions of facilities operated by a county or Illinois Veterans Home) [20 ILCS 3960/3].

 

b)         the discontinuation of an existing health care facility or of a category of service, other than a health care facility maintained by the State or any agency or department thereof or a nursing home maintained by a county [20 ILCS 3960/6].

 

c)         a proposed project limited to the establishment or expansion of a neonatal intensive care service or beds as specified in Subpart E.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.500  General Requirements for Exemptions

 

Only those projects specified in Section 1130.410 are eligible for exemption from permit requirements.  Persons that have initiated or completed such projects without obtaining an exemption are in violation of the provisions of the Act and are subject to the penalties and sanctions of the Act and Section 1130.790.

 

a)         Application for Exemption

Any persons proposing a project for an exemption to permit requirements shall submit to HFSRB an application for exemption containing the information required by this Subpart, submit an application fee (if a fee is required), and receive approval from HFSRB.

 

b)         General Information Requirements

The application for exemption shall include the following information and any additional information specified in this Subpart:

 

1)         the name and address of the applicant or applicants (see Section 1130.220);

 

2)         the name and address of the health care facility;

 

3)         a description of the project, e.g., change of ownership, discontinuation, increase in dialysis stations;

 

4)         documentation from the Illinois Secretary of State that the applicant is registered to conduct business in Illinois and is in good standing or, if the applicant is not required to be registered to conduct business in Illinois, evidence of authorization to conduct business in other states;

 

5)         a description of the applicant's organization structure, including a listing of controlling or subsidiary persons;

 

6)         the estimated project cost, including the fair market value of any component and the sources and uses of funds;

 

7)         the anticipated project completion date;

 

8)         verification that the applicant has fulfilled all compliance requirements with all existing permits that have been approved by HFSRB; and

 

9)         the application-processing fee.

 

HFSRB NOTE:  If a person or project cannot meet the requirements of exemption, then an application for permit may be filed.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.510  Requirements for Exemptions Involving the Acquisition of Major Medical Equipment (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.520  Requirements for Exemptions Involving the Change of Ownership of a Health Care Facility

 

a)         Submission of Application for Exemption

Prior to acquiring or entering into a contract to acquire an existing health care facility, a person shall submit an application for exemption to HFSRB, submit the required application-processing fee (see Section 1130.230) and receive approval from HFSRB.

 

b)         Application for Exemption

The application for exemption is subject to approval under Section 1130.560 and shall include the information required by Section 1130.500 and the following information:

 

1)         Key terms of the transaction, including the:

 

A)        names of the parties;

 

B)        background of the parties, which shall include proof that the applicant is fit, willing, able, and has the qualifications, background and character to adequately provide a proper standard of health service for the community by certifying that no adverse action has been taken against the applicant by the federal government, licensing or certifying bodies, or any other agency of the State of Illinois against any health care facility owned or operated by the applicant, directly or indirectly, within three years preceding the filing of the application;

 

C)        structure of the transaction;

 

D)        name of the person who will be the licensed or certified entity after the transaction;

 

E)        list of the ownership or membership interests in such licensed or certified entity both prior to and after the transaction, including a description of the applicant's organizational structure with a listing of controlling or subsidiary persons;

 

F)         fair market value of assets to be transferred; and

 

G)        the purchase price or other forms of consideration to be provided for those assets. [20 ILCS 3960/8.5(a)]

 

HFSRB NOTE: If the transaction is not completed according to the key terms submitted in the exemption application, a new application is required.

 

2)         affirmation that any projects for which permits have been issued have been completed or will be completed or altered in accordance with the provisions of this Section;

 

3)         if the ownership change is for a hospital, affirmation that the facility will not adopt a more restrictive charity care policy than the policy that was in effect one year prior to the transaction.  The hospital must provide affirmation that the compliant charity care policy will remain in effect for a two-year period following the change of ownership transaction;

 

4)         a statement as to the anticipated benefits of the proposed changes in ownership to the community;

 

5)         the anticipated or potential cost savings, if any, that will result for the community and the facility because of the change in ownership;

 

6)         a description of the facility's quality improvement program mechanism that will be utilized to assure quality control;

 

7)         a description of the selection process that the acquiring entity will use to select the facility's governing body;

 

8)         a statement that the applicant has prepared a written response addressing the review criteria contained in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110.240 and that the response is available for public review on the premises of the health care facility; and

 

9)         a description or summary of any proposed changes to the scope of services or levels of care currently provided at the facility that are anticipated to occur within 24 months after acquisition.

 

c)         Application for Exemption Among Related Persons

When a change of ownership is among related persons, and there are no other changes being proposed at the health care facility that would otherwise require a permit or exemption under the Act, the applicant shall submit an application consisting of a standard notice in a form set forth by the Board briefly explaining the reasons for the proposed change of ownership. [20 ILCS 3960/8.5(a)]

 

d)         Opportunity for Public Hearing

Upon a finding by HFSRB staff that an application for a change of ownership is complete, the State Board staff shall publish a legal notice on one day in a newspaper of general circulation in the area or community to be affected and afford the public an opportunity to request a hearing. If the application is for a facility located in a Metropolitan Statistical Area, an additional legal notice shall be published in a newspaper of limited circulation, if one exists, in the area in which the facility is located. If the newspaper of limited circulation is published on a daily basis, the additional legal notice shall be published on one day.  The applicant shall pay the cost incurred by the Board in publishing the change of ownership notice in the newspaper as required under this subsection.  The legal notice shall also be posted on Health Facilities and Services Review Board web site and sent to the State Representative and State Senator of the district in which the health care facility is located. [20 ILCS 3960/8.5(a)]  This legal notice shall provide the following:

 

1)         Name of applicants and addresses;

 

2)         Name of facility and address;

 

3)         Description of the proposed project and estimated total cost;

 

4)         Notice of request for public hearing;

 

5)         Notice of tentative HFSRB meeting and location; and

 

6)         Notice of tentative release of the State Board Staff Report and the time to comment on the State Board Staff Report.  See HFSRB website (www.hfsrb.illinois.gov).

 

e)         Completion of Projects with Outstanding Permits

 

1)         A permit or exemption cannot be transferred.

 

2)         In connection with a change of ownership, the State Board may approve the transfer of an existing permit without regard to whether the permit to be transferred has yet been obligated, except for permits establishing a new facility or a new category of service. (see 20 ILCS 3960/6(b).)

 

3)         If the requirements of this subsection (e) are not met, any outstanding permit will be considered a transfer of the permit and results in the permit being null and void.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.525  Requirements for Exemptions Involving the Discontinuation of a Health Care Facility or Category of Service

 

a)         Submission of Application for Exemption

Prior to any person discontinuing a health care facility or category of service, the person shall submit an application for exemption to the HFSRB, submit the required application-processing fee (see Section 1130.230), and receive approval from HFSRB.

 

b)         Application for Exemption

The application for exemption is subject to approval under Section 1130.560, and shall include a written response addressing the review criteria contained in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110.130. The application shall be available for review on the premises of the health care facility.

 

c)         Opportunity for Public Hearing

Upon a finding that an application to close a health care facility is complete, the State Board shall publish a legal notice on 3 consecutive days in a newspaper of general circulation in the area or community to be affected and afford the public an opportunity to request a hearing. If the application is for a facility located in a Metropolitan Statistical Area, an additional legal notice shall be published in a newspaper of limited circulation, if one exists, in the area in which the facility is located. If the newspaper of limited circulation is published on a daily basis, the additional legal notice shall be published on 3 consecutive days. The legal notice shall also be posted on the Health Facilities and Services Review Board's web site and sent to the State Representative and State Senator of the district in which the health care facility is located. [20 ILCS 3960/8.5(a-3)]

 

(Source:  Added at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.530  Requirements for Exemptions Involving Health Maintenance Organizations (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 19 Ill. Reg. 2972, effective March 1, 1995)

 

Section 1130.531  Requirements for Exemptions for the Establishment or Expansion of Neonatal Intensive Care Service and Beds

 

a)         Application for Exemption

The application for exemption is subject to approval under Section 1130.560 and shall include the information required by Section 1130.500, as well as the following information:

 

1)         A description of the project that identifies the location of the neonatal intensive care unit and the number of neonatal intensive care beds proposed;

 

2)         Verification that a final cost report will be submitted to the Agency no later than 90 days following the anticipated project completion date;

 

3)         Verification that failure to complete the project within the 24 months after the Board approved the exemption will invalidate the exemption.

 

b)         Extension of Exemption

The exemption holder can request an extension.  To receive the extension, the exemption holder must show that the project has proceeded with due diligence.

 

(Source:  Former Section repealed at 39 Ill. Reg. 6347, effective June 1, 2015, and new Section added at 41 Ill. Reg. 2043, effective February 2, 2017)

 

Section 1130.539  Requirements for Exemptions Involving the Establishment of Positron Emission Tomography (P.E.T.) Service (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 27 Ill. Reg. 2976, effective February 21, 2003)

 

Section 1130.540  Requirements for Exemptions Involving Discontinuation (Repealed)

 

 (Source:  Repealed at 39 Ill. Reg. 6347, effective June 1, 2015)

 

Section 1130.541  Requirements for Exemptions for Combined Facility Licensure (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.542  Requirements for Exemptions for Temporary Use of Beds for Demonstration Programs (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 30 Ill. Reg. 14852, effective September 1, 2006)

 

Section 1130.543  Requirements for Exemption for Equipment to be Acquired By or on Behalf of a Health Care Facility (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 27 Ill. Reg. 2976, effective February 21, 2003)

 

Section 1130.544  Requirements for Exemption for the Addition of Dialysis Stations (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.550  Agency Processing of an Application for Exemption

 

a)         Application for Exemption Form

Applicants for an exemption are required to submit a completed exemption application form, which is available from the HFSRB website at https://hfsrb.illinois.gov/con-program.html. Once completed, the form shall be submitted to the HFSRB principal office, located at 525 W. Jefferson Street, 2^nd Floor, Springfield, IL  62761 or electronically to dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov.

 

b)         Completeness

HFSRB staff shall review an application for exemption to determine whether all required information and fees have been submitted.  Applications that do not contain the required information, documentation, or fee shall be deemed incomplete.  If HFSRB staff deems the application incomplete, they shall notify the applicant of the reasons within 30 days after receipt.  The incomplete determination can be sent to the applicant via electronic means at dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov.  The applicant shall submit the information or fee within 30 days after receiving the notice.  Failure to submit the requested information or fee shall result in the application for exemption being voided with the loss of all fees paid.

 

HFSRB NOTE:  Persons who have initiated or completed projects eligible for exemption without obtaining an exemption are in violation of the Act and are subject to the penalties and sanctions provided in the Act and Section 1130.790.

 

c)         Submission to Chairman of HFSRB

Following HFSRB staff review, applications (including related documentation) that comply with all HFSRB requirements and are unopposed shall be forwarded to the Chairman for review and action. If the Chairman is unavailable, the application and related documentation will be sent to the Vice Chairman.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.560  HFSRB Action

 

a)         Action by Chairman

The Chairman, acting on behalf of HFSRB, shall review all applications for exemption and approve, deny, or refer the application or material change to HFSRB for review and action.

 

1)         The chairman shall act on an exemption application for a change of ownership among related persons within 45 days after HFSRB staff deems the application complete, provided the application includes the requisite information.  If the Board Chair has a conflict of interest or for other good cause, the Chair may request that the Board consider the application.  [20 ILCS 3960/8.5(a)]

 

2)         The Chair shall act upon an  exemption application for the discontinuation of a health care facility, discontinuation of a category of service, or change of ownership that is not among related persons after Board staff finds that the application is complete and includes the requested information.  The Chair may refer the application to the Board.

 

b)         Action by HFSRB

 

1)         HFSRB shall evaluate each application for exemption referred by the Chairman and either issue an exemption or advise the applicant or exemption holder in writing that the application is denied and is not in conformance with exemption requirements.  The number of affirmative votes for approval of an application for exemption is specified in the Act.  HFSRB shall approve an application for exemption that it determines to be in compliance with the requirements.  Exemptions will not be issued for projects that have failed to meet the applicable requirements of this Subpart. 

 

2)         HFSRB will defer consideration of an application for exemption when the application is the subject of litigation, until all litigation related to the application has been completed.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.570  Validity of an Exemption and Reporting Requirements

 

a)         A project that has received an exemption shall be completed on or before the completion date approved by HFSRB or mandated by the Act and this Part.  An exemption shall be valid through completion provided the requirements of this Section are met.

