SB2739 Enrolled LRB094 15329 LCT 50520 b

1     AN ACT concerning civil liabilities.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act is
5 amended by changing Section 6 as follows:
 
6     (740 ILCS 175/6)  (from Ch. 127, par. 4106)
7     Sec. 6. Subpoenas.
8     (a) In general.
9         (1) Issuance and service. Whenever the Attorney
10     General has reason to believe that any person may be in
11     possession, custody, or control of any documentary
12     material or information relevant to an investigation, the
13     Attorney General may, before commencing a civil proceeding
14     under this Act, issue in writing and cause to be served
15     upon such person, a subpoena requiring such person:
16             (A) to produce such documentary material for
17         inspection and copying,
18             (B) to answer, in writing, written interrogatories
19         with respect to such documentary material or
20         information,
21             (C) to give oral testimony concerning such
22         documentary material or information, or
23             (D) to furnish any combination of such material,
24         answers, or testimony.
25     The Attorney General may delegate the authority to issue
26     subpoenas under this subsection (a) to the Department of
27     State Police subject to conditions as the Attorney General
28     deems appropriate. Whenever a subpoena is an express demand
29     for any product of discovery, the Attorney General or his
30     or her delegate shall cause to be served, in any manner
31     authorized by this Section, a copy of such demand upon the
32     person from whom the discovery was obtained and shall

 

 

SB2739 Enrolled - 2 - LRB094 15329 LCT 50520 b

1     notify the person to whom such demand is issued of the date
2     on which such copy was served.
3         (1.5) Where a subpoena requires the production of
4     documentary material, the respondent shall produce the
5     original of the documentary material, provided, however,
6     that the Attorney General may agree that copies may be
7     substituted for the originals. All documentary material
8     kept or stored in electronic form, including electronic
9     mail, shall be produced in hard copy, unless the Attorney
10     General agrees that electronic versions may be substituted
11     for the hard copy. The production of documentary material
12     shall be made at the respondent's expense.
13         (2) Contents and deadlines. Each subpoena issued under
14     paragraph (1):
15             (A) Shall state the nature of the conduct
16         constituting an alleged violation that is under
17         investigation and the applicable provision of law
18         alleged to be violated.
19             (B) Shall identify the individual causing the
20         subpoena to be served and to whom communications
21         regarding the subpoena should be directed.
22             (C) Shall state the date, place, and time at which
23         the person is required to appear, produce written
24         answers to interrogatories, produce documentary
25         material or give oral testimony. The date shall not be
26         less than 10 days from the date of service of the
27         subpoena. Compliance with the subpoena shall be at the
28         Office of the Attorney General in either the
29         Springfield or Chicago location or at other location by
30         agreement.
31             (D) If the subpoena is for documentary material or
32         interrogatories, shall describe the documents or
33         information requested with specificity.
34             (E) Shall notify the person of the right to be
35         assisted by counsel.
36             (F) Shall advise that the person has 20 days from

 

 

SB2739 Enrolled - 3 - LRB094 15329 LCT 50520 b

1         the date of service or up until the return date
2         specified in the demand, whichever date is earlier, to
3         move, modify, or set aside the subpoena pursuant to
4         subparagraph (j)(2)(A) of this Section.
5     (b) Protected material or information.
6         (1) In general. A subpoena issued under subsection (a)
7     may not require the production of any documentary material,
8     the submission of any answers to written interrogatories,
9     or the giving of any oral testimony if such material,
10     answers, or testimony would be protected from disclosure
11     under:
12             (A) the standards applicable to subpoenas or
13         subpoenas duces tecum issued by a court of this State
14         to aid in a grand jury investigation; or
15             (B) the standards applicable to discovery requests
16         under the Code of Civil Procedure, to the extent that
17         the application of such standards to any such subpoena
18         is appropriate and consistent with the provisions and
19         purposes of this Section.
20         (2) Effect on other orders, rules, and laws. Any such
21     subpoena which is an express demand for any product of
22     discovery supersedes any inconsistent order, rule, or
23     provision of law (other than this Section) preventing or
24     restraining disclosure of such product of discovery to any
25     person. Disclosure of any product of discovery pursuant to
26     any such subpoena does not constitute a waiver of any right
27     or privilege which the person making such disclosure may be
28     entitled to invoke to resist discovery of trial preparation
29     materials.
30     (c) Service in general. Any subpoena issued under
31 subsection (a) may be served by any person so authorized by the
32 Attorney General or by any person authorized to serve process
33 on individuals within Illinois, through any method prescribed
34 in the Code of Civil Procedure or as otherwise set forth in
35 this Act.
36     (d) Service upon legal entities and natural persons.

