HB0345ham001 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Rep. Ann Williams

Filed: 4/13/2011

09700HB0345ham001 LRB097 03232 JDS 54470 a

AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 345

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 345 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The State Officials and Employees Ethics Act is amended by changing Sections 5-45, 20-50, and 50-5 as follows:

(5 ILCS 430/5-45)

Sec. 5-45. Procurement; revolving door prohibition.

(a) No former officer, member, or State employee, or spouse or immediate family member living with such person, shall, within a period of one year immediately after termination of State employment, knowingly accept employment or receive compensation or fees for services from a person or entity if the officer, member, or State employee, during the year immediately preceding termination of State employment, participated personally and substantially in the award of State contracts, or the issuance of State contract change orders, with a cumulative value of $25,000 or more to the person or entity, or its parent or subsidiary.

(b) No former officer of the executive branch or State employee of the executive branch with regulatory or licensing authority, or spouse or immediate family member living with such person, shall, within a period of one year immediately after termination of State employment, knowingly accept employment or receive compensation or fees for services from a person or entity if the officer or State employee, during the year immediately preceding termination of State employment, participated personally and substantially in making a regulatory or licensing decision that directly applied to the person or entity, or its parent or subsidiary.

(c) Within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, each executive branch constitutional officer and legislative leader, the Auditor General, and the Joint Committee on Legislative Support Services shall adopt a policy delineating which State positions under his or her jurisdiction and control, by the nature of their duties, may have the authority to participate personally and substantially in the award of State contracts or in regulatory or licensing decisions. The Governor shall adopt such a policy for all State employees of the executive branch not under the jurisdiction and control of any other executive branch constitutional officer.

The policies required under subsection (c) of this Section shall be filed with the appropriate ethics commission established under this Act or, for the Auditor General, with the Office of the Auditor General.

(d) Each Inspector General shall have the authority to determine that additional State positions under his or her jurisdiction, not otherwise subject to the policies required by subsection (c) of this Section, are nonetheless subject to the notification requirement of subsection (f) below due to their involvement in the award of State contracts or in regulatory or licensing decisions.

(e) The Joint Committee on Legislative Support Services, the Auditor General, and each of the executive branch constitutional officers and legislative leaders subject to subsection (c) of this Section shall provide written notification to all employees in positions subject to the policies required by subsection (c) or a determination made under subsection (d): (1) upon hiring, promotion, or transfer into the relevant position; and (2) at the time the employee's duties are changed in such a way as to qualify that employee. An employee receiving notification must certify in writing that the person was advised of the prohibition and the requirement to notify the appropriate Inspector General in subsection (f).

(f) Any State employee in a position subject to the policies required by subsection (c) or to a determination under subsection (d), but who does not fall within the prohibition of subsection (h) below, who is offered non-State employment during State employment or within a period of one year immediately after termination of State employment shall, prior to accepting such non-State employment, notify the appropriate Inspector General. Within 10 business calendar days after receiving notification from an employee in a position subject to the policies required by subsection (c), such Inspector General shall make a determination as to whether the State employee is restricted from accepting such employment by subsection (a) or (b). In making a determination, in addition to any other relevant information, an Inspector General shall assess the effect of the prospective employment or relationship upon decisions referred to in subsections (a) and (b), based on the totality of the participation by the former officer, member, or State employee in those decisions. A determination by an Inspector General must be in writing, signed and dated by the Inspector General, and delivered to the subject of the determination within 10 calendar days or the person is deemed eligible for the employment opportunity. For purposes of this subsection, "appropriate Inspector General" means (i) for members and employees of the legislative branch, the Legislative Inspector General; (ii) for the Auditor General and employees of the Office of the Auditor General, the Inspector General provided for in Section 30-5 of this Act; and (iii) for executive branch officers and employees, the Inspector General having jurisdiction over the officer or employee. Notice of any determination of an Inspector General and of any such appeal shall be given to the ultimate jurisdictional authority, the Attorney General, and the Executive Ethics Commission.

(g) An Inspector General's determination regarding restrictions under subsection (a) or (b) may be appealed to the appropriate Ethics Commission by the person subject to the decision or the Attorney General no later than the 10th business calendar day after the date of the determination.

