30 ILCS 740/3-8

The Department shall review and approve or disapprove within 60 days of receipt, each formal application submitted by any participant under Section 3-3. The Department shall consider the following factors in its review of any application:

(a) the level of need for the proposed project;

(b) the fiscal, managerial and operating capability of the proposed operator of the service; and

(c) the amount apportioned to the region.

If more than one application is received from within one county, the Department may require the submittal of a joint application.