ILL LEG passed Bill HB 5561 to expand whistleblower protections against retaliation.
Provisions amended several sections of the Whistleblower act (ILL LEG 740-174).
ILL AG issued a statement in support of legislation to expand worker protections.
Whistleblower Act
Protects workers from retaliatory conduct by employers, strengthens State protections.
Also codifies authority of the AG Workplace Rights Bureau to investigate retaliations.
Broadens scope of conduct protected under Whistleblower act to protect employees who report violations of the law, threats to public health and safety to their employer.
Expands definition of retaliation to include blacklisting, immigration-based retaliation.
Retaliatory action does not include actions taken at the request of the government, or under federal law, or truthful, performance-based evaluations done in good faith.
Employee can bring action against employer for injunctive relief, backpay with interest, reinstatement, compensation, liquidated damages up to $10k, and $10k civil penalty.
AG may compel compliance with investigations by any court of competent jurisdiction.
A civil penalty imposed by the AG will be deposited into the AG payment projects fund.
Legislative History
On Feb. 9, 2024, bill introduced in House; on May 14, 2024, bill was passed in House.
On May 15, 2024, bill delivered to Senate; on May 23, 2024, bill was passed in Senate.
Effectiveness
Act takes effect on Jan. 1, 2025, applies to claims/complaints filed on/after that date.
Aug. 2024 ILL LEG Bill Passage
On Aug. 9, 2024, ILL LEG reported governor signed bill into law, assigned PA 103-0867
On the same day, ILL AG issued remarks in support of worker protection expansion.
Regulators
ILL AG; ILL LEG
Entity Types
CNSM; Corp
Reference
PR, PA 103-0867, 8/9/2024; PR, 5/24/2024; Bill HB5561, 5/23/2024; PR, 3/14/2024; Citation: ILL LEG 740-174;