On appeal, the Ethics Commission or Auditor General shall seek, accept, and consider written public comments regarding a determination. In deciding whether to uphold an Inspector General's determination, the appropriate Ethics Commission or Auditor General shall assess, in addition to any other relevant information, the effect of the prospective employment or relationship upon the decisions referred to in subsections (a) and (b), based on the totality of the participation by the former officer, member, or State employee in those decisions. The Ethics Commission shall decide whether to uphold an Inspector General's determination within 10 business calendar days or the person is deemed eligible for the employment opportunity.

(h) The following officers, members, or State employees shall not, within a period of one year immediately after termination of office or State employment, knowingly accept employment or receive compensation or fees for services from a person or entity if the person or entity or its parent or subsidiary, during the year immediately preceding termination of State employment, was a party to a State contract or contracts with a cumulative value of $25,000 or more involving the officer, member, or State employee's State agency, or was the subject of a regulatory or licensing decision involving the officer, member, or State employee's State agency, regardless of whether he or she participated personally and substantially in the award of the State contract or contracts or the making of the regulatory or licensing decision in question:

(1) members or officers;

(2) members of a commission or board created by the Illinois Constitution;

(3) persons whose appointment to office is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate;

(4) the head of a department, commission, board, division, bureau, authority, or other administrative unit within the government of this State;

(5) chief procurement officers, State purchasing officers, and their designees whose duties are directly related to State procurement; and

(6) chiefs of staff, deputy chiefs of staff, associate chiefs of staff, assistant chiefs of staff, and deputy governors.

(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)

(5 ILCS 430/20-50)

Sec. 20-50. Investigation reports.

(a) If an Executive Inspector General, upon the conclusion of an investigation, determines that reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation has occurred, then the Executive Inspector General shall issue a summary report of the investigation. The report shall be delivered to the appropriate ultimate jurisdictional authority and to the head of each State agency affected by or involved in the investigation, if appropriate. The appropriate ultimate jurisdictional authority or agency head shall respond to the summary report within 20 days, in writing, to the Executive Inspector General. The response shall include a description of any corrective or disciplinary action to be imposed.

(b) The summary report of the investigation shall include the following:

(1) A description of any allegations or other information received by the Executive Inspector General pertinent to the investigation.

(2) A description of any alleged misconduct discovered in the course of the investigation.

(3) Recommendations for any corrective or disciplinary action to be taken in response to any alleged misconduct described in the report, including but not limited to discharge.

(4) Other information the Executive Inspector General deems relevant to the investigation or resulting recommendations.

(c) Within 30 days after receiving a response from the appropriate ultimate jurisdictional authority or agency head under subsection (a), the Executive Inspector General shall notify the Commission and the Attorney General if the Executive Inspector General believes that a complaint should be filed with the Commission. If the Executive Inspector General desires to file a complaint with the Commission, the Executive Inspector General shall submit the summary report and supporting documents to the Attorney General. If the Attorney General concludes that there is insufficient evidence that a violation has occurred, the Attorney General shall notify the Executive Inspector General and the Executive Inspector General shall deliver to the Executive Ethics Commission a copy of the summary report and response from the ultimate jurisdictional authority or agency head. If the Attorney General determines that reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation has occurred, then the Executive Inspector General, represented by the Attorney General, may file with the Executive Ethics Commission a complaint. The complaint shall set forth the alleged violation and the grounds that exist to support the complaint. The complaint must be filed with the Commission within 18 months after the most recent act of the alleged violation or of a series of alleged violations except where there is reasonable cause to believe that fraudulent concealment has occurred. To constitute fraudulent concealment sufficient to toll this limitations period, there must be an affirmative act or representation calculated to prevent discovery of the fact that a violation has occurred. If a complaint is not filed with the Commission within 6 months after notice by the Inspector General to the Commission and the Attorney General, then the Commission may set a meeting of the Commission at which the Attorney General shall appear and provide a status report to the Commission.

