Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 21 of this Act, the Director shall have the authority to appoint any attorney duly licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois to serve as hearing officer in any action for refusal to issue or renew a license, or discipline of an applicant or licensee regulated by this Act. The Director shall notify the Board of any such appointment. The hearing officer shall have full authority to conduct the hearing. The hearing officer shall report his findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations to the Board and the Director. 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 Director. If the Board fails to present its report within the 60-day period, the Director shall issue an order based on the report of the hearing officer. If the Director disagrees in any regard with the report of the Board or hearing officer, he may issue an order in contravention thereof. The Director shall provide a written explanation to the Board on any such deviation, and shall specify with particularity the reasons for such action in the final order. Members of the Board may be present at all formal hearings brought under the provisions of this Act.