225 ILCS 407/20-55: Appointment of a hearing officer.

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2030)

The Secretary has the authority to appoint any attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois to serve as the hearing officer in any action for refusal to issue, restore, or renew a license or to discipline a licensee. The hearing officer has full authority to conduct the hearing. Any Board member may attend hearings. The hearing officer shall report his or her findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Board. The Board shall have 90 days after the date of receipt of the report of the hearing officer to present its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Secretary and to all parties to the proceedings.

If the Secretary disagrees with the recommendations of the Board or hearing officer, the Secretary may issue an order in contravention of the recommendations.

If the Board fails to present its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations within the 90-day time period, the Department may request in writing a direct appeal to the Secretary and 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. If the Board fails to present its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations within the 90-day time period after receiving an Order of Default, the Department may request in writing a direct appeal to the Secretary.