(c-5) Within 30 days after receiving a response from the appropriate ultimate jurisdictional authority or agency head under subsection (a), if the Executive Inspector General does not believe that a complaint should be filed, the Executive Inspector General shall deliver to the Executive Ethics Commission a statement setting forth the basis for the decision not to file a complaint and a copy of the summary report and response from the ultimate jurisdictional authority or agency head. An Inspector General may also submit a redacted version of the summary report and response from the ultimate jurisdictional authority if the Inspector General believes either contains information that, in the opinion of the Inspector General, should be redacted prior to releasing the report, may interfere with an ongoing investigation, or identifies an informant or complainant.

(c-10) If, after reviewing the documents, the Commission believes that further investigation is warranted, the Commission may request that the Executive Inspector General provide additional information or conduct further investigation. The Commission may also appoint a Special Executive Inspector General to investigate or refer the summary report and response from the ultimate jurisdictional authority to the Attorney General for further investigation or review. If the Commission requests the Attorney General to investigate or review, the Commission must notify the Attorney General and the Inspector General. The Attorney General may not begin an investigation or review until receipt of notice from the Commission. If, after review, the Attorney General determines that reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation has occurred, then the Attorney General may file a complaint with the Executive Ethics Commission. If the Attorney General concludes that there is insufficient evidence that a violation has occurred, the Attorney General shall notify the Executive Ethics Commission and the appropriate Executive Inspector General.

(d) A copy of the complaint filed with the Executive Ethics Commission must be served on all respondents named in the complaint and on each respondent's ultimate jurisdictional authority in the same manner as process is served under the Code of Civil Procedure.

(e) A respondent may file objections to the complaint within 30 days after notice of the complaint petition has been served on the respondent.

(f) The Commission shall meet, either in person or by telephone, at least 30 days after the complaint is served on all respondents in a closed session to review the sufficiency of the complaint. The Commission shall issue notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Executive Inspector General, Attorney General, and all respondents of the Commission's ruling on the sufficiency of the complaint. If the complaint is deemed to sufficiently allege a violation of this Act, then the Commission shall include a hearing date scheduled within 4 weeks after the date of the notice, unless all of the parties consent to a later date. If the complaint is deemed not to sufficiently allege a violation, then the Commission shall send by certified mail, return receipt requested, a notice to the Executive Inspector General, Attorney General, and all respondents of the decision to dismiss the complaint.

(g) On the scheduled date the Commission shall conduct a closed meeting, either in person or, if the parties consent, by telephone, on the complaint and allow all parties the opportunity to present testimony and evidence. All such proceedings shall be transcribed.

(h) Within an appropriate time limit set by rules of the Executive Ethics Commission, the Commission shall (i) dismiss the complaint, (ii) issue a recommendation of discipline to the respondent and the respondent's ultimate jurisdictional authority, (iii) impose an administrative fine upon the respondent, (iv) issue injunctive relief as described in Section 50-10, or (v) impose a combination of (ii) through (iv).

(i) The proceedings on any complaint filed with the Commission shall be conducted pursuant to rules promulgated by the Commission.

(j) The Commission may designate hearing officers to conduct proceedings as determined by rule of the Commission.

(k) In all proceedings before the Commission, the standard of proof is by a preponderance of the evidence.

(l) Within 30 days after the issuance of a final administrative decision that concludes that a violation occurred, the Executive Ethics Commission shall make public the entire record of proceedings before the Commission, the decision, any recommendation, any discipline imposed, and the response from the agency head or ultimate jurisdictional authority to the Executive Ethics Commission.

(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)

(5 ILCS 430/50-5)

Sec. 50-5. Penalties.

(a) A person is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to $20,000 if that person intentionally violates any provision of Section 5-15, 5-30, 5-40, or 5-45 or Article 15.

(a-1) In addition to any other penalty that may apply, whether criminal or civil, an An ethics commission may levy an administrative fine for a violation of Section 5-45 of this Act of up to 3 times the total annual compensation that would have been obtained in violation of Section 5-45.

(b) A person who intentionally violates any provision of Section 5-20, 5-35, 5-50, or 5-55 is guilty of a business offense subject to a fine of at least $1,001 and up to $5,000.

(c) A person who intentionally violates any provision of Article 10 is guilty of a business offense and subject to a fine of at least $1,001 and up to $5,000.

(d) Any person who intentionally makes a false report alleging a violation of any provision of this Act to an ethics commission, an inspector general, the State Police, a State's Attorney, the Attorney General, or any other law enforcement official is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to $20,000.

