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 person’s license to practice as a Licensed Professional Geologist or to discipline a licensee. The hearing officer has full authority to conduct the hearing. Members of the Board may attend each hearing. The hearing officer shall report his or her findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Board and the Secretary. The Board shall have 60 calendar days from receipt of the report to review the report of the hearing officer and 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 of the hearing officer, the Secretary may issue an order in contravention of the recommendation. The Secretary shall promptly provide a written report to the Board on any deviation, and shall specify the reasons for the action in the final order.