 

b)         For purposes of this Section, "completion" occurs on the following date:

 

1)         for change of ownership of a health care facility, the date that a new license has been issued (or, if licensing is not applicable, Medicare and/or Medicaid certification has been obtained), or a stock transfer has been accomplished, or a majority change in voting membership or sponsorship of a not-for-profit corporation has been accomplished, or the transfer of assets has occurred, or the merger or consolidation has been accomplished, whichever is applicable;

 

2)         for discontinuations, the date the entire health care facility or category of service ceases operation, such as when the facility stops providing services to patients or surrenders its license to the Department.

 

c)         The exemption holder shall provide written notice and related documentation to HFSRB of the following:

 

1)         for discontinuations, notice of project completion no later than 90 days following the project completion date;

 

2)         for changes of ownership in which the applicant submitted key terms of the transaction, certification that the transaction was or was not completed according to the key terms contained in the application.  The exemption holder must submit the certification within 90 days after the closing date of the transaction; and

 

3)         for changes of ownership in which the applicant submitted the final transaction documents, notice of project completion, no later 90 days after the change of ownership.

 

d)         An exemption for a change of ownership of a health care facility shall be invalid if the health care facility ceases to be an existing health care facility.

 

e)         When an applicant has submitted key terms of the transaction rather than final transaction documents, an exemption for a change of ownership of a health care facility shall be invalid if the exemption holder fails to submit a statement to the Board within 90 days after the closing date of the transaction, or such longer period as provided by the Board, certifying that the change of ownership has been completed in accordance with the key terms contained in the application. If such key terms of the transaction change, a new application is required. [20 ILCS 3960/8.5(a)]

 

f)         Other events causing an exemption to become invalid include:

 

1)         Change of permit (see Section 1130.710(c));

 

2)         Failure to submit the Expenditure Commitment or Financial Commitment Report, which should be included with the annual progress reports;

 

3)         Failure to submit annual progress reports to HFSRB;

 

4)         Failure to submit Final Cost Reports to HFSRB;

 

5)         Implementation of a prohibited alteration (see Section 1130.750(c)); and

 

6)         Relinquishment of an exemption without Board approval.

 

g)         The State Board may approve the transfer of an existing permit without regard to whether the permit to be transferred has yet been obligated, except for permits establishing a new facility or a new category of service. [20 ILCS 3960/6(b)]

 

h)         Failure to comply with the requirements of this Section within the specified time frames shall subject the exemption holder to the sanctions and penalties provided by the Act (see 20 ILCS 3960/14.1) and Section 1130.790.

 

HFSRB NOTE:  See Section 1130.520 regarding changes of ownership for facilities with outstanding permits.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.580  Relinquishment of an Exemption

 

The holder of an HFSRB exemption may request to withdraw that exemption.  The relinquishment request requires an application to and approval by HFSRB for relinquishment.  Upon approval of relinquishment by HFSRB, the exemption is considered null and void.  Requests for relinquishment shall be considered only for exemptions that are current and valid.  Requests shall be filed with HFSRB prior to the completion date of the exemption.

 

a)         Relinquishment Procedure

The permit holder shall notify HFSRB in writing, prior to the execution of the withdrawal of a project.  The notice shall include:

 

1)         A description of the exemption and related costs;

 

2)         A detailed explanation of the reasons for relinquishment; and

 

3)         If the approval of the permit or exemption was based upon need, an explanation of how that need will be met in absence of the project.

 

b)         HFSRB staff shall review the request for relinquishment and prepare a report of its findings.  HFSRB staff findings and all related documentation shall be sent to the Chairman.  The Chairman, acting on behalf of HFSRB, shall approve the request or refer it to the full Board for action.  The approval or denial of a request for relinquishment constitutes HFSRB's final administrative decision.

 

c)         Upon approval of a request for relinquishment, HFSRB staff shall adjust all inventories accordingly.

 

d)         Decisions on requests for relinquishment shall be transmitted in writing to the exemption holder.

 

e)         Any relinquishment undertaken without prior HFSRB approval shall be considered a violation of the Act and shall be subject to the sanctions and penalties in the Act (see 20 ILCS 3960/14.1) and in Section 1130.790.

 

f)         A request for relinquishment shall be assessed an application-processing fee of $1,000 (see Section 1130.230(h)(8)(B)).

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.590  Revocation of an Exemption

 

a)         HFSRB shall revoke an exemption upon a determination that an exemption  holder has failed to comply with the requirements of the Act and this Part.  The determination may be based upon, but not limited by, any of the following reasons:

 

1)         The project for which the exemption was granted has been altered without the required notice and approval of HFSRB;

 

2)         The exemption holder has failed to complete the project on or before the completion date;

 

3)         The exemption holder or applicant materially changed information or details submitted in the exemption application or in any written materials submitted to HFSRB;  

 

4)         The permit holder or applicant submitted false information in the Application for Exemption or in any written materials submitted to HFSRB;

 

5)         The permit holder or applicant misrepresented information presented at an HFSRB meeting, at an HFSRB public hearing, or in response to HFSRB or HFSRB staff inquiries;

 

6)         The exemption holder or applicant has been convicted of any of the following crimes during the previous five years.  The convictions shall be verified by a certified copy of the court of conviction.

 

A)        A felony;

 

B)        Two or more misdemeanors involving moral turpitude;

 

7)         The exemption holder, applicant, or health care facility representative has refused to allow an inspection or survey of the health care facility by HFSRB representatives (i.e., IDPH surveyors);

 

8)         The facility has insufficient financial or other resources to operate the facility in accordance with the exemption application or with any other information submitted to HFSRB;

 

9)         The facility's license has been revoked by IDPH.

 

b)         If HFSRB intends to revoke an exemption, the exemption holder shall be provided with written notification of the intent to revoke and notice of allegations.  The exemption holder shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing before an administrative law judge.  HFSRB may also impose other sanctions or penalties mandated in the Act (see 20 ILCS 3960/14.1) and Section 1130.790, including fines, in addition to the revocation determination.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.610  Duration of the Review Period and Time Frames

 

a)         Emergency Applications

Initial application for emergency projects (as defined in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110.40) may be made verbally or in writing or by electronic means to the Administrator.  The Administrator, upon receiving the concurrence of the Chairman (or in the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman) that the situation is emergent in nature in accordance with the provisions of 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110.40, is authorized to give verbal approval.  Any such communications shall be followed by a written application and written approval.  This procedure is exempt from the public hearing requirements of the Act [20 ILCS 3960/12].  The written application shall identify the applicant and shall summarize the nature of the problem the emergency project will correct and the anticipated cost of the project.

 

b)         Substantive and Non-substantive Applications

The review period for HFSRB staff shall be a minimum of 30 days following the application's completeness date and shall not exceed 60 days for non-substantive projects and 120 days for substantive projects, with the exception of projects proposing to establish or discontinue a category of service, which shall be reviewed by the Board within 60 days [20 ILCS 3960/12], and applications for changes of ownership among related persons, which shall be acted upon by the Board Chair within 45 days.  If the Board Chair has a conflict of interest or for other good cause, the Chair may request review by the Board. [20 ILCS 3960/8.5(a)]  The review period can be extended pursuant to the provisions of this Subpart.  All applications other than emergency applications shall be acted upon by HFSRB at the next regularly scheduled meeting that is at least 10 business days following the completion of the HFSRB staff review.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.620  Classification, Completeness Review, and Review Procedures

 

a)         Classification of an Application

An application for permit shall be classified as substantive, non-substantive, or emergency (see 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110.20).

 

b)         Application Submission and Completeness Review

 

1)         Applicants are required to submit an application that addresses all applicable review criteria and required supporting documentation (as defined in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1100, 1110, 1120, and 1125).  Applications are available at https://hfsrb.illinois.gov/con-program.html.  Applications shall be submitted to HFSRB at 525 West Jefferson Street, 2^nd Floor, Springfield, IL  62761 or electronically at dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov.

 

2)         If an application is submitted electronically to HFSRB, the electronic signature of the authorized representative shall fulfill the signature and certification requirements of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and Section 1130.140.

 

3)         Within 10 business days after receiving an application for permit, HFSRB staff shall determine whether the application is substantially complete and ready to be reviewed for compliance with applicable review criteria and standards.  The completeness review shall be conducted with the understanding that additional information may be necessary during the staff-review period for criteria compliance, to further clarify or explain statements or data in the application.  An application for any project shall be deemed complete if all the following have been met:

 

A)        all review criteria applicable to the project have been addressed, including the Safety Net Impact Statement (see 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110.110(c)).  The Safety Net Impact Statement requirement does not apply to skilled and intermediate long-term care facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act (see Section 5.4(a) of the Act);

 

B)        the required fee (see Section 1130.230) has been submitted;

 

C)        the number of copies required by the application form have been submitted and the format prescribed by the application form has been followed;

 

D)        all annual progress reports on previously approved projects for the facility and/or applicants have been submitted;

 

E)        all required information concerning completion of previously approved projects for the facility and/or applicants has been submitted;

 

F)         the cost of the equipment to be acquired has been provided if the project contains major medical equipment;

 

G)        all persons who are applicants have been identified and the applicants that hold the license and that will operate the facility have provided documentation from the Illinois Secretary of State that the applicant is registered to conduct business in Illinois and is in good standing or, if the applicant is not required to be registered to conduct business in Illinois, evidence of authorization to conduct business in other states;

 

H)        all HFSRB requests and questionnaires for information or data for all Illinois facilities owned or operated by any applicant, such as but not limited to the Annual Hospital or Long-term Care Questionnaire (77 Ill. Adm. Code 1100.60 and 1100.70), Cancer Registry (77 Ill. Adm. Code 840.110(d) and 840.115(i)), and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Reporting System (77 Ill. Adm. Code 840.210(a)) have been received and are complete;

 

I)         any pending litigation involving the applicant and/or facility have been identified;

 

J)         any adverse actions taken against the applicant by the federal government, licensing or certifying bodies, or any other agency of the State of Illinois against any health care facility owned or operated by the applicant, directly or indirectly, within three years preceding the filing of the application have been identified;

 

K)        the applicant has verified that compliance requirements with all existing permits approved by HFSRB have been fulfilled;

 

L)        compliance with the Flood Plain Rule under Illinois Executive Order #2006-05 has been documented;

 

M)       compliance with the requirements of the Illinois State Agency Historic Resources Preservation Act has been documented; and

 

N)        the site for the project has been identified.

 

4)         An application shall be deemed incomplete if any of the elements described in subsection (c)(3) are missing or if additional information or documentation is required to clarify a response.  Failure to address an applicable criterion or to respond that an applicable criterion does not apply to the proposed project shall be a basis for deeming the application incomplete.

 

5)         If an application fails to include any of the elements described in subsection (c)(3) or if additional information or documentation is required to clarify a response, the application shall not be scheduled for consideration by HFSRB until the required information is submitted and accepted.

 

6)         Applications received by HFSRB staff after 8:30 a.m. shall be deemed as being received the following business day.

 

7)         During the completeness review period, HFSRB shall notify the applicant in writing or by electronic means at dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov of whether the application is substantially complete and, in the case of an incomplete application, the reasons the application is incomplete.

 

8)         If the application is complete, the completion date shall initiate the review period.  If the application is incomplete, the applicant shall be allowed 45 days after notification to provide all necessary information to complete the application.  Upon receiving all requested information, HFSRB staff shall again review the application for completeness and shall notify the applicant of its decision.  If HFSRB staff finds the application remains incomplete at the end of the 45-day response period, the application shall be declared null and void, and all fees paid forfeited.

 

HFSRB NOTE:  The applicant is responsible for assuring that HFSRB receives the requested information within the prescribed time frame.

 

c)         Review Procedures

 

1)         All applications will be reviewed and evaluated for conformance with the applicable review criteria in effect at the time the application is deemed complete.

 

2)         Each application will be reviewed on an individual site basis and no comparative review of applications will occur.

 

3)         Applications for permit shall be subject to the need figures set forth in the most recent update to the Inventory of Health Care Facilities and Services and Need Determinations as adjusted by HFSRB decisions in effect prior to the date HFSRB acts on the application.  HFSRB action includes approval, issuance of an intent to deny, or denial of an application.

 

4)         All applications except emergency applications are subject to the public hearing requirements of the Act.  All evidence submitted at a public hearing shall be considered in the determination of compliance or noncompliance of an application with applicable review criteria.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.630  HFSRB Staff Actions During the Review Period

 

During the course of the review period, HFSRB staff shall:

 

a)         Notify the applicant of completeness and the start of the review period and forward to the applicant the tentatively scheduled date for HFSRB action;

 

b)         Offer an opportunity for a public hearing, provide a period for written comments concerning the proposed project, and when requested, conduct a public hearing;

 

c)         Evaluate the application for compliance with the review criteria applicable to the specific project;

 

d)         Transmit to HFSRB and to the applicant HFSRB's report and findings, the public hearing report, a summary of all written public comment received 20 days prior to the scheduled HFSRB meeting, and written comments that are received within the prescribed time periods established in this Part;

 

e)         Release to the public any written review or findings of the Board staff or any other reviewing organization under Section 8 of the Act concerning the application for permit at least 14 calendar days before the meeting of the State Board at which the review or findings are considered. [20 ILCS 3960/6(c-5)]

 

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.635 Additional Information Provided During the Review Period

 

a)         Additional Information

 

1)         During the review period, HFSRB may request information or data from the applicant or from other persons to clarify the application and conduct the HFSRB staff review. 