(e) In addition to any other penalty that may apply, whether criminal or civil, an An ethics commission may levy an administrative fine of up to $20,000 $5,000 against any person who violates this Act, who intentionally obstructs or interferes with an investigation conducted under this Act by an inspector general, or who intentionally makes a false, frivolous, or bad faith allegation.

(f) In addition to any other penalty that may apply, whether criminal or civil, a State employee who intentionally violates any provision of Section 5-5, 5-15, 5-20, 5-30, 5-35, 5-45, or 5-50, Article 10, Article 15, or Section 20-90 or 25-90 is subject to discipline or discharge by the appropriate ultimate jurisdictional authority.

(Source: P.A. 96-555, eff. 8-18-09.)

Section 10. The Illinois Procurement Code is amended by changing Section 50-60 and by adding Section 50-33 as follows:

(30 ILCS 500/50-33 new)

Sec. 50-33. Lawful and ethical conduct.

(a) No person shall enter into or perform a contract with a State agency or enter into or perform a subcontract under this Code if that person has engaged in conduct, alone or in concert with any other person, relating to the contract or subcontract which would constitute a violation of Section 17-9, Section 17-10, Section 17-24, Article 33, Section 33C-4, or Article 33E of the Criminal Code of 1961, or any similar federal offense.

(b) Every bid submitted and contract executed by the State and every subcontract subject to Section 20-120 of this Code shall contain a certification by the bidder, contractor, or subcontractor, respectively, that the bidder, contractor, or subcontractor is not barred from bidding for, entering into, or performing a contract under subsection (a) of this Section and that he or she acknowledges that the chief procurement officer may declare the related contract void if any of the certifications completed pursuant to this subsection (b) are false.

(30 ILCS 500/50-60)

Sec. 50-60. Voidable contracts.

(a) If any contract or amendment thereto is entered into or purchase or expenditure of funds is made at any time in violation of this Code or any other law, the contract or amendment thereto may be declared void by the chief procurement officer or may be ratified and affirmed, provided the chief procurement officer determines that ratification is in the best interests of the State. If the contract is ratified and affirmed, it shall be without prejudice to the State's rights to any appropriate damages.

(b) If, during the term of a contract, the chief procurement officer determines that the contractor is delinquent in the payment of debt as set forth in Section 50-11 of this Code, the chief procurement officer may declare the contract void if it determines that voiding the contract is in the best interests of the State. The Debt Collection Bureau shall adopt rules for the implementation of this subsection (b).

(c) If, during the term of a contract, the chief procurement officer determines that the contractor is in violation of Section 50-10.5 of this Code, the chief procurement officer shall declare the contract void.

(d) If, during the term of a contract, the contracting agency learns from an annual certification or otherwise determines that the contractor no longer qualifies to enter into State contracts by reason of Section 50-5, 50-10, 50-12, 50-14, or 50-14.5, or 50-33 of this Article, the chief procurement officer may declare the contract void if it determines that voiding the contract is in the best interests of the State.

(e) If, during the term of a contract, the chief procurement officer learns from an annual certification or otherwise determines that a subcontractor subject to Section 20-120 no longer qualifies to enter into State contracts by reason of Section 50-5, 50-10, 50-10.5, 50-11, 50-12, 50-14, or 50-14.5, or 50-33 of this Article, the chief procurement officer may declare the related contract void if it determines that voiding the contract is in the best interests of the State.

(f) The changes to this Section made by Public Act 96-795 apply to actions taken by the chief procurement officer on or after July 1, 2010.

(Source: P.A. 96-493, eff. 1-1-10; 96-795, eff. 7-1-10 (see Section 5 of P.A. 96-793 for the effective date of changes made by P.A. 96-795); 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)

Section 15. The Criminal Code of 1961 is amended by changing Sections 33-7, 33E-2, and 33E-7 as follows:

(720 ILCS 5/33-7)

Sec. 33-7. Public contractor misconduct.

