96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB3963

 

Introduced 11/4/2010, by Sen. Susan Garrett

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
70 ILCS 3615/3B.04  from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703B.04
70 ILCS 3615/3B.17 new
740 ILCS 174/5

    Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides for the appointment of a Commuter Rail Inspector General for a 5-year term for the purpose of detection, deterrence, and prevention of fraud, corruption, and mismanagement in the Commuter Rail Division (METRA). Contains provisions concerning appointment, terms, vacancies, qualifications, jurisdiction, duties, rulemaking authority, budget, and reporting requirements of the Commuter Rail Inspector General. Requires that the Commuter Rail Board appoint an ethics officer for the Commuter Rail Division. Amends the Whistleblower Act. Provides that "employer" includes the Office of the Commuter Rail Inspector General. Effective immediately.


LRB096 24158 RLJ 43593 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB3963LRB096 24158 RLJ 43593 b

1    AN ACT concerning local government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Regional Transportation Authority Act is
5amended by changing Section 3B.04 and adding Section 3B.17 as
6follows:
 
7    (70 ILCS 3615/3B.04)  (from Ch. 111 2/3, par. 703B.04)
8    Sec. 3B.04. Chairman and Other Officers. The Chairman shall
9preside at meetings of the Commuter Rail Board and shall be
10entitled to vote on all matters. The Commuter Rail Board shall
11select a Secretary and a Treasurer and may select persons to
12fill such other offices of the Division and to perform such
13duties as it shall from time to time determine. The Commuter
14Rail Board must appoint an ethics officer for the Division. The
15Secretary, Treasurer and other officers of the Division may but
16need not be members of the Commuter Rail Board.
17(Source: P.A. 83-886.)
 
18    (70 ILCS 3615/3B.17 new)
19    Sec. 3B.17. Commuter Rail Inspector General.
20    (a) The Office of the Commuter Rail Inspector General is
21created for the purpose of detection, deterrence, and
22prevention of fraud, corruption, waste, and mismanagement in

 

 

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1the Commuter Rail Division. The Commuter Rail Inspector General
2shall head the Office and shall be appointed by a 7-member
3committee known as the Selection Committee. The Selection
4Committee shall be composed of:
5        (1) Two persons designated by the Cook County State's
6    Attorney, one of which may be the Cook County State's
7    Attorney. One member shall reside within the corporate
8    limits of the City of Chicago and one shall reside in Cook
9    County but outside the corporate limits of the City of
10    Chicago.
11        (2) The DuPage County State's Attorney or his or her
12    designee, who shall reside in DuPage County.
13        (3) The Kane County State's Attorney or his or her
14    designee, who shall reside in Kane County.
15        (4) The Lake County State's Attorney or his or her
16    designee, who shall reside in Lake County.
17        (5) The McHenry County State's Attorney or his or her
18    designee, who shall reside in McHenry County.
19        (6) The Will County State's Attorney or his or her
20    designee, who shall reside in Will County.
21    Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory
22Act of the 96th General Assembly, the Selection Committee shall
23convene to identify potential candidates to fill the position
24of Commuter Rail Inspector General. In order to be eligible for
25consideration for the Commuter Rail Inspector General
26position, candidates must meet the qualifications outlined in

 

 

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1subsection (b). The Selection Committee shall appoint the
2Commuter Rail Inspector General by an affirmative vote of at
3least 5 of the 7 members. The Commuter Rail Board, upon
4direction by the Selection Committee, may contract with a
5national executive search firm to assist in identifying highly
6qualified candidates for the Commuter Rail Inspector General
7position. The costs for contracting with a national executive
8search firm shall be paid out of the budget for the Office of
9the Commuter Rail Inspector General as outlined in subsection
10(h). No member of the Selection Committee may vote to appoint
11as the Commuter Rail Inspector General: (i) a relative, as
12defined by item (6) of Section 10-15 of the State Officials and
13Employees Ethics Act, (ii) himself or herself, or (iii) a
14person employed by a State's Attorney listed in items (1)
15through (6) of this subsection (a).
16    (b) The Commuter Rail Inspector General shall have the
17following qualifications:
18        (1) has not been convicted of any felony under the laws
19    of this State, another state, or the United States;
20        (2) has earned a baccalaureate degree from an
21    institution of higher education; and
22        (3) has 7 or more years of cumulative service (i) with
23    a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency, at least
24    2 years of which have been in a progressive investigatory
25    capacity; (ii) as a federal, state, or local prosecutor;
26    (iii) as a federal or state judge with a criminal docket;

 

 