 

2)         The applicant may also submit information or data if the information is:

 

A)        due to a modification of the project; or

 

B)        in response to an Intent to Deny, or in response to a request from HFSRB. 

 

3)         All additional information shall be submitted to HFSRB's staff in writing, on 8½" by 11" paper.

 

4)         All additional information shall be submitted within the required time frame established in subsections (b) and (c) and shall be sent only by any recognized overnight courier or personal delivery service.

 

5)         Additional information submitted by fax or email will not be accepted.

 

6)         All additional information shall be made part of and included in the project record.

 

b)         Public Comment Information

Public comment information from persons other than the applicant that were submitted in accordance with the public comment and public hearing provisions of this Part shall not be considered requested or additional information.  The information shall be made part of and included in the project record.

 

c)         Public Response to Staff Review and Findings

The applicant and members of the public may submit, to the State Board, written responses regarding the facts set forth in the review or findings of the Board staff or reviewing organization.  Members of the public shall submit any written response to the staff review and findings at least 10 days before the meeting of the State Board.  The staff may revise any findings to address corrections of factual errors cited in the public response.  At the meeting, the State Board may, in its discretion, permit the submission of other additional written materials. [20 ILCS 3960/6 (c-5)]

 

d)         Ex Parte Information

HFSRB will comply with the requirements of the Act pertaining to ex parte communications.  (See 20 ILCS 3960/4.2.)

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.640  Extension of the Review Period

 

a)         Extension by HFSRB of the Review of Information

As required to complete its review, HFSRB staff may extend the review period for up to 120 days to analyze additional information.  HFSRB will consider the application at the next regularly scheduled meeting that is at least 10 days following the completion of HFSRB review of the additional information.

 

b)         Extension Due to Deferral by Applicant

The applicant may defer consideration of a project by HFSRB.  A deferral extends from the HFSRB meeting at which the project has been scheduled to the next scheduled HFSRB meeting, subject to a review period of up to 60 days for analyzing additional information.  A request for deferral, specifying the reasons for the request, shall be submitted to HFSRB, as follows:

 

1)         Written Request – to be received by HFSRB staff no later than 5 business days prior to the scheduled HFSRB meeting; or

 

2)         Verbal Request – by issuing a formal request to HFSRB during the consideration of the project at the HFSRB meeting.

 

c)         An applicant may not defer:

 

1)         initial consideration of the application by HFSRB to a meeting that is scheduled more than 6 months from the date the application was deemed complete; or

 

2)         HFSRB consideration of an application that has received an Intent to Deny beyond a meeting date that is more than 12 months from the date of HFSRB's decision of Intent to Deny.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.650  Modification of an Application

 

a)         Modifications to an application are allowed during the review period, prior to final HFSRB decision.  Modifications (as defined in Section 1130.140) shall be classified as Type A or Type B.  Type A modifications shall be subject to the public hearing requirements of the Act.  If requested, a hearing would occur within the time allocated for HFSRB staff review.  Type A modifications consist of any of the following:

 

1)         A change in the number of beds proposed in the project.

 

2)         A change in the project site to a new location within the planning area.  A change in site to a location outside the planning area originally identified in the application is not considered a modification.  It voids the application.

 

3)         A change in the cost of the project exceeding 10% of the original estimated project cost.

 

4)         A change in the total gross square footage (GSF) of the project exceeding 10% of the original GSF.

 

5)         An increase in the categories of service to be provided.

 

6)         A change in the person who is the applicant, including the addition of one or more co-applicants to the application.

 

7)         Any modification to a project, including modifications specified in subsections (a)(1) through (a)(6), that, by itself, would require a certificate of need (CON) permit or exemption.

 

b)         All other modifications, including those made by an applicant in conformance with and limited to the comments, recommendations or objections of HFSRB, are Type B modifications and are not subject to public hearing.

 

c)         An applicant can modify a project only twice during the review period; provided, however, an applicant may modify a project at any time if the modification is in conformance with and limited to the comments, recommendations or objections of HFSRB.

 

d)         If a modification is not in conformance with and limited to the comments, recommendations or objections of HFSRB, HFSRB staff shall:

 

1)         have up to 60 days to review the modification and any supplemental information submitted pursuant to the applicable review criteria;

 

2)         hold a public hearing if requested; and

 

3)         submit its findings to HFSRB at the next regularly scheduled meeting that is at least 10 days following the completion of the HFSRB staff review.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.655  HFSRB Consideration and Action

 

a)         Chairman Consideration and Action

Applications for permit that meet all of HFSRB's review criteria and are unopposed shall be:

 

1)         reviewed for approval by the Chairman, acting on behalf of HFSRB [20 ILCS 3960/5]; or

 

2)         referred by the Chairman to the full Board for review and action. 

 

b)         HFSRB Consideration and Action

HFSRB shall review each application for permit to determine compliance with all applicable review criteria.  HFSRB shall consider the application material, additional information, public comment and public hearing testimony, HFSRB staff findings, and other information coming before it and take the following action:

 

1)         approve the application and issue a permit;

 

2)         issue an Intent to Deny (an initial denial of a project);

 

3)         issue an initial denial of a project and afford the applicant an opportunity for an administrative hearing;

 

4)         issue a final denial of a project subsequent to an administrative hearing or waiver of a hearing; or

 

5)         defer the decision to consider an application to a subsequent meeting.  HFSRB deferral of an application shall extend the review period, if it were to otherwise expire, until the date of the subsequent HFSRB meeting. HFSRB may defer consideration of an application for permit when the application is the subject of litigation, until all litigation related to the application is complete.

 

c)         HFSRB Written Decisions

HFSRB shall issue written decisions, upon request of the applicant or an adversely affected party, to the Board within 30 days after the meeting in which the final decision has been made. [20 ILCS 3960/12]

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.660  Approval of an Application

 

a)         The number of affirmative votes required for approval of an application and issuance of a permit by HFSRB is specified in the Act.  HFSRB shall consider the application and any additional information or modification submitted by the applicant, HFSRB staff reports, the public hearing testimony and written comments, if any, and other information coming before it in making its determination whether to approve the project.  Applications are reviewed to determine compliance with review criteria contained in 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110 and 1120.  The failure of a project to meet one or more of the applicable review criteria shall not prohibit the issuance of a permit.  A permit is effective on the date of HFSRB authorization.

 

b)         HFSRB may propose conditions to be placed upon any application for permit.  Projects that are approved with conditions or stipulations shall contain the following:

 

1)         Specified conditions that are expressly agreed to by the applicant;

 

2)         Establishment of time frames for compliance with conditions;

 

3)         Establishment of reporting requirements; and

 

4)         Assurance that any change to the application for permit does not constitute a Type A modification as delineated in Section 1130.650(a) that would require a public hearing.

 

c)         A permit holder's failure to comply with any conditions within the prescribed time frames, without a previously authorized extension, shall provide a basis for HFSRB to invalidate the permit, or issue conditions, fines or other penalties or sanctions mandated in the Act and Section 1130.790.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.670  Intent to Deny an Application

 

a)         Issuance of Intent to Deny

Failure of an application for permit to receive the number of affirmative votes required by the Act upon initial consideration by HFSRB shall constitute an Intent to Deny the application.  After issuing an Intent to Deny, HFSRB will give the applicant an opportunity to appear before HFSRB and present information relevant to the approval of the permit [20 ILCS 3960/10].  The date of the Intent to Deny is the date of the HFSRB meeting when the action occurred.

 

b)         Applicant's Response

The applicant shall notify HFSRB in writing within 14 calendar days after the Intent to Deny to indicate whether the applicant intends to appear before HFSRB and/or submit additional information.  The applicant is responsible for assuring that HFSRB receives the response within 14 days of the Intent to Deny.

 

c)         Action Following Notice of Intent to Deny

 

1)         If the applicant waives the right to appear before HFSRB or if a written response is not received within 14 days after the Intent to Deny, then the application shall be considered withdrawn.

 

2)         If the applicant indicates that no additional information will be submitted, HFSRB shall take action on the application at its next meeting.

 

3)         If the applicant indicates that additional information will be submitted, the applicant shall be afforded 60 days from the date of the Intent to Deny to submit the material. Upon receipt of additional information, HFSRB staff shall commence a review and submit its findings to HFSRB in accordance with the provisions of this Subpart.  HFSRB staff shall be allowed up to 60 days following the receipt of all material to review the material and issue a supplemental report. 

 

d)         Deferrals by Applicant

A project that has received an Intent to Deny and has been scheduled for HFSRB consideration can be deferred by the applicant. A notice of deferral may be provided in writing prior to the scheduled HFSRB meeting or be provided verbally at the HFSRB meeting.  An applicant may not defer HFSRB consideration beyond an HFSRB meeting date that is more than 12 months from the date of the Intent to Deny.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.680  Denial of an Application

 

a)         If, after an Intent to Deny, an application for permit fails to receive the required number of affirmative votes for approval as specified in the Act, the HFSRB vote shall constitute a denial of the application for permit.

 

b)         If HFSRB denies an application for permit, the decision and notice of opportunity for administrative hearing shall be transmitted to the applicant by certified mail.

 

c)         At the conclusion of such administrative hearing, or upon default of the applicant, HFSRB shall make its final administrative decision, specifying its findings of fact and conclusions of law.  The Administrator shall transmit the decision to the applicant by certified mail.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.710  Validity of Permits

 

A permit is effective on the date of HFSRB authorization.

 

a)         A permit shall be valid until the project has been completed, provided that:

 

1)         financial commitment of the project occurs within the time frames specified in the Act, unless HFSRB extends the financial commitment period (as defined in Section 1130.730); and

 

2)         the project commences and proceeds to completion with due diligence.  The financial commitment period shall be extended for any project for which issuance of a permit has been contested and is in administrative review.  The financial commitment period will be extended by the length of time equal to the number of days from the date a summons was received until the date of final disposition of the suit. 

 

b)         Projects shall proceed with due diligence and shall be completed (see Section 1130.140) no later than the completion date approved by HFSRB.  A permit holder shall be subjected to sanctions provided in the Act and Section 1130.790 if the project is not completed by the completion date provided in the original permit or renewal letter.

 

c)         A permit is valid only for the defined construction or modification, equipment, site, amount, time period and persons named in the application for the permit and shall not be transferable or assignable.  A permit is invalidated by:

 

1)         a change in the person who is the permit holder;

 

2)         a change in the membership or sponsorship of a not-for-profit corporation that is the permit holder; or

 

3)         the transfer or assignment of a controlling interest in, or voting rights of, a for-profit corporation that is the permit holder.

 

d)           Other events causing a permit to become invalid include:

 

1)         Change of permit (see Section 1130.710(c));

 

2)         Failure to submit the Expenditure Commitment or Financial Commitment Report, which should be included with the annual progress reports;

 

3)         Failure to submit annual progress reports to HFSRB;

 

4)         Failure to submit Final Cost Reports to HFSRB;

 

5)         Implementation of a prohibited alteration (see Section 1130.750(c));

 

6)         Relinquishment of a permit without Board approval; and

 

7)         Failure to comply with the requirements of Section 1130.660(d).

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.720  Financial Commitment

 

a)         A permit holder shall financially commit projects for construction, establishment or modification by expending or committing to expend at least 33% of the total project cost no later than:

 

1)         24 months for major construction projects; or

 

2)         12 months for all projects that do not include major construction; or

 

3)         The HFSRB completion date of the permit, if it occurs before the deadlines in subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2).

 

b)         Projects that have no cost shall be considered financially committed upon HFSRB issuance of a permit.

 

c)         Permits for projects that have a cost and that have not been financially committed as stated in this Section shall be considered expired and the project abandoned.  A permit holder who fails to meet the financial commitment requirements shall be subject to fines under the Act and Section 1130.790.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.730  Extension of the Financial Commitment Period

 

a)         HFSRB may grant the permit holder a single extension to financially commit at least 33% of the total project costs.  An extension shall be for a period of up to one year from the previously established financial commitment date.

 

b)         The permit holder shall submit a request for extension in writing or by electronic means to dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov, along with an application-processing fee (see Section 1130.230(i)(4)(A)).

