740 ILCS 174. Whistleblower Act.

    (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, including a political subdivision of the State; a unit of local government; a school district, combination of school districts, or governing body of a joint agreement of any type formed by two or more school districts; a community college district, State college or university, or any State agency whose major function is providing educational services; any authority including a department, division, bureau, board, commission, or other agency of these entities; and any person acting within the scope of his or her authority express or implied on behalf of those entities in dealing with its employees.
    "Employee" means any individual who is employed on a full-time, part-time, or contractual basis by an employer. "Employee" also includes, but is not limited to, a licensed physician who practices his or her profession, in whole or in part, at a hospital, nursing home, clinic, or any medical facility that is a health care facility funded, in whole or in part, by the State.
(Source: P.A. 95-128, eff. 1-1-08; 96-1253, eff. 1-1-11.)

    (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.
    (a) An employer may not retaliate against an employee who discloses information in a court, an administrative hearing, or before a legislative commission or committee, or in any other proceeding, where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation.
    (b) 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. 95-128, eff. 1-1-08.)

    (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, including, but not limited to, violations of the Freedom of Information Act.
(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)

    (740 ILCS 174/20.1)
    Sec. 20.1. Other retaliation. Any other act or omission not otherwise specifically set forth in this Act, whether within or without the workplace, also constitutes retaliation by an employer under this Act if the act or omission would be materially adverse to a reasonable employee and is because of the employee disclosing or attempting to disclose public corruption or wrongdoing.
(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)

    (740 ILCS 174/20.2)
    Sec. 20.2. Threatening retaliation. An employer may not threaten any employee with any act or omission if that act or omission would constitute retaliation against the employee under this Act.
(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)

    (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.)

    (740 ILCS 174/40)
    Sec. 40. Home Rule Limitation. It is the public policy of this State, pursuant to paragraphs (h) and (i) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution that the provisions of this Act are the exclusive exercise by the State of powers and functions which might otherwise be exercised by other home rule units. Such powers and functions may not be exercised concurrently, either directly or indirectly by any unit of local government, including any home rule unit except as otherwise authorized by this Act.
(Source: P.A. 95-128, eff. 1-1-08.)