(A) An applicant whose permit has been denied or a registered solicitor whose permit has been revoked shall have the right to appeal to the Hearing Officer the denial of the application for or revocation of the solicitor’s permit. Upon determining that grounds for a permit denial or revocation exists as set forth in §§ 111.11 or 111.12 of this chapter, the Director of Public Safety shall furnish written notice of the denial or revocation to the applicant or permit holder. Such notice shall summarize the principal reasons for the denial or revocation; shall state that the applicant or permit holder may appeal the decision by filing a written request for a hearing with the Director of Public Safety within ten business days of the postmarked date of the denial or revocation of the permit. If the request for hearing is timely made, the city’s Hearing Officer shall conduct a hearing within 21 calendar days of the filing of such request by the applicant or permit holder. Notice of time and place of the hearing shall be given to the applicant or permit holder at least seven calendar days in advance of the date set for the hearing. At the hearing, the applicant or permit holder and the city shall be entitled to present relevant evidence and call witnesses who shall testify under oath. All notices to the applicant or permit holder shall be delivered by sending the notice, by certified mail, postage pre-paid addressed to the applicant or permit holder as the name and address appears on the application of the applicant or permit holder.
(B) At the conclusion of the hearing, the Hearing Officer shall decide whether grounds for denial or revocation of the permit exist and shall submit a written report to the Director of Public Safety. Such report shall contain a brief summary of the evidence considered and shall state findings, conclusions and whether the decision of the Director of Public Safety is affirmed or reversed. If the Director of Public Safety’s decision is reversed, a permit shall be issued or reinstated as the case may be, forthwith. A copy of such report shall be forwarded by certified mail, postage prepaid to the applicant or permit holder within one day after it is filed with the Director of Public Safety. The decision of the Hearing Officer shall be final and binding on all parties concerned with said decision being subject to the State Administrative Review Law, ILCS Ch. 735, Act 5, §§ 3-101 et seq. The costs of preparing and certifying the record of the proceedings for filing with the Circuit Court shall be paid to the city by the appellant prior to the filing of such record with the court.
(Ord. 3775, passed 9-4-2012)