 

c)         A request for extension must be received by the Administrator at least 45 days prior to the established financial commitment date.

 

d)         A request for an extension that is received less than 45 days prior to the established financial commitment date shall be accepted by the Administrator but an additional processing fee will be assessed (see Section 1130.230(i)(4)(B)).

 

e)         Any fee paid for a financial extension request is in addition to the initial application fee referenced in Section 1130.230(i)(2)(C).

 

f)         HFSRB review of a financial extension request shall not commence until the required fee has been submitted.

 

g)         Extension requests that are received after the established financial commitment date shall also be subject to the fines provided in Section 14.1 of the Act and Section 1130.790.

 

h)         HFSRB Staff Review

 

1)         HFSRB staff shall review the financial extension request and prepare a report of its findings.

 

2)         If the financial extension request is in conformance with all applicable HFSRB criteria (see Section 1130.730) and the HFSRB staff's findings are positive, the request and related documentation shall be sent to the Chairman. If the Chairman is unavailable, the application and related documentation will be sent to the Vice Chairman.

 

3)         If the request is not in conformance with all applicable HFSRB criteria or the HFSRB staff's findings are not positive, the request and related documentation shall be sent to the HFSRB.

 

i)          HFSRB Chairman Review and Consideration

 

1)         After receipt of the extension request, the Chairman shall:

 

A)        approve the request; or

 

B)        deny the request; or

 

C)        refer the request to HFSRB for consideration.

 

2)         HFSRB staff shall provide electronic correspondence to the permit holder of the Chairman's determination through dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov.

 

j)          HFSRB Review and Consideration

 

1)         Projects that continue to comply with the provisions of 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110 and 1120 and that have shown good cause by submitting the required information for an extension request specified in subsection (b), and for which the causes for delays are beyond the permit holder's control, shall be approved for extension.

 

2)         If an extension request is referred to the HFSRB, it shall be scheduled for the HFSRB meeting that is at least 10 days from the date the request was referred to the HFSRB.

 

3)         After receipt of the extension request, HFSRB shall:

 

A)        approve the request; or

 

B)        deny the request.

 

4)         HFSRB staff shall provide electronic correspondence to the permit holder of HFSRB's determination through dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov.

 

k)         If the extension request is denied (either by the Chairman or HFSRB), the permit holder shall be afforded an opportunity for reconsideration through HFSRB's Declaratory Ruling process (see Section 1130.810).

 

l)          Denial of an extension request by HFSRB shall constitute the final HFSRB decision and is not subject to administrative appeal.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.740  Permit Renewal

 

A permit holder may request a project completion date that is later than the approved project completion date by submitting to HFSRB a request for a permit renewal.

 

a)         A permit renewal request must be received by the Administrator prior to the current project completion date.

 

b)         A permit renewal shall commence on the current project completion date.

 

c)         The permit holder shall submit a request for a permit renewal to the Administrator at least 45 days prior to the project completion date.  The request shall be submitted in writing or by electronic means to dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov, along with an application processing fee (see Section 1130.230(i)(5)(A)).

 

d)         A permit renewal request that is received less than 45 days prior to the established completion date shall be accepted by the Administrator but an additional processing fee will be assessed (see Section 1130.230(i)(5)(B)).

 

e)         Any fee paid for a permit renewal request is in addition to the initial application fee referenced in Section 1130.230(i)(2)(C).

 

f)         HFSRB review of a permit renewal request shall not commence until the required fee has been submitted.

 

g)         A permit renewal request that is received after the established project completion date shall also be subject to the fines provided in Section 14.1 of the Act and Section 1130.790.

 

h)         The permit renewal request shall include the following information:

 

1)         the requested completion date;

 

2)         a status report on the project detailing what percent has been completed, a summary of project components yet to be finished, and the amount of funds expended on the project to date;

 

3)         a statement explaining why the project has not been completed; and

 

4)         confirmatory evidence by the permit holder's authorized representative that the project's costs and scope comply with the application HFSRB approved and that sufficient financial resources are available to complete the project.

 

i)          HFSRB Staff Review

 

1)         HFSRB staff shall review the permit renewal request and prepare a report of its findings.

 

2)         If the permit renewal request is in conformance with all applicable HFSRB criteria and the HFRSB staff's findings are positive, and if this is the first permit renewal request for this project, the request and related documentation shall be sent to the Chairman. If the Chairman is unavailable, the application and related documentation will be sent to the Vice Chairman.

 

3)         If the request is not in conformance with all applicable HFSRB criteria, or if HFSRB staff's findings are not positive, or if this is not the first permit renewal request for this project, the request and related documentation shall be sent to the HFSRB.

 

j)          HFSRB Chairman Review and Consideration

 

1)         After receipt of the permit renewal request, the Chairman shall:

 

A)        approve the request; or

 

B)        deny the request; or

 

C)        refer the request to HFSRB.

 

2)         HFSRB staff shall provide electronic correspondence to the permit holder of the Chairman's determination through dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov.

 

k)         HFSRB Review and Consideration

 

1)         If a permit renewal request is referred to the HFSRB, it shall be scheduled for the HFSRB meeting that is at least 10 days from the date the request was referred to the HFSRB.

 

2)         After receipt of the permit renewal request, HFSRB will evaluate the information submitted to determine if the project has proceeded with due diligence (as defined in Section 1130.140) and shall either approve or deny the request.

 

3)         HFSRB staff shall provide electronic correspondence to the permit holder of HFSRB's determination through dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov.

 

l)          If a request for a permit renewal is denied (either by the Chairman or HFSRB), the permit holder shall be afforded an opportunity for reconsideration through HFSRB's Declaratory Ruling process (see Section 1130.810).

 

m)        If the permit renewal request is denied through the Declaratory Ruling process, HFSRB will issue a Notice of Intent to Revoke a Permit (see Section 1130.780).

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.750  Permit Alteration

 

a)         Applicability

 

1)         Any change to a permit may constitute an alteration.  Some alterations only require written notification to HFSRB.  Some alterations require HFSRB approval, and some alterations are prohibited.

 

2)         A permit holder shall report any alteration to HFSRB before the alteration is commenced.  This notification shall be in writing or electronically at dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov.

 

3)         The alteration requirements are applicable only to projects that are not complete.

 

4)         Alterations are valid only for the projects defined and approved in the permit.

 

5)         A permit can be altered any time between the date of permit issuance and project completion.

 

6)         All alterations requiring HFSRB action shall be reviewed and approved on a cumulative basis.  More than one alteration can be reviewed and approved during the life of a project; however, the limits on alterations shall be applied cumulatively for a single permit. (See subsection (c).)

 

b)         Alteration timeframes

 

1)         A proposed alteration that does not require HFSRB approval (as stipulated in subsection (c)) must be submitted to the Administrator at least 10 business days prior to the commencement of the alteration.

 

A)        The Administrator (with assistance from HFSRB staff) shall review the alteration notice and determine within the 10 business days referenced in subsection (b)(1) as to whether the alteration request requires review and approval from HFRSB as delineated in subsections (c) and (d).

 

B)        The Administrator shall notify the permit holder in writing or electronically at dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov if the alteration does (or does not) require review and approval from HFSRB.

 

2)         Alterations requiring HFSRB approval shall be submitted to the Administrator at least 45 days prior to the project completion date.  An application processing fee shall accompany this request (see Section 1130.230(i)(6)(A)).

 

3)         A permit holder can submit an alteration request to the Administrator less than 45 days prior to the project completion date.  However, this request requires an additional application processing fee (see Section 1130.230(i)(6)(B)).

 

4)         An alteration request which results in an increase in the total project cost will be assessed a project fee (see Section 1130.230(i)(2)(B)) minus the original project fee that was paid when the application was deemed complete and minus any fee that was paid from a previous alteration request.  Any fee paid pursuant to this subsection is not subject to the maximum application fee referenced in Section 1130.230(i)(2)(C).

 

5)         HFSRB review of a permit alteration request shall not commence until the required fee has been submitted.

 

c)         Limits on Allowable Alterations Requiring HFSRB Approval

The cumulative effect of alterations to a project shall not exceed the following:

 

1)         a change in the approved number of beds or stations, provided that the change would not independently require a permit or exemption from HFSRB;

 

2)         abandonment of a category of service established under the permit;

 

3)         any increase in the square footage of the project up to 10% of the approved gross square footage;

 

4)         any decrease in square footage greater than 10% of the project;

 

5)         any increase in the cost of the project not to exceed 10% of the total project cost.  The alteration may exceed the capital expenditure minimum in place when the permit was issued, if it does not exceed 10% of the total project cost;

 

6)         any increase in the amount of funds to be borrowed for those permit holders that have not documented a bond rating of "A-" or better from Fitch's or Standard and Poor's rating agencies, or A3 or better from Moody's.  The rating shall be affirmed within the latest 18-month period prior to the submittal of the application.

 

d)         Prohibited Alterations

Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c), the following alterations are not allowed and, if incurred, invalidate the permit:

 

1)         an increase in the total project cost that exceeds 10% of the permit amount;

 

2)         an increase in the project's gross square footage that exceeds 10% of the project's approved gross square footage, unless that increase is required by local, State, or federal building or life safety requirements that were not in effect at the time of permit issuance;

 

3)         any other change in the project's scope or funding that would independently require a CON permit or exemption.

 

e)         Alteration Procedures

 

1)         Written Notification

 

A)        The permit holder shall notify the Administrator (within the timeframe stipulated at subsections (d)(2) or (3) of this Section) in writing or by electronic means at dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov of any alteration to a project.  The notice shall include a description of the alteration and related costs (if any) and shall address all applicable review criteria related to the alteration if the alteration requires HFSRB approval.  HFSRB staff shall review the alteration request for compliance with the review criteria and submit its findings to HFSRB. If additional information is needed by HFSRB staff to review the request, the permit holder shall be notified.

 

B)        Requests that are submitted in writing shall be submitted to the HFSRB on 8½" by 11" paper. 

 

C)        All alteration requests shall be submitted within the allowable time frames established in subsection (b).

 

2)         Compliance with 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110 and 1120

A request for alteration reviewed by HFSRB is subject to the provisions of 77 Ill. Adm. Code 1110 and 1120 that are applicable to the project.  The components and any proposed alterations to a project that would, when taken as a separate component, require a permit under the Act shall not be subject to review under this Section but shall require a new application for a permit.

 

3)         HFSRB Staff Review

 

A)        HFSRB staff shall review the permit alteration request and prepare a report of its findings.

 

B)        If the permit alteration request is in conformance with all applicable HFSRB criteria, the HFSRB staff's findings are positive, and this is the first permit alteration request for the project, the request and related documentation shall be sent to the Chairman. If the Chairman is unavailable, the application and related documentation will be sent to the Vice Chairman.

 

C)        If the permit alteration request is not in conformance with all applicable HFSRB criteria or the HFSRB staff's findings are not positive, or if this is not the first permit alteration request for this project, the request and related documentation shall be sent to the HFSRB.

 

4)         HFSRB Chairman Review and Consideration

 

A)        After receipt of the alteration request, the Chairman shall:

 

i)          approve the request; or

 

ii)         deny the request; or

 

iii)        refer the request to HFSRB.

 

B)        HFSRB staff shall provide written correspondence to the permit holder of the Chairman's determination through dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov.

 

5)         HFSRB Review and Consideration

 

A)        If the permit alteration request is referred to the HFSRB, it shall be scheduled for the HFSRB meeting that is at least 10 days from the date the request was referred to the HFSRB.

 

B)        After receipt of the permit alteration request, HFSRB shall:

 

i)          approve the request; or

 

ii)         deny the request.

 

C)        HFSRB staff shall provide written correspondence to the permit holder of HFSRB's determination through dph.hfsrb@illinois.gov. 

 

6)         If the permit alteration request is denied (either by the Chairman or HFSRB), the permit holder shall be afforded an opportunity for reconsideration through HFSRB's Declaratory Ruling process (see Section 1130.810).

 

7)         Inventory and Permit Amount Adjustments

Upon approving a request for alteration, HFSRB will revise the permit to reflect the alteration and shall adjust all inventories accordingly.  If a permit holder increases or reduces the scope or size of the project, the permit amount shall be adjusted accordingly.

 

8)         Applicable Penalties

Any alteration undertaken without prior HFSRB notice or notice and approval (when required) shall be considered a violation of the Act and/or of subsection (a)(1) of this Section and shall subject the permit or exemption holder to fines, permit revocation (see Section 1130.780), penalties and sanctions in the Act (see Section 14.1 of the Act and Section 1130.790). 

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.760  Annual Progress Reports

 

a)         Each permit holder shall submit annual progress reports to HFSRB staff every 12 months from the permit issuance date until the project is completed.  A permit holder must submit annual progress reports no earlier than 30 days before and no later than 30 days after each anniversary date of the Board's approval of the permit until the project is completed.

