Illinois Code § 10.07

§ 10.07.

For any injury to person or property, occasioned by any willful violation of this Act, or willful failure to comply with any of its provisions, a right of action shall accrue to the party injured, for any direct damages sustained thereby; and in case of loss of life by reason of such willful violation or willful failure, a right of action shall accrue to the personal representative of the person so killed for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin of such person and to any other person or persons who were, before such loss of life, dependent for support on the person or persons so killed for a like recovery of damages for the injuries sustained by reason of such loss of life or lives not to exceed the sum of $20,000.00. Every such action for damages in case of death shall be commenced within one year after the death of such person. The amount recovered by the personal representative of the person so killed shall be distributed to the surviving spouse and next of kin of such person in the proportion provided by law in relation to the distribution of personal property left by persons dying intestate. If and whenever there is in force in this State a statute or statutes providing for compensation to workers for all injuries received in the course of their employment, the provisions thereof shall apply in lieu of the right of action for damages provided in this Act. (Source: P.A. 83-340.)