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 for any action for refusal to issue or renew a license, for discipline of a licensee for sanctions for unlicensed practice, for restoration of a license, or for any other action for which findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations are required pursuant to Section 9.5 of this Act. The hearing officer shall have full authority to conduct the hearing and shall issue his or her findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Board pursuant to Section 9.5 of this Act.
225 ILCS 335/9.14