The Illinois Department may grant no more than 3 waivers from the requirements of this Act for facilities participating in the supported congregate living arrangement demonstration. A joint waiver request must be made by an applicant and the Department on Aging. If the Department on Aging does not act upon an application within 60 days, the applicant may submit a written waiver request on its own behalf. The waiver request must include a specific program plan describing the types of residents to be served and the services that will be provided in the facility. The Department shall conduct an on-site review at each facility annually or as often as necessary to ascertain compliance with the program plan, except that, during a statewide public health emergency, as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, the Department shall conduct on-site reviews and annual unannounced on-site visits to the extent feasible. The Department may revoke the waiver if it determines that the facility is not in compliance with the program plan. Nothing in this Section prohibits the Department from conducting complaint investigations.
     A facility granted a waiver under this Section is not subject to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, unless it subsequently applies for a certificate of need to convert to a nursing facility. A facility applying for conversion shall meet the licensure and certificate of need requirements in effect as of the date of application, and this provision may not be waived.