(a) When a person in confinement under sentence for a term of one year or more at any correctional facility applies to the Governor for a pardon, the application shall be in writing stating in substance the reasons for the application. If the Governor, in his or her opinion, believes the reason stated in the application, if proved true, would constitute cause for granting the pardon, within reasonable time he or she shall designate a time and place for hearing the same. He or she shall cause notice of the application and of the hearing to be given to the applicant and to the State's Attorney of the county in which the applicant was convicted and sentenced.

(b) At the hearing, the Governor may direct as to the method of procedure in all respects and may adjourn the hearing from time to time as their convenience requires. When a decision has been made, it shall be communicated in writing to the applicant and to the State's Attorney, and, at the direction of the Governor, may be published in one or more newspapers published in the State. (Added 1971, No. 199 (Adj. Sess.), § 20.)