 

b)         Permit holders shall limit post-permit reports to annual progress reports and the final completion and cost report.

 

c)         Annual progress reports shall include information regarding the committed funds expended toward the approved project.

 

d)         If the project is not completed in one year, then, by the second annual report, the permit holder shall expend 33% or more of the total project cost or shall make a commitment to expend 33% or more of the total project cost by signed contracts or other legal means, and the report shall contain information regarding those expenditures or commitments.

 

e)         If the project is to be completed in one year, then the first annual report shall contain the financial commitment information for the total project cost.

 

f)         The State Board may extend the financial commitment period after considering a permit holder's showing of good cause and request for additional time to complete the project. [20 ILCS 3960/5]  The financial commitment period may be extended once for a maximum of one year.  (See Section 1130.730.)  If the financial commitment period is extended, the financial commitment information shall be submitted no later than the due date of the next annual report that immediately follows the new financial commitment date.

 

g)         If a permit holder fails to provide the required annual reports, the permit holder's future applications will be considered incomplete until HFSRB staff receives the required reports.

 

h)         A permit holder's failure to timely submit the required annual progress reports shall be considered a violation of the Act and shall subject the permit or exemption holder to fines, permit revocation, and the penalties and sanctions mandated in the Act (see 20 ILCS 3960/14.1) and Section 1130.790.

 

i)          All information submitted to HFSRB regarding annual progress reports shall be submitted on 8½" by 11" paper. 

 

j)          All information regarding annual progress reports shall be submitted within the allowable time frames established in subsection (a) and shall be sent only by a recognized overnight courier or personal delivery service.

 

k)         Annual reports submitted by email or fax will not be accepted. 

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.770  Project Completion, Final Realized Costs and Cost Overruns

 

a)         Written Notification

 

1)         Each permit and exemption holder shall notify HFSRB upon its project completion.

 

2)         All information concerning project completion shall be submitted on 8½" by 11" paper. 

 

3)         All information regarding project completion shall be submitted within the allowable time frames established in subsection (a)(5) and shall be sent only by any recognized overnight courier or personal delivery service.

 

4)         Notices of project completion and final realized costs will not be accepted by email or fax. 

 

5)         The report of project completion and final realized costs, including supporting documentation listed in subsections (c) and (d), shall be submitted within 90 days following the project completion date.

 

6)         The permit holder may request an extension of the deadline for submission of the final project cost report by meeting the requirements stated in Section 1130.740 (Project Renewal).

 

b)         For projects with no cost, the permit holder shall submit a written notice to HFSRB of the project's conclusion (e.g., initiation of a new service, discontinuation, certification of additional dialysis stations).

 

c)         For a project with a cost below the capital expenditure minimum, the permit holder shall submit a notice that the project has been brought to a conclusion and submit a report of final realized costs containing the following:

 

1)         a detailed itemization of all project costs and sources of funds;

 

2)         a certification that the final realized costs, as itemized, are the total costs required to complete the project and that there are no additional associated costs or capital expenditures related to the project;

 

3)         certification attesting to compliance with the requirements of this Section shall be in the form of a notarized statement signed by an authorized representative of the permit holder; and

 

4)         for major construction projects, the final Application and Certification for Payment for the construction contract, as per form G702 published by the American Institute of Architects or equivalent.

 

d)         For a project with a cost above the capital expenditure minimum in place at the time of permit approval, the permit holder shall submit a notice that the project has been brought to a conclusion and submit a report of final realized costs containing the following:

 

1)         itemization of all project costs;

 

2)         certification that the final realized costs, as itemized, are the total costs required to complete the project and that there are no additional or associated costs or capital expenditures related to the project;

 

3)         certification of compliance with all terms of the permit to date, including project cost, square footage, services, etc.; certification attesting to compliance with the requirements of this Section must be in the form of a notarized statement signed by an authorized representative of the permit holder;

 

4)         the final Application and Certification for Payment for the construction contract, as per the American Institute of Architects form G702 or equivalent; and

 

5)         for permits with a project cost equal to or greater than three times the capital expenditure minimum in place at the time of permit approval, an audited financial report of all project costs and sources of funds.  The audited financial report, when required, shall be completed by an independent certified public accountant.  A financial report completed by a permit holder's internal auditor will not be accepted.

 

e)         Failure to file final realized costs reports will result in subsequent applications for permit filed by the permit holder to be deemed incomplete by HFSRB staff until the required report is filed. In addition, the permit holder will be subject to fines, penalties and sanctions as mandated in the Act (see 20 ILCS 3960/14.1) and Section 1130.790.

 

f)         Failure to timely file the project's report of project completion and final realized costs, all necessary supporting documentation following the project completion, or any project cost overrun information shall subject the permit or exemption holder to fines, permit revocation, and the penalties and sanctions mandated in the Act (see 20 ILCS 3960/14.1) and Section 1130.790.

 

g)         Any amount of the final realized cost that exceeds the approval permit amount shall be considered a cost overrun without a permit unless the amount is subsequently approved by HFSRB. Projects may deviate from the costs, fees, and expenses provided in their project cost information for the project's cost components, provided that the final total project cost does not exceed the approved permit amount [20 ILCS 3960/5].

 

h)         Any project with a cost overrun shall not be complete until HFSRB determines that the project has complied with all project completion requirements, as determined by HFSRB.

 

i)          Any project that is compliant with the conditions of its permit shall not be complete until HFSRB determines that the project completion requirements have been met.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.775  Relinquishment of a Permit

 

A permit holder may request to withdraw its permit.  The request requires an application to and approval by HFSRB for relinquishment.  Upon approval of relinquishment by HFSRB, the permit is considered null and void.  Requests for relinquishment shall be considered only for permits that are current and valid.  Requests shall be filed with HFSRB prior to the completion date of the permit.  HFSRB will not process a request for relinquishment until it receives the application-processing fee.

 

a)         Relinquishment Procedure

The permit holder shall notify HFSRB in writing, prior to the abandonment or withdrawal of a project.  The notice shall include:

 

1)         A description of the permit and related costs;

 

2)         A detailed explanation of the reasons for abandonment; and

 

3)         If the approval of the permit or exemption was based upon need, an explanation of how that need will be met in absence of the project.

 

b)         HFSRB staff shall review the request for withdrawal and prepare a report of its findings.  HFSRB staff findings and all related documentation shall be sent to the Chairman.  The Chairman, acting on behalf of HFSRB, shall approve the request or refer it to the full Board for action.  The approval or denial of a request for relinquishment constitutes HFSRB's final administrative decision.

 

c)         Upon approval of a request for relinquishment, HFSRB staff shall adjust all inventories accordingly.

 

d)         Decisions on requests for relinquishment shall be transmitted in writing to the permit holder.

 

e)         Any relinquishment undertaken without prior HFSRB approval shall be considered a violation of the Act and shall be subject to the sanctions and penalties in the Act (see 20 ILCS 3960/14.1) and Section 1130.790.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.780  Revocation of a Permit

 

a)         HFSRB shall revoke a permit upon a determination that a permit holder has failed to comply with the requirements of the Act and this Section.  The determination may be based upon, but not limited by, any of the following:

 

1)         the project for which the permit was granted has been altered without the required notice and/or approval of HFSRB;

 

2)         the permit holder has failed to complete the project on or before the completion date;

 

3)         The permit holder or applicant materially changed information or details submitted in the CON application or in any written materials submitted to HFRSB;

 

4)         The permit holder or applicant submitted false information in the CON application or in any written materials submitted to HFSRB;

 

5)         The permit holder or applicant misrepresented information presented at a Board meeting, at an HFSRB public hearing, or in response to HFSRB or HFSRB staff inquiries;

 

6)         The permit holder or applicant has been convicted of any of the following crimes during the previous five years.  The convictions shall be verified by a certified copy of the court of conviction:

 

A)        A felony;

 

B)        Two or more misdemeanors involving moral turpitude;

 

7)         The permit holder, applicant, or health care facility representative has refused to allow an inspection or survey of the health care facility by Board representatives (i.e., IDPH surveyors);

 

8)         The facility has insufficient financial or other resources to operate the facility in accordance with the CON application or with any other information submitted to the Board;

 

9)         The facility's license has been revoked by IDPH.

 

b)         If HFSRB intends to revoke a permit, the permit holder shall be provided with written notification of the intent to revoke and notice of allegations.  The permit holder shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing before an administrative law judge, and may request to appear before HFSRB prior to the start of an administrative hearing. HFSRB may also impose other sanctions or penalties mandated in the Act (see 20 ILCS 3960/14.1) and Section 1130.790, including fines (see 20 ILCS 3960/14.1(c)).   

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.790  Penalties, Fines and Sanctions for Non-compliance with the Act and HFSRB Rules

 

a)         Any person establishing, constructing, or modifying a health care facility or portion thereof without obtaining a required permit, or in violation of the terms of the required permit, shall not be eligible to apply for any necessary operating licenses or be eligible for payment by any State agency for services rendered in that facility or portion thereof until the required permit is obtained. (Section 13.1 of the Act)

 

b)         Any person acquiring major medical equipment or establishing, constructing or modifying a health care facility without a permit issued under this Act or in violation of the terms of such a permit is guilty of a business offense and may be fined up to $25,000. (Section 14 of the Act)

 

c)         HFSRB may deny an application for a permit or may revoke or take other action as permitted by this Act with regard to a permit as HFSRB deems appropriate, including the imposition of fines. (Section 14.1(a) of the Act)

 

d)         HFSRB may impose fines as specified below for the enumerated violations:

 

1)         A permit holder who fails to comply with the requirements for maintaining a valid permit shall be fined an amount not to exceed 1% of the approved permit amount plus an additional 1% of the approved permit amount for each 30-day period, or fraction thereof, that the violation continues. (Section 14.1(b)(1) of the Act)

 

2)         A permit holder who alters the scope of an approved project or whose project costs exceed the allowable permit amount without first obtaining HFSRB approval shall be fined an amount not to exceed the sum of:

 

A)        the lesser of $25,000 or 2% of the approved permit amount; and

 

B)        in those cases where the approved permit amount is exceeded by more than $1,000,000, an additional $20,000 for each $1,000,000, or fraction thereof, in excess of the approved permit amount. (Section 14.1(b)(2) of the Act)

 

3)         A permit or exemption holder who fails to comply with the post-permit and post-exemption reporting requirements set forth in Sections 5 and 8.5 of the Act shall be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000 plus an additional $10,000 for each 30-day period, or fraction thereof, that the violation continues. The accrued fine is not waived by the permit or exemption holder submitting the required information and reports. Prior to any fine beginning to accrue, the Board shall notify, in writing, a permit or exemption holder of the due date for the post-permit and reporting requirements no later than 30 days before the due date for the requirements.  (Section 14.1(b)(2.5) of the Act)

 

4)         A person who acquires major medical equipment or who establishes a category of service without first obtaining a permit or exemption, as the case might be, shall be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each such acquisition or category of service established plus an additional $10,000 for each 30-day period, or fraction thereof, that the violation continues. (Section 14.1(b)(3) of the Act)

 

5)         A person who constructs, modifies, establishes, or changes ownership of a health care facility without first obtaining a permit or exemption shall be fined an amount not to exceed $25,000 plus an additional $25,000 for each 30-day period, or fraction thereof, that the violation continues. (Section 14.1(b)(4) of the Act)

 

6)         A person who discontinues a health care facility or category of service without first obtaining a permit or exemption or who temporarily discontinues a healthcare facility or category of service longer than 30 days without providing the necessary notice required under Section 1130.240(d) shall be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000 plus an additional $10,000 for each 30-day period, or fraction thereof, that the violation continues.  Facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act, with the exceptions facilities operated by a county or Illinois Veterans Homes, are exempt from this permit requirement.  However, facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act must comply with Section 3-423 of the Nursing Home Care Act or Section 3-423 of the ID/DD Community Care Act, or Section 3-423 of the MC/DD Act and must provide the Board and the Department of Human Services with 30-days' written notice of its intent to reduce the number of beds for a facility. (Section 14.1(b)(5) of the Act)

 

7)         A person subject to the Act who fails to provide information requested by HFSRB, its staff, or Agency within 30 days of a formal written request shall be fined an amount not to exceed $1,000, plus an additional $1,000 for each 30-day period, or fraction thereof, that the information is not received by HFSRB, its staff or Agency. (Section 14.1(b)(6) of the Act)  For purposes of this subsection, examples of noncompliance include, without limitation, failure to provide additional information under Sections 1130.550(b) or 1130.635 and failure to provide annual questionnaires on or before the designated due date.  