 

 

SB2739 Enrolled - 4 - LRB094 15329 LCT 50520 b

1         (1) Legal entities. Service of any subpoena issued
2     under subsection (a) or of any petition filed under
3     subsection (j) may be made upon a partnership, corporation,
4     association, or other legal entity by:
5             (A) delivering an executed copy of such subpoena or
6         petition to any partner, executive officer, managing
7         agent, general agent, or registered agent of the
8         partnership, corporation, association or entity;
9             (B) delivering an executed copy of such subpoena or
10         petition to the principal office or place of business
11         of the partnership, corporation, association, or
12         entity; or
13             (C) depositing an executed copy of such subpoena or
14         petition in the United States mails by registered or
15         certified mail, with a return receipt requested,
16         addressed to such partnership, corporation,
17         association, or entity as its principal office or place
18         of business.
19         (2) Natural person. Service of any such subpoena or
20     petition may be made upon any natural person by:
21             (A) delivering an executed copy of such subpoena or
22         petition to the person; or
23             (B) depositing an executed copy of such subpoena or
24         petition in the United States mails by registered or
25         certified mail, with a return receipt requested,
26         addressed to the person at the person's residence or
27         principal office or place of business.
28     (e) Proof of service. A verified return by the individual
29 serving any subpoena issued under subsection (a) or any
30 petition filed under subsection (j) setting forth the manner of
31 such service shall be proof of such service. In the case of
32 service by registered or certified mail, such return shall be
33 accompanied by the return post office receipt of delivery of
34 such subpoena.
35     (f) Documentary material.
36         (1) Sworn certificates. The production of documentary

 

 

SB2739 Enrolled - 5 - LRB094 15329 LCT 50520 b

1     material in response to a subpoena served under this
2     Section shall be made under a sworn certificate, in such
3     form as the subpoena designates, by:
4             (A) in the case of a natural person, the person to
5         whom the subpoena is directed, or
6             (B) in the case of a person other than a natural
7         person, a person having knowledge of the facts and
8         circumstances relating to such production and
9         authorized to act on behalf of such person.
10     The certificate shall state that all of the documentary
11     material required by the demand and in the possession,
12     custody, or control of the person to whom the subpoena is
13     directed has been produced and made available to the
14     Attorney General.
15         (2) Production of materials. Any person upon whom any
16     subpoena for the production of documentary material has
17     been served under this Section shall make such material
18     available for inspection and copying to the Attorney
19     General at the place designated in the subpoena, or at such
20     other place as the Attorney General and the person
21     thereafter may agree and prescribe in writing, or as the
22     court may direct under subsection (j)(1). Such material
23     shall be made so available on the return date specified in
24     such subpoena, or on such later date as the Attorney
25     General may prescribe in writing. Such person may, upon
26     written agreement between the person and the Attorney
27     General, substitute copies for originals of all or any part
28     of such material.
29     (g) Interrogatories. Each interrogatory in a subpoena
30 served under this Section shall be answered separately and
31 fully in writing under oath and shall be submitted under a
32 sworn certificate, in such form as the subpoena designates by:
33         (1) in the case of a natural person, the person to whom
34     the subpoena is directed, or
35         (2) in the case of a person other than a natural
36     person, the person or persons responsible for answering

 

 

