Section 2123.170  Hearing Officers

a)         The Board shall conduct the hearing or may appoint any attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois to serve as a hearing officer.

b)         The hearing officer may be empowered to conduct the hearing, question witnesses, make rulings on motions and objections, and/or submit suggested Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law to the Board at the conclusion of the case.  The hearing officer may also afford the Board such legal counsel as it may require during the course of the hearing and until a final order is signed. It shall not be a bar to employment as hearing officer that the attorney is also an employee of the Office.