 

e)         If an individual or entity has failed to comply with the Act or HFSRB rules and has been notified by HFSRB about an allegation of noncompliance, this may provide a basis for HFSRB to defer consideration of all applications, rulings, or advisory opinions filed before HFSRB until the noncompliant matter is resolved.

 

f)         Failure to pay any fine imposed under this Section within 30 days after its imposition, or by a specified date if the default of payment extends past 30 days, shall subject the person to other sanctions permitted by the Act as HFSRB deems appropriate.

 

g)         If an individual or entity who has failed to comply with the Act or HFSRB rules, waives their right to an administrative hearing regarding the noncompliance and waives an opportunity to appear before HFSRB to respond to the noncompliance matters, HFSRB is authorized to use in-kind services to reduce the fines in the negotiation of settlements.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.810  Declaratory Rulings

 

HFSRB shall render determinations on various matters relating to permits and the applicability of the statute and regulations.  Requests for determinations shall be made in writing.  Pursuant to Section 5-150 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, these determinations are declaratory rulings and are not subject to appeal.  Matters subject to declaratory rulings by HFSRB include, but are not limited to:

 

a)         whether a proposed project requires a permit or exemption;

 

b)         corrections to the facility inventories utilized by HFSRB;

 

c)         recognition that a particular service was in existence prior to permit requirements;

 

d)         amount of fees required;

 

e)         project classification as substantive or non-substantive; and

 

f)         applicability of rules.

 

HFSRB NOTE: Declaratory ruling requests pertaining to an application for permit or exemption during the review period may be submitted only by the applicant and by HFSRB staff.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.910  Applicability

 

a)         Public Hearing on Certificates of Exemption

The Act requires that HFSRB staff afford an opportunity for public hearing when an exemption application for a change of ownership, discontinuation of a health care facility, or discontinuation of a category of service is declared complete (see 20 ILCS 3960/8.5).

 

b)         Public Hearing on Proposed Rules

In addition to the requirements of the IAPA, HFSRB shall adopt procedures concerning public notice and hearing on proposed rules (see 20 ILCS 3960/12).

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.920  Notice of Review and Opportunity for Public Hearing and Comment on Applications for Permit

 

a)         Notice of Review and Opportunity for Public Hearing and Comment

After HFSRB staff deems complete an application for permit, or after the applicant makes a type A modification to an application that is deemed complete (pursuant to the provisions of this Part), HFSRB shall afford an opportunity for public hearing and written comments on the project by preparing and publishing a Notice of Review and Opportunity for Public Hearing and Comment (Notice).  This Notice shall consist of at least the following elements:

 

1)         Identification of the proposed project, including the project cost and a brief description of the project and the tentative date that the application is scheduled for HFSRB review;

 

2)         Identification, including the mailing address and telephone number, of the agency that is responsible for the public hearing;

 

3)         Information regarding where a copy of the application may be viewed by the public and how copies of the application may be obtained;

 

4)         A statement that any person has the right to request a public hearing and to submit written comments on the proposed project;

 

5)         The date (which shall be at least 15 days from the date of publication of the Notice) by which a written request for a public hearing shall be received by HFSRB; and

 

6)         HFSRB staff must receive all public comments regarding an application no later than 20 days prior to the tentatively scheduled consideration of the application.  If the consideration date is extended, the public comment period will also be extended.  If subsequent to HFSRB consideration of an application, a final decision is not made (application is deferred or is issued an Intent to Deny), the public comment period shall be extended to the 20 days prior to the next consideration.

 

HFSRB NOTE:  The provisions of this subsection (a) do not apply to written comments that are submitted pursuant to the time frames established by a hearing officer as part of a public hearing concerning an application for permit.

 

b)         HFSRB shall forward the Notice of Review and Opportunity for Public Hearing and Comment to the applicant by certified mail and publish the notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the area or community where the project is to occur.

 

c)         Notice to all other persons, including health care facilities and members of the general public, shall be deemed to have been given by publishing the notice in a newspaper in the area or community where the project is to occur.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.930  Notice of Public Hearing on Applications for Permit

 

a)         Content and Distribution of Notice of Public Hearing on Application for Permit

If HFSRB staff receive a request for a public hearing on a proposed project in response to the Notice of Review and Opportunity for Public Hearing or Comment within the time frame established in the notice, HFSRB staff shall schedule a public hearing on the proposed project and prepare and publish a Notice of Public Hearing.  The Notice of Public Hearing shall consist of at least the following:

 

1)         Identification of the subject to be heard;

 

2)         Identification of the law under which the subject is being heard;

 

3)         Identification of the agency conducting the hearing;

 

4)         Announcement of the time, date, and location of the hearing;

 

5)         Announcement that the hearing is an open public meeting at which all parties at interest will be afforded an opportunity to present written and/or verbal comments relevant to the project; and

 

6)         Announcement that allegations or assertions should be relevant to the need for the proposed project and be supported with two copies of documentation or materials that are printed or typed on 8½" by 11" paper.

 

b)         Notice to all other persons, including members of the public who are to be served by the proposed project shall be deemed to have been given by publication of the Notice of Public Hearing in a newspaper in the area or community where the project is to occur.

 

c)         If the applicant or other person that requested a public hearing subsequently rescinds their request and no other person or entity requested a public hearing, HFSRB shall still conduct the public hearing.

 

d)         If the applicant or other person requests a public hearing on a proposed project after an application for permit has been submitted, but prior to the application being deemed complete or after a modification that requires an opportunity for a public hearing (pursuant to the provisions of this Part) is received, HFSRB staff shall not provide a Notice of Review and Opportunity for Public Hearing or Comment.  But shall, at the time the application is deemed complete, or the modification is received, HFSRB staff shall schedule a public hearing, and prepare and publish a Notice of Public Hearing.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)

 

Section 1130.940  Procedures for Public Hearing on Applications for Permit

 

Procedures for public hearing shall include at least the following:

 

a)         A place of reasonable size and accessibility shall be provided;

 

b)         A hearing officer or officers who shall conduct the hearing and take all necessary steps to assure the hearing's proper completion;

 

c)         The hearing officer shall have the authority to require the swearing in of persons presenting testimony and to determine the order in which testimony is taken and the time to be allocated for each person to testify;

 

d)         The hearing officer shall maintain order and may set and announce new hearing dates, times and places.  The hearing officer's verbal announcement shall, for this purpose, constitute public notice;

 

e)         The proceeding shall be tape‑recorded or otherwise recorded.  A full and complete transcript need not be made, however, unless required by law and paid for by the requesting party;

 

f)         The hearing shall be deemed to have been completed and terminated when the hearing officer so finds and has determined that all exhibits, documents and other written materials presented or requested at the hearing are in his or her custody; and

 

g)         The hearing officer shall, within a reasonable time, submit a public hearing report that shall include all exhibits and documents to HFSRB staff for submission to HFSRB.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.950  Written Comments on Applications for Permit

 

a)         Provision for and Types of Written Comments

 

1)         Written comments regarding an application and any supplemental information pertaining to an application shall be submitted in accordance with the Notice of Review requirements of this Subpart, in accordance with public hearing requirements established at the direction of the hearing officer, or in accordance with requirements for additional testimony established as a request from and at the direction of HFSRB.

 

2)         Persons who have previously participated in any public hearings or submitted written comments related to a project shall not repeat previously submitted comments.

 

b)         Submission of Comments

 

1)         Written comments are to be submitted to HFSRB or its Administrator at:

 

Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board

525 West  Jefferson St., 2^nd Floor

Springfield IL 62761

 

2)         Those written comments that have been addressed and submitted as described in this subsection will be included as part of the public record, provided that HFSRB receives the comments within the prescribed time frame and in accordance with the requirements of this Subpart.  Persons submitting comments are responsible for assuring that the Board's staff receive the comments within the prescribed time frame.  No person shall knowingly provide ex parte comment to any HFSRB member or staff in contravention of Section 1130.630(d) (see 20 ILCS 3960/4.2).

 

c)         Format of Comments

 

1)         Written comments shall contain a signature and the name and address of the person submitting the comments.  Written comments shall be on 8½" by 11" paper .

 

2)         All written comments shall be submitted within the allowable time frames established in Sections 1130(b) and 1130.920(a)(5), and shall be sent only by any recognized overnight courier or personal delivery service.

 

3)         Written comments submitted by email or fax will not be accepted.

 

d)         Forwarding of Comments to HFSRB and to Applicant

HFSRB staff shall forward all timely written comments to HFSRB members and the applicant prior to the HFSRB meeting date.

 

e)         Ex Parte Comments

Written comments that are received after the prescribed date shall be considered ex parte and shall not be forwarded to HFSRB or to the applicant.

 

f)         Validity of Comments

 

1)         Written comments filed with HFSRB or oral statements made under oath to HFSRB regarding any Board matter that are subsequently found to be false or inaccurate will serve as a basis for an HFSRB investigation.

 

2)         HFSRB may require the person who made the false or inaccurate comments or statements to appear before the Board.  HFSRB may censure that person.  Further, HFSRB may determine that person to be ineligible to provide written comments or oral statements concerning any future Board considerations.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.960  Notice Procedures for Public Hearing on Applications for Certificate of Recognition (or Revocation of Recognition) (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.970  Procedures for Public Hearing on Applications for Certificate of Recognition (or Revocation of Recognition) (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.980  Procedures Concerning Public Hearing for Certificate of Exemption

 

The procedures pertaining to public hearing requirements concerning an application for exemption for a proposed change of ownership of a health care facility are as specified in Section 1130.520.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.990  Procedures for Public Hearing and Comment on Proposed Rules

 

a)         All proposed rulemaking is subject to the provisions of the IAPA. 

 

b)         HFSRB will provide notice of the public comment period, together with the publication of the proposed rules in the Illinois Register, as part of the IAPA's First Notice requirements.

 

c)         HFSRB shall conduct public hearings on proposed rules, if requested in writing within 14 business days following the publication of the proposed rules in the Illinois Register.  Notice of public hearings will be posted on the HFSRB website (http://hfsrb.illinois.gov).

 

d)         Commenters participating at a public hearing are encouraged to submit their testimony in writing. 

 

e)         The entire proceedings of every HFSRB public hearing will be transcribed by a court reporter and this transcript will serve as the administrative record of the HFSRB public hearing.

 

f)         Written comments should be submitted in accordance with the First Notice requirements published in the Illinois Register.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.995  Procedures for Written Public Comment on All Other Matters

 

Written public comment is permitted for all other matters subject to HFSRB proceedings that are not otherwise specified in this Part (e.g., requests for alterations, renewals, extensions, declaratory rulings).  The comment shall identify the subject matter and conform to the following:

 

a)         Persons who previously participated in any public hearings or submitted written comments related to a project shall not repeat previously submitted comments.

 

b)         HFSRB staff must receive all public comment no later than 20 days prior to HFSRB's tentatively scheduled consideration of the matter.  If that date of consideration is extended, the public comment period shall also be extended.

 

c)         Comments shall be in writing.  Only those written comments addressed or submitted to HFSRB or its Administrator and received at HFSRB headquarters shall be included as part of the public record, provided that HFSRB receives the comments within the prescribed time frame and the comments meet the requirements of this Subpart.  Persons submitting comments are responsible for assuring that HFSRB staff receive the comments within the prescribed time frame.  In addition, persons providing comments to HFSRB shall assure that the submission is not in violation of the ex parte provisions of the Act.

 

d)         Written comments shall contain a signature and the name and address of the person submitting the comments.  Written comments shall be on 8½" by 11" paper.

 

e)         All written comments shall be submitted within the time frames established in subsection (b) and shall be sent only by a recognized overnight courier or personal delivery service.

 

f)         Written comments that are submitted by fax or email will not be accepted.

 

g)         Ex Parte Comments

Written comments that are received after the prescribed date shall be considered ex parte and shall not be forwarded to HFSRB or to the applicant and shall not be considered in making a determination.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.1010  The Right to an Administrative Hearing and Applicable Rules

 

a)         This Subpart of practice and procedures for administrative hearings is promulgated pursuant to Section 5‑10(a)(i) and Article 10 of the IAPA and Sections 10 and 11 of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act.

 

b)         A person whose application for permit, a renewal of a permit, or a certificate of recognition is denied or whose permit or certificate of recognition is revoked by HFSRB shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing before a hearing officer.  These hearings shall be governed by this Part.

 

c)         Administrative hearings in contested cases as defined by the IAPA shall be governed by this Part.

 

d)         In case of a conflict between the provisions of this Part and the IAPA, the provisions of the IAPA shall apply.  Provisions of the IAPA that relate to contested cases shall apply to all hearings.

