225 ILCS 100/34

The Secretary has the authority to appoint any attorney duly licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois to serve as the hearing officer in any action for refusal to issue, restore, or renew a license or discipline of a license. The hearing officer shall have full authority to conduct the hearing. The hearing officer shall report his or her findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations to the Board and the Secretary. The Board shall review the report of the hearing officer and present their findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations to the Secretary. If the Board fails to present its report, the Secretary may issue an order based on the report of the hearing officer. If the Secretary disagrees in any regard with the report of the Board or hearing officer, he or she may issue an order in contravention of the Board's report.