(a) A public contractor; a person seeking a public contract on behalf of himself, herself, or another; an employee of a public contractor; or a person seeking a public contract on behalf of himself, herself, or another commits public contractor misconduct when, in the performance of, or in connection with, a contract with the State, a unit of local government, or a school district or in obtaining or seeking to obtain such a contract he or she commits any of the following acts:

(1) intentionally or knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used a false record or statement to conceal, avoid, or decrease an obligation to pay or transmit money or property;

(2) knowingly performs an act that he or she knows he or she is forbidden by law to perform;

(3) with intent to obtain a personal advantage for himself, herself, or another, he or she performs an act in excess of his or her contractual responsibility;

(4) solicits or offers or knowingly accepts or provides for the performance of any act a fee or reward that he or she knows is not authorized by law; or

(5) knowingly or intentionally seeks or receives compensation or reimbursement for goods and services he or she purported to deliver or render, but failed to do so pursuant to the terms of the contract, to the unit of State or local government or school district.

(b) Sentence. Any person who violates this Section commits a Class 3 felony. Any person convicted of this offense or a similar offense in any state of the United States which contains the same elements of this offense shall be barred for 10 years from the date of conviction from contracting with, employment by, or holding public office with the State or any unit of local government or school district. No corporation shall be barred as a result of a conviction under this Section of any employee or agent of such corporation if the employee so convicted is no longer employed by the corporation and (1) it has been finally adjudicated not guilty or (2) it demonstrates to the government entity with which it seeks to contract, and that entity finds, that the commission of the offense was neither authorized, requested, commanded, nor performed by a director, officer or high managerial agent on behalf of the corporation as provided in paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Section 5-4 of this Code.

(c) The Attorney General or the State's Attorney in the county where the principal office of the unit of local government or school district is located may bring a civil action on behalf of any unit of State or local government to recover a civil penalty from any person who knowingly engages in conduct which violates subsection (a) of this Section in treble the amount of the monetary cost to the unit of State or local government or school district involved in the violation. The Attorney General or State's Attorney shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees as part of the costs assessed to the defendant. This subsection (c) shall in no way limit the ability of any unit of State or local government or school district to recover moneys or damages regarding public contracts under any other law or ordinance. A civil action shall be barred unless the action is commenced within 6 years after the later of (1) the date on which the conduct establishing the cause of action occurred or (2) the date on which the unit of State or local government or school district knew or should have known that the conduct establishing the cause of action occurred.

(d) This amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall not be construed to create a private right of action.

(Source: P.A. 96-575, eff. 8-18-09.)

(720 ILCS 5/33E-2) (from Ch. 38, par. 33E-2)

Sec. 33E-2. Definitions. In this Act:

(a) "Public contract" means any contract for goods, services or construction let to any person with or without bid by any unit of State or local government.

(b) "Unit of State or local government" means the State, any unit of state government or agency thereof, any county or municipal government or committee or agency thereof, or any other entity which is funded by or expends tax dollars or the proceeds of publicly guaranteed bonds.

(c) "Change order" means a change in a contract term other than as specifically provided for in the contract which authorizes or necessitates any increase or decrease in the cost of the contract or the time to completion.

(d) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, joint venture or other entity, but does not include a unit of State or local government.

(e) "Person employed by any unit of State or local government" means any employee of a unit of State or local government and any person defined in subsection (d) who is authorized by such unit of State or local government to act on its behalf in relation to any public contract.

(f) "Sheltered market" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 8b of the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act.

(g) "Kickback" means any money, fee, commission, credit, gift, gratuity, thing of value, or compensation of any kind which is provided, directly or indirectly, to any person employed by any unit of State or local government, prime contractor, prime contractor employee, subcontractor, or subcontractor employee for the purpose of improperly obtaining or rewarding favorable treatment in connection with a prime contract or in connection with a subcontract relating to a prime contract.

(h) "Prime contractor" means any person who has entered into a public contract.

(i) "Prime contractor employee" means any officer, partner, employee, or agent of a prime contractor.

(i-5) "Stringing" means knowingly structuring a contract or job order to avoid the contract or job order being subject to competitive bidding requirements.

(j) "Subcontract" means a contract or contractual action entered into by a prime contractor or subcontractor for the purpose of obtaining goods or services of any kind under a prime contract.

(k) "Subcontractor" (1) means any person, other than the prime contractor, who offers to furnish or furnishes any goods or services of any kind under a prime contract or a subcontract entered into in connection with such prime contract; and (2) includes any person who offers to furnish or furnishes goods or services to the prime contractor or a higher tier subcontractor.