SB2739 Enrolled - 6 - LRB094 15329 LCT 50520 b

1     each interrogatory.
2 If any interrogatory is objected to, the reasons for the
3 objection shall be stated in the certificate instead of an
4 answer. The certificate shall state that all information
5 required by the subpoena and in the possession, custody,
6 control, or knowledge of the person to whom the demand is
7 directed has been submitted. To the extent that any information
8 is not furnished, the information shall be identified and
9 reasons set forth with particularity regarding the reasons why
10 the information was not furnished.
11     (h) Oral examinations.
12         (1) Procedures. The examination of any person pursuant
13     to a subpoena for oral testimony served under this Section
14     shall be taken before an officer authorized to administer
15     oaths and affirmations by the laws of this State or of the
16     place where the examination is held. The officer before
17     whom the testimony is to be taken shall put the witness on
18     oath or affirmation and shall, personally or by someone
19     acting under the direction of the officer and in the
20     officer's presence, record the testimony of the witness.
21     The testimony shall be taken stenographically and shall be
22     transcribed. When the testimony is fully transcribed, the
23     officer before whom the testimony is taken shall promptly
24     transmit a certified copy of the transcript of the
25     testimony in accordance with the instructions of the
26     Attorney General. This subsection shall not preclude the
27     taking of testimony by any means authorized by, and in a
28     manner consistent with, the Code of Civil Procedure.
29         (2) Persons present. The investigator conducting the
30     examination shall exclude from the place where the
31     examination is held all persons except the person giving
32     the testimony, the attorney for and any other
33     representative of the person giving the testimony, the
34     attorney for the State, any person who may be agreed upon
35     by the attorney for the State and the person giving the
36     testimony, the officer before whom the testimony is to be

 

 

SB2739 Enrolled - 7 - LRB094 15329 LCT 50520 b

1     taken, and any stenographer taking such testimony.
2         (3) Where testimony taken. The oral testimony of any
3     person taken pursuant to a subpoena served under this
4     Section shall be taken in the county within which such
5     person resides, is found, or transacts business, or in such
6     other place as may be agreed upon by the Attorney General
7     and such person.
8         (4) Transcript of testimony. When the testimony is
9     fully transcribed, the Attorney General or the officer
10     before whom the testimony is taken shall afford the
11     witness, who may be accompanied by counsel, a reasonable
12     opportunity to review and correct the transcript, in
13     accordance with the rules applicable to deposition
14     witnesses in civil cases. Upon payment of reasonable
15     charges, the Attorney General shall furnish a copy of the
16     transcript to the witness, except that the Attorney General
17     may, for good cause, limit the witness to inspection of the
18     official transcript of the witness' testimony.
19         (5) Conduct of oral testimony.
20             (A) Any person compelled to appear for oral
21         testimony under a subpoena issued under subsection (a)
22         may be accompanied, represented, and advised by
23         counsel, who may raise objections based on matters of
24         privilege in accordance with the rules applicable to
25         depositions in civil cases. If such person refuses to
26         answer any question, a petition may be filed in circuit
27         court under subsection (j)(1) for an order compelling
28         such person to answer such question.
29             (B) If such person refuses any question on the
30         grounds of the privilege against self-incrimination,
31         the testimony of such person may be compelled in
32         accordance with Article 106 of the Code of Criminal
33         Procedure of 1963.
34         (6) Witness fees and allowances. Any person appearing
35     for oral testimony under a subpoena issued under subsection
36     (a) shall be entitled to the same fees and allowances which

 

 

