225 ILCS 85/35.7
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 35.6 of this Act, the Secretary shall have 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 before the Board for refusal to issue, renew, or discipline of a license. The hearing officer shall have full authority to conduct the hearing. There may be present one or more members of the Board at any such hearing. The hearing officer shall report his findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations to the Board and the Secretary. The Board shall have 60 days from receipt of the report to 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 within the 60-day period, the respondent or the Department may request in writing a direct appeal to the Secretary, in which case the Secretary may issue an order based upon the report of the hearing officer and the record of the proceedings or issue an order remanding the matter back to the hearing officer for additional proceedings in accordance with the order. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, if the Secretary, upon review, determines that substantial justice has not been done in the revocation, suspension, or refusal to issue or renew a license or other disciplinary action taken as the result of the entry of the hearing officer's report, the Secretary may order a rehearing by the same or other examiners. If the Secretary disagrees with the recommendation of the Board or the hearing officer, the Secretary may issue an order in contravention of the recommendation.
225 ILCS 85/35.7