(l) "Subcontractor employee" means any officer, partner, employee, or agent of a subcontractor.

(Source: P.A. 92-16, eff. 6-28-01.)

(720 ILCS 5/33E-7) (from Ch. 38, par. 33E-7)

Sec. 33E-7. Kickbacks. (a) A person, including a person employed by any unit of State or local government, violates this Section when he knowingly either:

(1) provides, attempts to provide or offers to provide any kickback;

(2) solicits, accepts or attempts to accept any kickback; or

(3) includes, directly or indirectly, the amount of any kickback prohibited by paragraphs (1) or (2) of this subsection (a) in the contract price charged by a subcontractor to a prime contractor or a higher tier subcontractor or in the contract price charged by a prime contractor to any unit of State or local government for a public contract.

(b) Any person, including a person employed by any unit of State or local government, violates this Section when he has received an offer of a kickback, or has been solicited to make a kickback, and fails to report it to law enforcement officials, including but not limited to the Attorney General or the State's Attorney for the county in which the contract is to be performed.

(c) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class 3 felony. A violation of subsection (b) is a Class 4 felony.

(d) Any unit of State or local government may, in a civil action, recover a civil penalty from any person who knowingly engages in conduct which violates paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of this Section in twice the amount of each kickback involved in the violation. This subsection (d) shall in no way limit the ability of any unit of State or local government to recover monies or damages regarding public contracts under any other law or ordinance. A civil action shall be barred unless the action is commenced within 6 years after the later of (1) the date on which the conduct establishing the cause of action occurred or (2) the date on which the unit of State or local government knew or should have known that the conduct establishing the cause of action occurred.

(Source: P.A. 85-1295.)

Section 20. The Illinois False Claims Act is amended by changing Section 4 as follows:

(740 ILCS 175/4) (from Ch. 127, par. 4104)

Sec. 4. Civil actions for false claims.

(a) Responsibilities of the Attorney General and the Department of State Police. The Attorney General or the Department of State Police shall diligently investigate a civil violation under Section 3. If the Attorney General finds that a person violated or is violating Section 3, the Attorney General may bring a civil action under this Section against the person.

The State shall receive an amount for reasonable expenses that the court finds to have been necessarily incurred by the Attorney General, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. All such expenses, fees, and costs shall be awarded against the defendant. The court may award amounts from the proceeds of an action or settlement that it considers appropriate to any governmental entity or program that has been adversely affected by a defendant. The Attorney General, if necessary, shall direct the State Treasurer to make a disbursement of funds as provided in court orders or settlement agreements.

(b) Actions by private persons.

(1) A person may bring a civil action for a violation of Section 3 for the person and for the State. The action shall be brought in the name of the State. The action may be dismissed only if the court and the Attorney General give written consent to the dismissal and their reasons for consenting.

(2) A copy of the complaint and written disclosure of substantially all material evidence and information the person possesses shall be served on the State. The complaint shall be filed in camera, shall remain under seal for at least 60 days, and shall not be served on the defendant until the court so orders. The State may elect to intervene and proceed with the action within 60 days after it receives both the complaint and the material evidence and information.

(3) The State may, for good cause shown, move the court for extensions of the time during which the complaint remains under seal under paragraph (2). Any such motions may be supported by affidavits or other submissions in camera. The defendant shall not be required to respond to any complaint filed under this Section until 20 days after the complaint is unsealed and served upon the defendant.

(4) Before the expiration of the 60-day period or any extensions obtained under paragraph (3), the State shall:

(A) proceed with the action, in which case the action shall be conducted by the State; or

(B) notify the court that it declines to take over the action, in which case the person bringing the action shall have the right to conduct the action.

(5) When a person brings an action under this subsection (b), no person other than the State may intervene or bring a related action based on the facts underlying the pending action.

(c) Rights of the parties to Qui Tam actions.

(1) If the State proceeds with the action, it shall have the primary responsibility for prosecuting the action, and shall not be bound by an act of the person bringing the action. Such person shall have the right to continue as a party to the action, subject to the limitations set forth in paragraph (2).