 

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.1020  Initiation of a Contested Case (Pleadings)

 

a)        In contested cases, in which HFSRB is required to serve respondent a notice of opportunity for an administrative hearing, that notice shall contain:

 

1)         a statement of the nature of the action;

 

2)         a statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the action is being initiated;

 

3)         a reference to the particular Sections of the statutes and/or rules involved;

 

4)         allegations of noncompliance;

 

5)         a statement of the procedure for requesting an administrative hearing, including a date by which the request must be received by HFSRB, which must be set at least 10 days after the notice is mailed or personally served;

 

6)       except where a more detailed statement is otherwise provided for by law, a short and plain statement of the matters asserted, the consequences of a failure to respond, and the official file or reference number.  [5 ILCS 100/10-25]

 

b)         A person who receives a Notice of an Opportunity for an Administrative Hearing shall submit a written request for a hearing to HFSRB.  The request shall be sent to HFSRB at the address stated in the notice and shall be received by the date set forth in the notice.  Failure to comply with this Section shall constitute a waiver of the person's right to an administrative hearing.

 

c)         Upon receiving a timely request for hearing, HFSRB shall issue a notice of hearing or prehearing conference.  The notice of hearing or prehearing conference shall contain:

 

1)         a statement of the nature of the hearing;

 

2)         a statement of the time and place that the hearing or prehearing conference will be held;

 

3)         a statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held; and

 

4)         the names and mailing addresses of the administrative law judge, all parties, and all other persons to whom the agency gives notice of the hearing, unless otherwise confidential by law.  [5 ILCS 100/10-25]

 

d)         Amendments to the pleadings may be allowed upon proper motion at any time during the pendency of the proceedings on such terms as shall be just and reasonable.

 

e)         All written documents provided for under this Section shall be liberally construed with a view toward doing substantial justice between the parties.

 

f)         Venue shall be the location designated in the Notice of Administrative Hearing.  Venue may be moved to another location upon stipulation by all parties or upon a showing to and a finding by the administrative law judge that exceptional circumstances, including but not limited to age, infirmity or inability to travel, exist that make it desirable, in the interest of justice, to allow a change of venue.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.1030  Waiver of Hearing

 

An applicant waives the right to a hearing if, after HFSRB issues a denial, the applicant submits a modified application for permit.  An applicant also waives the right to a hearing if the applicant does not request a hearing within the required timeframe.  Any pending administrative hearing on an application for permit shall be dismissed by the administrative law judge upon the showing that a modified application was submitted by the applicant and the matter was referred to HFSRB.  The waiver of a right to an administrative hearing on a denied application does not waive the right to an administrative hearing on the denial of the modified application.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.1040  Parties to Hearings

 

a)         The parties to proceedings before HFSRB are complainants, applicants, respondents and intervenors.

 

b)         HFSRB shall be deemed a complainant in any proceedings initiated by its own action.

 

c)         An applicant is the person required by the Act to obtain a permit from HFSRB who files an application with HFSRB.

 

d)         Intervenors are "adversely affected persons" and are granted the right to be parties to proceedings before HFSRB.  These persons are defined as:

 

1)         the area-wide health planning organization for the health service area in which the proposed project is to be located;

 

2)         the area-wide health planning organizations serving contiguous health service areas or located within the same Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA);

 

3)         any person residing within the geographic area served or to be served by the applicant;

 

4)         any person who regularly uses health care facilities within that geographic area;

 

5)         health care facilities and HMOs located in the health service area in which the project is proposed to be located that provide services similar to the services of the applicant;

 

6)         health care facilities and HMOs that, prior to HFSRB staff receiving the application being reviewed, have formally indicated an intention to provide similar services in the future;

 

7)         third party payers who reimburse health care facilities for services in the health service area in which the proposed project is to be located;

 

8)         any agency that establishes rates for health care facilities or HMOs located in the health service area in which the project is proposed to be located; and

 

9)         IDPH.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.1050  Appearance − Right to Counsel

 

a)         Any party to the proceeding may appear and be represented by an attorney at law authorized to practice in the State of Illinois.

 

b)         A corporation, limited liability company, partnership or association shall appear and be represented only by an attorney authorized to practice law in the State of Illinois.  A shareholder, corporate officer, employee or member of the board of directors may not appear or represent a corporation or association unless that individual is authorized to practice law in the State of Illinois.

 

c)         All persons appearing in proceedings before the Board shall conform to the standards of ethical conduct required of attorneys before the courts of Illinois.  If any person or attorney does not conform to those standards, the administrative law judge may decline to permit that person to appear in any proceeding.

 

d)         Any attorney or other person, other than the Board counsel, appearing before the Board shall file an appearance form containing: the name of the party represented; the name, address and telephone number of the attorney or representative; an affirmative statement that the attorney is or is not duly licensed in the State of Illinois; and the written signature of the attorney or representative.

 

e)         Special appearances are not recognized.  The initial appearance, regardless of form, is deemed a general appearance.

 

f)         An attorney may withdraw his or her appearance and/or representation only upon motion and appropriate ruling by the administrative law judge. However, attorneys may be substituted without motion upon notice to all parties and the administrative law judge if the substitution will not delay the proceedings, a statement to that effect is contained in the notice, and a substitute appearance form is filed concurrently with the notice.

 

(Source:  Amended at 39 Ill. Reg. 6347, effective June 1, 2015)

 

Section 1130.1060 Prehearing Conferences

 

a)         A prehearing conference may be scheduled by the administrative law judge or HFSRB at their discretion or as a result of a request pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section.  This conference shall be held prior to the date of hearing and shall be for the purpose of considering:

 

1)         the simplification of the issues;

 

2)         amendments to the pleadings;

 

3)         the possibility of obtaining admissions of fact and of documents that will avoid unnecessary proof;

 

4)         the limitation of the number of expert witness; and

 

5)         any other matters that may aid in the disposition of the hearing.

 

b)         In any proceedings under this Section in which HFSRB has not scheduled a prehearing conference, any party to the proceedings may request the scheduling of a prehearing conference.  The request shall be made in writing and received by the administrative law judge at least five days prior to the scheduled date of hearing. The requesting party shall serve all other parties to the proceedings with a copy of the request.

 

c)         Upon the receipt of a request for a prehearing conference in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section, the administrative law judge shall schedule the prehearing conference and notify all parties of the date, time and place of the conference.

 

d)         After a prehearing conference, the administrative law judge shall make a report that recites any action taken by the administrative law judge and any agreements made by the parties as to any of the matters considered.

 

e)         Any party may request additional prehearing conferences. The administrative law judge, in his or her discretion, may deny or grant the request.

 

f)         A certified stenographic reporter (court reporter) may not be present at a prehearing conference unless one of the parties to the proceeding or the administrative law judge requests a court reporter to be present.  The request shall be received by HFSRB at least two working days in advance of the scheduled prehearing conference.  The party, other than the administrative law judge or HFSRB, requesting the presence of the court report shall be billed directly for the attendance fee of the reporter.

 

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.1070  Intervention

 

a)         A right of intervention shall exist for other interested parties, including representatives of health planning organizations and consumer groups who demonstrate a relevant interest.

 

b)         A person desiring to intervene shall present a Petition for Intervention accompanied by any pleadings or motions he proposes to file before the hearing.   The Petition to Intervene shall be submitted to the administrative law judge for a determination of whether the petition should be granted.

 

c)         In determining whether to allow intervention, the administrative law judge may consider whether the intervention will unduly delay the hearing, prejudice the rights of the respondent, be unduly burdensome to any party, enlarge the scope of the proceedings, or insert new issues into the proceedings; whether there are other remedies available to the petitioners; and whether there are any other factors that may bear upon the rights of any party.

 

d)         An intervener shall have all the rights of an original party to the administrative hearing unless the administrative law judge in allowing intervention restricts the petitioner's right to intervene to certain issues in the proceedings.

 

e)         Petition for Intervention

 

1)         The Petition for Intervention shall contain:

 

A)        the name and address of the person making the petition to intervene;

 

B)        if the petitioner is represented by an attorney, the name and address of the attorney; and

 

C)        a plain and concise statement setting forth the grounds for intervention.

 

2)         All petitions shall be filed with the administrative law judge and copies served on all parties to the proceeding.

 

(Source:  Added at 30 Ill. Reg. 14852, effective September 1, 2006)

 

Section 1130.1080 Disqualification of Administrative Law Judge

 

Prior to the commencement of a hearing, a party may file a written motion to disqualify the administrative law judge supported by an affidavit setting forth the facts upon which the motion is made.  The administrative law judge who is the subject of a motion to disqualify shall review the motion and affidavit and shall issue his or her report to HFSRB.  The report shall include a proposed ruling on the motion and the reasons for the ruling.  If HFSRB determines that bias or a conflict of interest exists, it shall grant the motion and the HFSRB Chairman shall appoint a new administrative law judge within 30 days after HFSRB's determination.  An adverse ruling, in and of itself, shall not constitute bias or conflict of interest  [5 ILCS 100/10-30].

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.1090  Form of Papers

 

a)         All papers filed in any proceeding, except exhibits, shall be typewritten or printed.  If typewritten, the impression shall be on one side of the paper; long quotations shall be single spaced and indented.  Mimeographed, multigraphed, hectographed and photocopied papers, and the like, will be accepted as typewritten.

 

b)         All papers, except exhibits, shall be cut or folded so as not to exceed a width of 8½" and a length of 14" and shall have inside margins not less than one inch wide.  Whenever practical, all exhibits of a documentary character shall conform to these requirements.

 

c)         All pleadings, written motions, or notices filed in the administrative proceeding shall be signed in ink by the party filing the paper or by an officer or agent or an attorney representing the officer or agent.

 

d)        Pleadings, written motions, notices, and applications shall contain the address of the party filing the paper or, if represented by an attorney, the name and business address of such attorney.

 

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.1100  Service

 

a)         Notices under this Subpart shall be served either personally or by certified mail upon all parties or their agents appointed to receive service of process.

 

b)         Service of pleadings or motions under this Part, unless otherwise provided for in this Subpart, shall be made by delivering in person or by depositing in the United States Mail, properly addressed with postage prepaid, one copy to each party to the proceeding.  When any party or parties has appeared by attorney, service upon the attorney shall be deemed service upon such party or parties.

 

c)         Proof of service under this Subpart shall be by certificate of attorney, affidavit or acknowledgement.

 

(Source:  Added at 30 Ill. Reg. 14852, effective September 1, 2006)

 

Section 1130.1110  Conduct of Hearings

 

a)         All hearings conducted in any proceedings shall be open to the public.

 

b)         Hearings shall commence and proceed with due diligence.

 

c)         Hearings will be conducted by an administrative law judge, appointed by the HFSRB Chairman.

 

d)         The administrative law judge shall conduct hearings; administer oaths; issue subpoenas; regulate the course of hearings; hold informal conferences for the settlement, simplification, or definition of issues; dispose of procedural requests, motions, and similar matters; continue the hearing from time to time when necessary; examine witnesses; and rule upon the admissibility of evidence and amendments to pleadings.

 

e)         In a hearing to consider the denial of a permit or certificate of recognition, the applicant shall have the burden of establishing that the proposed project or application for certificate of recognition, as the case may be, for which application for permit or recognition is made is consistent with the standards, criteria, or plans adopted by HFSRB upon which the finding and decision of HFSRB were made; only testimony and evidence as are relevant shall be offered or accepted.

 

f)         All parties to an administrative hearing shall have the right to give testimony, produce evidence, cross‑examine adverse witnesses and present arguments relevant to the question of consistency and conformity of the proposed project with the adopted standards, criteria or plans upon which the finding and decision of HFSRB were made.

 

g)         The administrative law judge shall direct all parties to enter their appearances on the record.

 

h)         Parties may by stipulation agree upon any facts involved in the proceeding.  The facts stipulated shall be considered as evidence in the proceeding.  Unless precluded by law, disposition may be made of any contested case by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order, or default.

 

i)          At any stage of the hearing, or after all parties have completed the presentation of their evidence, HFSRB or its administrative law judge may call upon any party or the technical staff of HFSRB or other departments of State government or State Universities for further material or relevant evidence upon any issue.  All parties at interest shall be afforded the right to present further evidence or material, or contradict the evidence or material presented, as per the provisions of the IAPA.

