Illinois Code § 12

§ 12.

Administration and enforcement of the Act. (a) The Director of Labor or his authorized representative shall administer and enforce the provisions of this Act. The Director of Labor may issue rules and regulations necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this Act. (b) If an employee alleges that he or she has been denied his or her rights under this Act, he or she may file a complaint with the Department of Labor. The Department shall investigate the complaint and shall have authority to request the issuance of a search warrant or subpoena to inspect the files of the employer, if necessary. The Department shall attempt to resolve the complaint by conference, conciliation, or persuasion. If the complaint is not so resolved and the Department finds the employer has violated the Act, the Department may commence an action in the circuit court to enforce the provisions of this Act including an action to compel compliance. The circuit court for the county in which the complainant resides, in which the complainant is employed, or in which the personnel record is maintained shall have jurisdiction in such actions. (c) If an employer is alleged to have violated this Act and the Department has failed to resolve the complaint within 180 calendar days after the complaint is filed with the Department, or the Department certifies in writing that it is unlikely to be able to resolve the complaint within that 180 calendar days, an employee may commence an action in the circuit court to enforce the provisions of this Act, including actions to compel compliance. The circuit court for the county in which the complainant resides, in which the complainant is employed, or in which the personnel record is maintained shall have jurisdiction in such actions. (d) Failure to comply with an order of the court may be punished as contempt. In addition, the court shall award an employee prevailing in an action pursuant to this Act the following damages: (1) Actual damages plus costs. (2) For a willful and knowing violation of this Act, $200 plus costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and actual damages. (e) Any employer or his agent who violates the provisions of this Act is guilty of a petty offense. (f) Any employer or his agent, or the officer or agent of any private employer, who discharges or in any other manner discriminates against any employee because that employee has made a complaint to his employer, or to the Director or his authorized representative, or because that employee has caused to be instituted or is about to cause to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this Act, or because that employee has testified or is about to testify in an investigation or proceeding under this Act, is guilty of a petty offense. (Source: P.A. 103-727, eff. 1-1-25.)