(2)(A) The State may dismiss the action notwithstanding the objections of the person initiating the action if the person has been notified by the State of the filing of the motion and the court has provided the person with an opportunity for a hearing on the motion.

(B) The State may settle the action with the defendant notwithstanding the objections of the person initiating the action if the court determines, after a hearing, that the proposed settlement is fair, adequate, and reasonable under all the circumstances. Upon a showing of good cause, such hearing may be held in camera.

(C) Upon a showing by the State that unrestricted participation during the course of the litigation by the person initiating the action would interfere with or unduly delay the State's prosecution of the case, or would be repetitious, irrelevant, or for purposes of harassment, the court may, in its discretion, impose limitations on the person's participation, such as:

(i) limiting the number of witnesses the person may call:

(ii) limiting the length of the testimony of such witnesses;

(iii) limiting the person's cross-examination of witnesses; or

(iv) otherwise limiting the participation by the person in the litigation.

(D) Upon a showing by the defendant that unrestricted participation during the course of the litigation by the person initiating the action would be for purposes of harassment or would cause the defendant undue burden or unnecessary expense, the court may limit the participation by the person in the litigation.

(3) If the State elects not to proceed with the action, the person who initiated the action shall have the right to conduct the action. If the State so requests, it shall be served with copies of all pleadings filed in the action and shall be supplied with copies of all deposition transcripts (at the State's expense). When a person proceeds with the action, the court, without limiting the status and rights of the person initiating the action, may nevertheless permit the State to intervene at a later date upon a showing of good cause.

(4) Whether or not the State proceeds with the action, upon a showing by the State that certain actions of discovery by the person initiating the action would interfere with the State's investigation or prosecution of a criminal or civil matter arising out of the same facts, the court may stay such discovery for a period of not more than 60 days. Such a showing shall be conducted in camera. The court may extend the 60-day period upon a further showing in camera that the State has pursued the criminal or civil investigation or proceedings with reasonable diligence and any proposed discovery in the civil action will interfere with the ongoing criminal or civil investigation or proceedings.

(5) Notwithstanding subsection (b), the State may elect to pursue its claim through any alternate remedy available to the State, including any administrative proceeding to determine a civil money penalty. If any such alternate remedy is pursued in another proceeding, the person initiating the action shall have the same rights in such proceeding as such person would have had if the action had continued under this Section. Any finding of fact or conclusion of law made in such other proceeding that has become final shall be conclusive on all parties to an action under this Section. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a finding or conclusion is final if it has been finally determined on appeal to the appropriate court, if all time for filing such an appeal with respect to the finding or conclusion has expired, or if the finding or conclusion is not subject to judicial review.

(d) Award to Qui Tam plaintiff.

(1) If the State proceeds with an action brought by a person under subsection (b), such person shall, subject to the second sentence of this paragraph, receive at least 15% but not more than 25% of the proceeds of the action or settlement of the claim, depending upon the extent to which the person substantially contributed to the prosecution of the action. Where the action is one which the court finds to be based primarily on disclosures of specific information (other than information provided by the person bringing the action) relating to allegations or transactions in a criminal, civil, or administrative hearing, in a legislative, administrative, or Auditor General's report, hearing, audit, or investigation, or from the news media, the court may award such sums as it considers appropriate, but in no case more than 10% of the proceeds, taking into account the significance of the information and the role of the person bringing the action in advancing the case to litigation. Any payment to a person under the first or second sentence of this paragraph (1) shall be made from the proceeds. Any such person shall also receive an amount for reasonable expenses which the court finds to have been necessarily incurred, plus reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. The State shall also receive an amount for reasonable expenses which the court finds to have been necessarily incurred by the Attorney General, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. All such expenses, fees, and costs shall be awarded against the defendant. The court may award amounts from the proceeds of an action or settlement that it considers appropriate to any governmental entity or program that has been adversely affected by a defendant. The Attorney General, if necessary, shall direct the State Treasurer to make a disbursement of funds as provided in court orders or settlement agreements.