 

j)          The rules of evidence and privilege as applied in civil cases in the Circuit Court of this State shall be followed.  However, evidence not admissible under such rules of evidence may be admitted (except where precluded by statute) if it is of a type commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent persons in the conduct of their affairs.  Immaterial, irrelevant, unduly repetitious material shall be excluded.  All admissible evidence shall be considered in accordance with its relative probative value in formulating the final decision of HFSRB and also in formulating the findings of fact and conclusions of law (if any) that support the decision.  A copy of the whole or any part of an admissible book, record, paper, or memorandum of HFSRB staff that is made by photostatic or other method of accurate and permanent reproduction may be admitted in evidence at the hearing without further proof of the accuracy of such copy.  When any material or relevant matter offered in evidence by any party is contained in a book, paper, or document containing other matter not material or relevant, the party offering the same shall plainly designate the matter.  If, in the judgment of the administrative law judge, the immaterial or irrelevant matter would unnecessarily encumber the record, the book, paper, or document will not be received in evidence as a whole, but the material or relevant portions, if otherwise admissible, may be read into the record or entered as an exhibit.  Objections to evidentiary offers may be made and shall be noted in the record.  Any part of the evidence may be received in written form.

 

k)         Official notice may be taken of matters of which Circuit Courts of this State may take judicial notice.  In addition, official notice may be taken of generally recognized technical or scientific facts within HFSRB's specialized knowledge.  Parties shall be notified either before or during the hearing, or by reference in preliminary reports or otherwise, of the material noticed, including any staff memoranda or data, and they shall be afforded an opportunity to contest the material so noticed.  HFSRB's experience, technical competence and specialized knowledge may be used in the evaluation of evidence.

 

l)          HFSRB's legal counsel and/or the Administrator will arrange for a certified stenographic reporter (court reporter) to make a stenographic record of the hearings in all administrative hearings under this Part.  Any persons may make arrangements to obtain a copy of the stenographic record from the reporter.

 

m)        Suggested corrections to the transcript of record may be offered within 10 days after the transcript is filed in the proceedings, unless the Director of IDPH or the administrative law judge permits suggested corrections to be offered thereafter.  Suggested corrections shall be served upon or brought to the attention of such party whose appearance is of record or his/her attorney, the official reporter, and the administrative law judge.  If suggested corrections are not objected to, the administrative law judge will direct the corrections to be made and the manner of making them.  In case the parties disagree on suggested corrections, they may be heard by the administrative law judge, who shall then determine the manner in which the record shall be changed, if at all.

 

n)         Written opening arguments and written closing arguments shall not be permitted unless all parties so stipulate.

 

o)         Absent a showing of good cause, no document shall be offered into evidence that was not disclosed in accordance with the requirements in Section 1130.1120, and no witness shall testify whose name was not provided pursuant to Section 1130.1120.  For purposes of this subsection, a showing of good cause shall mean that a party, through no fault of its own, did not have knowledge of a document to be offered into evidence or the name of a witness within the time frame necessary for compliance with Section 1130.1120.

 

p)         If a party, or any person at the insistence of or in collusion with a party, violates any ruling of the administrative law judge, the administrative law judge, on motion, may enter such orders as are just, including, among others, the following:

 

1)         that further proceedings be stayed until the order or rule is complied with;

 

2)         that the offending party be barred from filing any other pleadings relating to any issue to which the refusal or failure relates;

 

3)         that he or she be barred from maintaining any particular claim or defense relating to that issue;

 

4)         that a witness be barred from testifying concerning that issue;

 

5)         that, as to claims or defenses asserted in any pleading to which that issue is material, an order of default be entered against the offending party or that his or her pleading be dismissed without prejudice; or

 

6)         that any portion of his or her pleadings relating to that issue be stricken and, if thereby made appropriate, judgment be entered as to the issue.

 

q)         At any time, the administrative law judge may order the removal of any person from the hearing room who is creating a disturbance whether by physical actions, profanity or otherwise engaging in conduct that disrupts the hearing.

 

r)          At the request of any party, the administrative law judge may exclude all witnesses from the hearing room, except that each party or a representative of a party, in addition to legal counsel, shall be allowed to remain.

 

(Source:  Amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 6347, effective June 1, 2015)

 

Section 1130.1120  Discovery

 

a)         Prior to hearing or at the prehearing conference, HFSRB shall provide all parties with a copy of HFSRB's reports relating to the Allegations of Noncompliance. 

 

b)         At least 21 days prior to the commencement of the hearing, each party shall provide all other parties with a copy of any document that it intends to offer into evidence.  This subsection shall not require any party to again provide copies of those documents already provided by HFSRB under subsection (a).

 

c)         At least 21 days prior to the commencement of the hearing, each party shall provide all other parties with a list containing the name and address of any witness who may be called to testify.

 

d)         All parties shall be entitled to any exculpatory evidence in HFSRB's possession that tends to support the other party's position or that might impeach the credibility of HFSRB's witness.

 

e)         Upon a written request by HFSRB, at any time after a notice or hearing request is filed, or at any stage of the hearing, the other parties shall be required to produce within seven days documents, books, records, or other evidence that relates directly to conduct of the business entity or other subject of the administrative hearing.

 

f)         All parties shall be under a continuing obligation to promptly update requested discovery until the hearing is concluded without the necessity for further or additional requests.

 

g)         There shall be no depositions for discovery purposes or interrogatories allowed in any proceedings brought pursuant to this Part, except as agreed to by the parties.

 

h)         For good cause shown, including but not limited to age, infirmity, or inability to travel, evidentiary depositions shall be allowed, by the agreement of the parties or order of the administrative law judge.

 

i)          Requests to Admit Facts and Genuineness of Documents shall be allowed in accordance with Supreme Court Rule 216.

 

j)          Nothing contained in this Section shall preclude the parties from agreeing to the voluntary exchange of more information than is required.

 

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.1130  Motions

 

a)         Motions, unless made during a hearing or pre-hearing, shall be made in writing and shall set forth the relief or order sought and the legal authority for the action requested. Except as otherwise provided in this Part or by a specific statute, motions may seek any relief or order recognized in the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure and Rules of the Illinois Supreme Court, and shall include a reference to the applicable Section of such Code or Rules.  Motions based on a matter that does not appear on record shall be supported by affidavit.

 

b)         Written motions shall be titled as to the party making the motion and the nature of the relief sought.  The title shall be in capital letters and shall be placed either below the caption or to the right of the caption beneath the docket number.  No motion shall be identically titled with any other motion. Examples of properly titled motions: Respondent's Motion to Dismiss, Respondent's Second Motion to Dismiss.

 

c)         Motions to the pleadings if not raised at the earliest opportunity shall be deemed waived. Motions to the pleadings shall not be granted if the pleadings are in conformity with Section 1130.1020.

 

d)         The administrative law judge shall not have the authority to dismiss, postpone, vacate, or overturn an order or notice issued by HFSRB, but may make a recommendation to HFSRB any time that circumstances merit such a recommendation.

 

e)         Motions for a continuance shall be granted only for good cause shown. Motions for a continuance shall be in writing and filed at least 5 working days prior to the hearing. Motions for a continuance shall be made immediately when the party learns that a continuance is needed and statements as to when the party learned that a continuance was needed, steps that were taken to avoid the continuance, and the current reasons the continuance is needed shall be contained in the motion. After one continuance has been granted to a party additional continuances may be granted to that party only if:

 

1)         a hearing on the issue of whether or not to grant the continuance has been held and the administrative law judge finds that the moving party has presented sufficient evidence showing entitlement to another continuance;

 

2)         there is an emergency; or

 

3)         all parties so stipulate.

 

f)         Whenever possible, as much of the hearing as possible shall be completed and only those matters that must be continued shall be continued.

 

g)         If there is an unforeseen emergency, motions for a continuance may be made by telephone rather than in writing. Motions by telephone shall be made through a conference call involving the administrative law judge and all parties and shall be confirmed within three business days by the filing of a written motion.

 

h)         Responses shall be in writing unless made at a prehearing conference or a hearing.

 

i)          Demands for a Bill of Particulars shall not be allowed.

 

j)          All motions under this Section shall be filed with the administrative law judge.

 

(Source:  Amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 14647, effective October 14, 2016)

 

Section 1130.1140  Subpoenas

 

a)         Subpoenas requiring the attendance and the giving of testimony by witnesses and subpoenas duces tecum requiring the production of books, papers, records or memoranda may be issued by HFSRB or the administrative law judge upon its own motion or upon the written request of any party to the proceeding.  HFSRB or the administrative law judge may require the party requesting the issuance of subpoenas to demonstrate the relevancy of the request to the issues in the hearing.  For good cause shown, HFSRB or the administrative law judge may deny or modify the request for subpoenas.

 

b)         Subpoenas issued by HFSRB or the administrative law judge upon the request of a party to the proceeding shall be delivered to the requesting party who shall be responsible for serving the subpoenas.  Subpoenas shall be served personally or by certified mail.

 

c)         The witness fee for attendance and travel shall be the same as the fee of the witness before the Circuit Courts of this State.  When a witness is subpoenaed by HFSRB or hearing officer upon its own motion or upon the request of HFSRB staff, the witness fee shall be paid in the same manner as other expenses of the agency.

 

d)        Subpoenas shall be enforced in the same manner as subpoenas issued by the Circuit Courts of this State.

 

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.1150  Administrative Law Judge's Report and Recommendation

 

a)         At the conclusion of an administrative hearing, the administrative law judge shall make a written report of the hearing, with findings of fact and conclusions of law and his or her recommendations, if any, to HFSRB through the HFSRB Administrator.  The report shall be accompanied by a transcript of the record, all exhibits admitted into evidence, copies of all pleadings and documents or evidence made a part of the record and any other material that is deemed to be a part of the record.

 

b)         The administrative law judge shall render a report as promptly as possible.  The administrative law judge shall take actions necessary to ensure that the hearing is completed within a reasonable period of time, which shall not exceed 120 days, except for delays or continuances agreed to by the person requesting the hearing (see Section 10 of the Act).

 

(Source:  Amended at 39 Ill. Reg. 6347, effective June 1, 2015)

 

Section 1130.1160 Proposal for Decision (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 39 Ill. Reg. 6347, effective June 1, 2015)

 

Section 1130.1170  Final Decision

 

a)         On the basis of the hearing or upon default of the party to the hearing, HFSRB shall make its final decision in each case, supported by concise written findings of fact and appropriate conclusions of law.  The decision and supporting findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be made a part of the official record of each hearing.

 

b)         A copy of HFSRB's decision shall be sent by Certified Mail or personally served upon all the parties.

 

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.1180  Records of Proceedings

 

a)         A full and complete record shall be kept of all proceedings.  The record shall consist of the following:

 

1)         all pleadings (including all notices and responses to pleadings), motions, and rulings;

 

2)         a transcript of the hearing, if any, and all evidence received;

 

3)         a statement of matters officially noticed;

 

4)         offers of proof, objections and rulings on those matters;

 

5)         proposed findings and exceptions;

 

6)         any decision, opinion or report by the administrative law judge;

 

7)         all staff memoranda or data submitted to the administrative law judge or members of the agency in connection with their consideration of the case; and

 

8)         any communication determined to be ex parte, but such communications shall not form the basis for any finding of fact. (See 20 ILCS 3960/4.2.)

 

b)         HFSRB shall be the official custodian of all papers and documents filed in proceedings before HFSRB.

 

c)         The records of administrative proceedings, including the transcript, are public records and shall be open to reasonable public inspection at the offices of HFSRB.  The administrative law judge reports shall be available for public inspection after it has been delivered to HFSRB.

 

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.1190  Miscellaneous

 

a)         Computation of Time.  The time within which any act under this Part is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday as defined or fixed by State statute, and then it shall also be excluded.  If the day succeeding the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, then the succeeding day shall also be excluded.

 

b)         Construction of Rules.  This Part shall not be construed to abrogate, modify, or limit any rights, privileges, or immunities granted or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States or the Constitution or laws of the State of Illinois.  In

case of any conflict between this Part and the IAPA or a specific licensing statute, the terms of the latter shall control.

 

c)         Waiver.  Compliance with any of this Part or with any or all provisions of the IAPA regarding contested cases may be waived by written stipulation of all parties.

 

(Source:  Added at 30 Ill. Reg. 14852, effective September 1, 2006)

 

Section 1130.1200  Copies of Pleadings to be Filed

 

Under this Part, the parties shall file answers, amendments, motions, and affidavits in support of

Motions, together with proof of service on all parties to the proceedings or their attorneys.

 

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 6227, effective June 1, 2013)

 

Section 1130.1210  Applicability

 

This Subpart applies to all contested cases.

 

(Source:  Added at 30 Ill. Reg. 14852, effective September 1, 2006)

Section 1130.APPENDIX A  Capital Expenditure Minimums/Review Thresholds

 

In accordance with the requirements of Section 3 of the Act, HFSRB's capital expenditure minimums and review thresholds are adjusted in July of each calendar year due to inflation. The Consumer Price Index is used to calculate the inflation factor for HFSRB's thresholds. The current minimums and review thresholds are available at https://hfsrb.illinois.gov/con-program.html.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 8366, effective July 1, 2025)