(30 ILCS 570/7.15)

Sec. 7.15. Private right of action.

(a) Any interested party or person aggrieved by a violation of this Act or any rule adopted under this Act may file suit in circuit court, in the county where the alleged offense occurred or where any party to the action resides, without regard to exhaustion of any alternative administrative remedies provided in this Act. Actions may only be brought (i) 30 days or more after a complaint has been filed with the Department of Labor by any interested party or person aggrieved by a violation of this Act or (ii) any time after the filing of a complaint if the Department of Labor notifies any interested party or person aggrieved by a violation of this Act that the Department will not proceed with the complaint. Actions may be brought by one or more persons or entities for and on behalf of themselves and other persons or entities similarly situated. A person or entity whose rights have been violated under this Act is entitled to collect:

(1) attorney's fees and costs; and

(2) compensatory damages in an amount not to exceed $500 for each violation of this Act or any rule adopted under this Act. Each violation of this Act for each worker and for each day the violation continues constitutes a separate and distinct violation.

(b) The right of an interested party or aggrieved person to bring an action under this Section terminates upon the passing of 3 years from the date of completion and acceptance of the public works project in question.

(Source: P.A. 96-929, eff. 6-16-10.)