Upon written notice by the Department of the Board in any proceeding, parties or their attorneys may be directed to appear at a specified date, time and place for a conference, prior to the date set for any hearing in the particular proceeding, or, without notice on the date and at the place set for such hearing and prior to the commencement thereof or during the course of such hearing, for the purpose of formulating issues and considering:
Action taken at any conference pursuant to (a) above shall be recorded in an appropriate ruling by the Board unless the parties file a written stipulation as to such matters or agree to a statement thereof made on the record.
Ill. Admin. Code tit. 62, § 100.80