Combined Hearings

Section 337 Section 337.200  Combined Hearings When common issues are raised, the Administrator of the Administrative Hearings Unit may respond to requests for hearings from more than one appellant by conducting a single group hearing.  The Administrator of the Administrative Hearings Unit may also combine all issues involving a single appellant in one hearing.  Individuals shall be permitted to present their own cases separately.  The Administrator of the Administrative Hearings Unit, if required for the fair and efficient administration of the hearing or to prevent possible prejudice to the appellant, may sever any party or any issue from the combined hearing.  The party or issue severed from the combined hearing shall be heard separately.  When the issue being appealed is related to whether abuse or neglect occurred, and the indicated finding is under appeal through 89 Ill. Adm. Code 336, Appeal of Child Abuse and Neglect Investigation Findings, the Administrator of the Administrative Hearings Unit shall decide whether to hear the cases jointly, separately or one ahead of the other.  When considering this issue after reviewing the totality of the circumstances, the Administrator shall consider what is in the best interests of the child and rule accordingly.