SB2739 Enrolled - 8 - LRB094 15329 LCT 50520 b

1     are paid to witnesses in the circuit court.
2     (i) Custodians of documents, answers, and transcripts.
3         (1) Designation. The Attorney General or his or her
4     delegate shall serve as custodian of documentary material,
5     answers to interrogatories, and transcripts of oral
6     testimony received under this Section.
7         (2) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, no
8     documentary material, answers to interrogatories, or
9     transcripts of oral testimony, or copies thereof, while in
10     the possession of the custodian, shall be available for
11     examination by any individual, except as determined
12     necessary by the Attorney General and subject to the
13     conditions imposed by him or her for effective enforcement
14     of the laws of this State, or as otherwise provided by
15     court order.
16         (3) Conditions for return of material. If any
17     documentary material has been produced by any person in the
18     course of any investigation pursuant to a subpoena under
19     this Section and:
20             (A) any case or proceeding before the court or
21         grand jury arising out of such investigation, or any
22         proceeding before any State agency involving such
23         material, has been completed, or
24             (B) no case or proceeding in which such material
25         may be used has been commenced within a reasonable time
26         after completion of the examination and analysis of all
27         documentary material and other information assembled
28         in the course of such investigation,
29     the custodian shall, upon written request of the person who
30     produced such material, return to such person any such
31     material which has not passed into the control of any
32     court, grand jury, or agency through introduction into the
33     record of such case or proceeding.
34     (j) Judicial proceedings.
35         (1) Petition for enforcement. Whenever any person
36     fails to comply with any subpoena issued under subsection

 

 

SB2739 Enrolled - 9 - LRB094 15329 LCT 50520 b

1     (a), or whenever satisfactory copying or reproduction of
2     any material requested in such demand cannot be done and
3     such person refuses to surrender such material, the
4     Attorney General may file, in the circuit court of any
5     county in which such person resides, is found, or transacts
6     business, or the circuit court of the county in which an
7     action filed pursuant to Section 4 of this Act is pending
8     if the action relates to the subject matter of the subpoena
9     and serve upon such person a petition for an order of such
10     court for the enforcement of the subpoena.
11         (2) Petition to modify or set aside subpoena.
12             (A) Any person who has received a subpoena issued
13         under subsection (a) may file, in the circuit court of
14         any county within which such person resides, is found,
15         or transacts business, and serve upon the Attorney
16         General a petition for an order of the court to modify
17         or set aside such subpoena. In the case of a petition
18         addressed to an express demand for any product of
19         discovery, a petition to modify or set aside such
20         demand may be brought only in the circuit court of the
21         county in which the proceeding in which such discovery
22         was obtained is or was last pending. Any petition under
23         this subparagraph (A) must be filed:
24                 (i) within 20 days after the date of service of
25             the subpoena, or at any time before the return date
26             specified in the subpoena, whichever date is
27             earlier, or
28                 (ii) within such longer period as may be
29             prescribed in writing by the Attorney General.
30             (B) The petition shall specify each ground upon
31         which the petitioner relies in seeking relief under
32         subparagraph (A), and may be based upon any failure of
33         the subpoena to comply with the provisions of this
34         Section or upon any constitutional or other legal right
35         or privilege of such person. During the pendency of the
36         petition in the court, the court may stay, as it deems

 

 

SB2739 Enrolled - 10 - LRB094 15329 LCT 50520 b

1         proper, the running of the time allowed for compliance
2         with the subpoena, in whole or in part, except that the
3         person filing the petition shall comply with any
4         portion of the subpoena not sought to be modified or
5         set aside.
6         (3) Petition to modify or set aside demand for product
7     of discovery. In the case of any subpoena issued under
8     subsection (a) which is an express demand for any product
9     of discovery, the person from whom such discovery was
10     obtained may file, in the circuit court of the county in
11     which the proceeding in which such discovery was obtained
12     is or was last pending, a petition for an order of such
13     court to modify or set aside those portions of the subpoena
14     requiring production of any such product of discovery,
15     subject to the same terms, conditions, and limitations set
16     forth in subparagraph (j)(2) of this Section.
17         (4) Jurisdiction. Whenever any petition is filed in any
18     circuit court under this subsection (j), such court shall
19     have jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter so
20     presented, and to enter such orders as may be required to
21     carry out the provisions of this Section. Any final order
22     so entered shall be subject to appeal in the same manner as
23     appeals of other final orders in civil matters. Any
24     disobedience of any final order entered under this Section
25     by any court shall be punished as a contempt of the court.
26     (k) Disclosure exemption. Any documentary material,
27 answers to written interrogatories, or oral testimony provided
28 under any subpoena issued under subsection (a) shall be exempt
29 from disclosure under the Illinois Administrative Procedure
30 Act.
31 (Source: P.A. 92-651, eff. 7-11-02; 93-579, eff. 1-1-04.)