(740 ILCS 174/1) Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Whistleblower Act. (Source: P.A. 93‑544, eff. 1‑1‑04.)
(740 ILCS 174/5) Sec. 5. Definitions. As used in this Act: "Employer" means: an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, firm,
corporation, association, and any other entity that has one or more
employees in this State, except that "employer" does not include any
governmental entity. "Employee" means any individual who is employed on a full‑time,
part‑time, or contractual basis by an employer. (Source: P.A. 93‑544, eff. 1‑1‑04.)
(740 ILCS 174/10) Sec. 10. Certain policies prohibited. An employer may not make,
adopt, or enforce any rule, regulation, or policy preventing an
employee from disclosing information to a government or law enforcement
agency if the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the
information discloses a violation of a State or federal law,
rule, or regulation. (Source: P.A. 93‑544, eff. 1‑1‑04.)
(740 ILCS 174/15) Sec. 15. Retaliation for certain disclosures prohibited. An employer
may not retaliate against an employee for disclosing information to a
government or law enforcement agency, where the employee has reasonable
cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of a State
or federal law, rule, or regulation. (Source: P.A. 93‑544, eff. 1‑1‑04.)
(740 ILCS 174/20) Sec. 20. Retaliation for certain refusals prohibited. An employer
may not retaliate against an employee for refusing to participate in an
activity that would result in a violation of a State or federal law,
rule, or
regulation. (Source: P.A. 93‑544, eff. 1‑1‑04.)
(740 ILCS 174/25) Sec. 25. Civil penalty. Violation of this Act is a Class A
misdemeanor. (Source: P.A. 93‑544, eff. 1‑1‑04.)
(740 ILCS 174/30) Sec. 30. Damages. If an employer takes any action against an
employee in violation of Section 15 or 20, the employee may bring a
civil action against the employer for all relief necessary to make the employee
whole, including but not limited to the following, as appropriate: (1) reinstatement with the same seniority status
that the employee would have had, but for the violation;
(2) back pay, with interest; and (3) compensation for any damages sustained as a
result of the violation, including litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney's fees.
(Source: P.A. 93‑544, eff. 1‑1‑04.)
(740 ILCS 174/35) Sec. 35. Exception. This Act does not apply to disclosures that
would constitute a violation of the attorney‑client privilege. (Source: P.A. 93‑544, eff. 1‑1‑04.)
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