The appeal shall be heard in the county where the appellant resides. However, if the appellant is outside the State, the Illinois Department, Public Aid Committee, or Commissioner of Appeals, as the case may be, may take depositions from him and his witnesses or permit the appellant to present all relevant matter in support of his claim through witnesses acting in his behalf, or both by deposition or by testimony of witnesses, depending upon the circumstances in each case.
Hearings under this Section and Section 11-8.1 may be conducted with some or all of the parties, including the hearing officer, at different locations connected with each other by telephone.
305 ILCS 5/11-8.2