(2) If the State does not proceed with an action under this Section, the person bringing the action or settling the claim shall receive an amount which the court decides is reasonable for collecting the civil penalty and damages. The amount shall be not less than 25% and not more than 30% of the proceeds of the action or settlement and shall be paid out of such proceeds. Such person shall also receive an amount for reasonable expenses which the court finds to have been necessarily incurred, plus reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. All such expenses, fees, and costs shall be awarded against the defendant. The court may award amounts from the proceeds of an action or settlement that it considers appropriate to any governmental entity or program that has been adversely affected by a defendant. The Attorney General, if necessary, shall direct the State Treasurer to make a disbursement of funds as provided in court orders or settlement agreements.

(3) Whether or not the State proceeds with the action, if the court finds that the action was brought by a person who planned and initiated the violation of Section 3 upon which the action was brought, then the court may, to the extent the court considers appropriate, reduce the share of the proceeds of the action which the person would otherwise receive under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection (d), taking into account the role of that person in advancing the case to litigation and any relevant circumstances pertaining to the violation. If the person bringing the action is convicted of criminal conduct arising from his or her role in the violation of Section 3, that person shall be dismissed from the civil action and shall not receive any share of the proceeds of the action. Such dismissal shall not prejudice the right of the State to continue the action, represented by the Attorney General.

(4) If the State does not proceed with the action and the person bringing the action conducts the action, the court may award to the defendant its reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses if the defendant prevails in the action and the court finds that the claim of the person bringing the action was clearly frivolous, clearly vexatious, or brought primarily for purposes of harassment.

(e) Certain actions barred.

(1) No court shall have jurisdiction over an action brought by a former or present member of the Guard under subsection (b) of this Section against a member of the Guard arising out of such person's service in the Guard.

(2)(A) No court shall have jurisdiction over an action brought under subsection (b) against a member of the General Assembly, a member of the judiciary, or an exempt official if the action is based on evidence or information known to the State when the action was brought.

(B) For purposes of this paragraph (2), "exempt official" means any of the following officials in State service: directors of departments established under the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the Adjutant General, the Assistant Adjutant General, the Director of the State Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, members of the boards and commissions, and all other positions appointed by the Governor by and with the consent of the Senate.

(3) In no event may a person bring an action under subsection (b) which is based upon allegations or transactions which are the subject of a civil suit or an administrative civil money penalty proceeding in which the State is already a party.

(4)(A) The court shall dismiss an action or claim under this Section, unless opposed by the State, if substantially the same allegations or transactions as alleged in the action or claim were publicly disclosed: No court shall have jurisdiction over an action under this Section based upon the public disclosure of allegations or transactions

(i) in a criminal, civil, or administrative hearing in which the State or its agent is a party; ,

(ii) in a legislative, administrative, or Auditor General, or other State General's report, hearing, audit, or investigation; , or

(iii) from the news media,

unless the action is brought by the Attorney General or the person bringing the action is an original source of the information.

(B) For purposes of this paragraph (4), "original source" means an individual who either (i) prior to a public disclosure under subsection (e)(4)(A), has voluntarily disclosed to the State the information on which allegations or transactions in a claim are based, or (ii) who has knowledge that is independent of and materially adds to the publicly disclosed allegations or transactions, and who has voluntarily provided the information to the State before filing an action under this Section. who has direct and independent knowledge of the information on which the allegations are based and has voluntarily provided the information to the State before filing an action under this Section which is based on the information.

(f) State not liable for certain expenses. The State is not liable for expenses which a person incurs in bringing an action under this Section.

(g) Relief from retaliatory actions.

(1) In general, any employee, contractor, or agent shall be is entitled to all relief necessary to make that employee, contractor, or agent whole, if that employee, contractor, or agent is discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed, or in any other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment because of lawful acts done by the employee, contractor, or agent on behalf of the employee, contractor, or agent or associated others in furtherance of an action under this Section or other efforts to stop one or more violations of this Act.

(2) Relief under paragraph (1) shall include reinstatement with the same seniority status that the employee, contractor, or agent would have had but for the discrimination, 2 times the amount of back pay, interest on the back pay, and compensation for any special damages sustained as a result of the discrimination, including litigation costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. An action under this subsection (g) may be brought in the appropriate circuit court for the relief provided in this subsection (g).

(3) A civil action under this subsection may not be brought more than 3 years after the date when the retaliation occurred.

(Source: P.A. 96-1304, eff. 7-27-10.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.".