The Secretary shall have the authority to appoint any attorney duly licensed to practice law in this State to serve as the hearing officer in any action for refusal to issue or renew a license or permit or for the discipline of a licensee. The hearing officer shall have full authority to conduct the hearing. The hearing officer shall report his or her findings and recommendations to the Board and the Secretary . The Board shall have 60 days after receipt of the report to review the report of the hearing officer and present its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Secretary . If the Board fails to present its report within the 60-day period, the Secretary shall issue an order based on the report of the hearing officer. If the Secretary determines that the Board's report is contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence, he or she may issue an order in contravention of the Board's report.
225 ILCS 57/125