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Section 3-108(a): Plaintiff’s Complaint The complaint must allege that plaintiff was a party of record to administrative proceedings and that rights, privileges, or duties were adversely affected by the agency’s decision. Novosad v. Mitchell, 251 Ill. App. 3d 166 (4th Dist. 1993). • The complaint must request that the transcript of evidence shall be filed by the agency as part of the record. • The complaint must also contain a statement of the decision or part of the decision sought to be reviewed. • The plaintiff has the burden of proving that the agency was wrong, and a court may not substitute its judgment for that of the agency. Water Pipe Extension v. City of Chicago, 195 Ill. App. 3d 50 (1st Dist. 1990). |
Section 3-108(b): Defendant’s Answer “The agency must file the original or a certified copy of the entire record of proceedings under review, including such evidence as may have been heard and the findings and decisions made.” • This means that the agency does not have to frame the issues by filing an answer as provided for in other civil proceedings. Kaminski v. Illinois Liquor Control Comm’n, 20 Ill. App. 3d 416 (1st Dist. 1974). • If the agency has not reached a final decision, motion to dismiss for failure to exhaust administrative remedies. |
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Section 3-103: Commencement of Action • Every action to review shall be commenced by filing a complaint and issuance of summons within 35 days from the date that a copy of the decision was served upon the party affected by the decision • Except…. |
• If case is filed outside 35-day-limit, file motion to dismiss under Section 2-619(a)(1) 735 ILCS 5/2-619(a)(5) • If venue is prescribed by the agency’s statute, file motion to transfer venue under Sec. 3-104 (735 ILCS 5/3-104) • If review is not applicable under ARL, file motion to dismiss under Section 2-615 735 ILCS 5/2-615 • If review should have been filed directly in the appellate court, file motion to dismiss. There is no mechanism for transfer of an action wrongly filed in the circuit court. County of Coles v. Property Tax Appeal Bd., 275 Ill. App. 3d 945 (4th Dist. 1995) Improper service may be basis for motion to dismiss Improper parties may be motion to dismiss, but see P.A. 95-831, eff. 8/14/08. |
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Section 3-105: Service of summons • The method of service shall be as provided in the Act governing the procedure before the administrative agency, but if no method is provided, summons shall be deemed to have been served either when a copy of the summons is personally delivered or when a copy of the decision is deposited in the U.S. mail… postage prepaid, addressed to the party affected by the decision at his or her last known residence or place of business. (P.A. 95-831, eff. 8/14/08) • Service on the agency shall be made by the clerk of the court by sending a copy of the summons addressed to the agency at its main office in the State. • Service on the director or agency head, in his or her official capacity, shall be deemed service on the administrative agency, board, committee, or government entity. |
Section 3-106: Appearance of defendants • The agency shall appear by filing an answer consisting of a record, or a written motion in the cause or a written appearance. • All other defendants desiring to appear shall appear by filing a written appearance. |
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Section 3-107: Defendants SB 2111, P.A. 95-831, effective August 14, 2008. See Senate Transcript, 95th General Assembly 4/16/2008. |
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Section 3-110: Scope of review “The findings and conclusions of the administrative agency on questions of fact shall be held to be prima facie true and correct.” It is not a court’s function on administrative review to reweigh evidence or to make an independent determination of the facts. Cook County Republican Party v. Illinois State Board of Elections, 232 Ill. 2d 231, 244 (2009). Questions of law are reviewed de novo, while mixed questions of law and fact are reviewed under the clearly erroneous standard. Outcom, Inc. v. Illinois Department of Transportation, 233 Ill. 2d 324 (2009); Cinkus v. Village of Stickney Municipal Officers Electoral Bd., 228 Ill. 2d 200 (2008); City of Belvidere v. Illinois State Labor Rels. Bd., 181 Ill. 2d 191, 205 (1998). An administrative decision is clearly erroneous where the reviewing court is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made. American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, Council 31 v. Illinois State Labor Rels. Bd., 216 Ill. 2d 569, 577-78 (2005). |
Section 3-110: “No new or additional evidence in support of or in opposition to any finding, order, determination or decision of the administrative agency shall be heard by the court.” An administrative agency’s decision regarding the conduct of its hearing and the introduction of evidence is properly governed by an abuse of discretion standard and subject to reversal only if there is demonstrable prejudice to the party. Wilson v. Department of Prof’l Regulation, 344 Ill. App. 3d 897, 907 (1st Dist. 2003) |
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Section 3-111(a): The Circuit Court has nine delineated powers including the power • To dismiss parties, to correct misnomers, to realign parties, or to join agencies or parties (P.A. 95-831, eff. 8/14/08) • to stay the decision of the agency in whole or in part upon notice to the agency and good cause shown; • to affirm or reverse the decision in whole or in part; • to reverse and remand the decision in whole or in part, and, in that case, to state questions requiring further hearing or to give such other instruction as may be proper; • to remand for the purpose of taking additional evidence (However, the court shall not remand upon grounds of newly discovered evidence, unless the evidence could not upon exercise of reasonable diligence have been obtained in the administrative proceeding). |
Section 3-111(b): • Technical errors in the proceedings before the agency or its failure to observe the technical rules of evidence shall not constitute grounds for reversal, unless such error or failure materially affected the rights of any party and resulted in substantial injustice. |
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Briefing and Court Hearing (typically): • Plaintiff sets out what is sought to be reviewed in complaint • Court sets briefing schedule • Plaintiff files MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF COMPLAINT • Plaintiff has the burden of proof. Marconi v. Chicago Heights Police Pension Bd., 225 Ill.2d 497 (2007). • Plaintiff files a REPLY BRIEF, due either seven or 14 days from the filing of the RESPONSE BRIEF. Check the court’s local rules and check judges’ standing orders: some judges have maximum page limit, and require oral argument. In the Circuit Court of Cook County, the Chancery Division hears some administrative review actions; County Division hears Cook County Electoral Board cases pursuant to the statute, based on a petition for judicial review; Tax & Miscellaneous Remedies Section, Law Division, hears administrative review of IDOR cases and IDES cases; and, the First Municipal District, Civil Division, hears review of the City of Chicago’s Department of Administrative Review cases. |
RESPONSE BRIEF: Defendant’s RESPONSE BRIEF is typically due within 28 days of Plaintiff’s memorandum of law. Applicable standard of review may determine the direction the court takes on review. Standard depends on whether the question presented is one of fact, one of law, or a mixed question of fact and law. Cinkus v. Village of Stickney Municipal Officers Electoral Board, 228 Ill. 2d 200, 210 (2008). |
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Section 3-112: Appeals • Plaintiff may appeal final decision or order of judgment of the Circuit Court entered in an administrative review action, which is reviewable by appeal as in any other civil cases. • Method of review is filing Notice of Appeal. See Sup.Ct. Rule 301. File with clerk of the circuit court within 30 days of the entry of the final judgment. See Sup. Ct. Rule 303. |
Section 3-112: Appeals Defendant may file appeal as in any other civil cases. File with clerk of the circuit court within 30 days of the entry of the final judgment. See Sup. Ct. Rule 303. Agency may petition the court to stay its decision pending review. |
