The Secretary has the authority to appoint an attorney, licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, to serve as a hearing officer in any action for refusal to issue or renew a license or to discipline a licensee. The hearing officer has full authority to conduct the hearing. A member or members of the Board may attend hearings. The hearing officer shall report his or her findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Board and to the Secretary. The Board shall have 60 calendar days from receipt of the report to review it and to present its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Secretary. If the Board does not present its report within the 60 day period, the Secretary may issue an order based on the report of the hearing officer. 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.
     The Secretary shall promptly provide notice to the Board of any such disagreement.