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1    (iv) as a senior manager or executive of a federal, state,
2    or local agency; or (v) representing any combination of (i)
3    through (iv).
4    (c) The term of the initial Commuter Rail Inspector General
5shall commence upon appointment and run through June 30, 2015.
6The initial appointment shall be made within 120 days after the
7first meeting of the Selection Committee. After the initial
8term, each Commuter Rail Inspector General shall serve a 5-year
9term commencing on July 1 of the year of appointment and
10running through June 30 of the fifth following year. On March 1
11of the fifth year of each term of office for the Commuter Rail
12Inspector General, the Selection Committee shall convene to
13identify candidates for the position of Commuter Rail Inspector
14General for the next term in accordance with the provisions of
15subsection (a). The Selection Committee may reappoint the
16Commuter Rail Inspector General to one or more subsequent
17terms.
18    A vacancy occurring other than at the end of a term shall
19be filled by the Selection Committee as provided in subsection
20(a) only for the balance of the term of the Commuter Rail
21Inspector General whose office is vacant.
22    Terms shall run regardless of whether the position is
23filled. The Commuter Rail Inspector General may be removed only
24for cause and may be removed only by an affirmative vote of at
25least 5 of the 7 members of the Selection Committee. The
26Selection Committee must give written notice to the Commuter

 

 

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1Rail Inspector General specifying the cause of his or her
2intended removal. Causes for removal shall include neglect of
3duty, abuse of power, discrimination, ethical misconduct, a
4felony conviction, or a felony plea.
5    (d) The Commuter Rail Inspector General shall have
6jurisdiction over the Commuter Rail Division, the Commuter Rail
7Division Board of Directors, and all officers and employees of,
8vendors, subcontractors, and others doing business with the
9Commuter Rail Division.
10    The jurisdiction of the Commuter Rail Inspector General is
11to investigate allegations of fraud, waste, abuse,
12mismanagement, misconduct, nonfeasance, misfeasance,
13malfeasance, or violations of this Act or violations of other
14related laws and rules, except as otherwise provided in this
15Section. Investigations may be based on complaints from any
16source, including anonymous sources, and may be
17self-initiated, without a complaint. The Commuter Rail
18Inspector General shall refer allegations of misconduct that
19fall outside the scope of the Commuter Rail Inspector General's
20jurisdiction to the appropriate law enforcement official or
21agency, or appropriate Inspector General.
22    (e) If the Commuter Rail Inspector General, upon the
23conclusion of an investigation, determines that reasonable
24cause exists to believe that fraud, waste, abuse,
25mismanagement, misconduct, nonfeasance, misfeasance,
26malfeasance, or violations of this Act or violations of other

 

 

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1related laws and rules, except as otherwise provided in this
2Section, has occurred, the Commuter Rail Inspector General
3shall issue a summary report of the investigation. The report
4shall be delivered to the appropriate individual or entity
5pursuant to paragraph (4) of subsection (f) of this Section,
6which shall have 45 days to provide a written response to the
7report.
8        (1) The summary report of the investigation shall
9    include the following:
10            (A) A description of any allegations or other
11        information received by the Commuter Rail Inspector
12        General pertinent to the investigation.
13            (B) A description of any alleged misconduct
14        discovered in the course of the investigation.
15            (C) Recommendations for any corrective or
16        disciplinary action or policy changes in response to
17        any alleged misconduct described in the report,
18        including but not limited to discharge.
19            (D) Other information the Commuter Rail Inspector
20        General deems relevant to the investigation or
21        resulting recommendations.
22        (2) If the Commuter Rail Inspector General issues a
23    recommendation of corrective or disciplinary action in his
24    or her summary report, then the entity responding to the
25    summary report issued pursuant to this subsection (e) shall
26    describe the corrective or disciplinary action taken, and

 

 

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1    if different than that recommended by the Commuter Rail
2    Inspector General, the reasons for the different action.
3        (3) Within 60 days after issuance of a final summary
4    report, the Commuter Rail Inspector General shall make the
5    report and responses issued pursuant to this subsection (e)
6    available to the public by presenting the report and the
7    responses to the appropriate individual or entity pursuant
8    to paragraph (4) of subsection (f) of this Section and by
9    posting the report and responses on the Commuter Rail
10    Inspector General's website. The Commuter Rail Inspector
11    General shall redact information in the summary report and
12    responses issued pursuant to this subsection (e) that may
13    reveal the identity of witnesses, complainants, or
14    informants or if the Commuter Rail Inspector General
15    determines it is appropriate to protect the identity of a
16    person before the report is made public. The Commuter Rail
17    Inspector General may also redact any information that he
18    or she believes should not be made public, taking into
19    consideration the factors set forth in this subsection (e)
20    and subsection (m) and other factors deemed relevant by the
21    Commuter Rail Inspector General to protect other
22    investigations by the Commuter Rail Inspector General,
23    other inspector general offices, or law enforcement
24    officials or agencies. Prior to publication, the Commuter
25    Rail Inspector General shall permit the respondents and the
26    appropriate individual or entity pursuant to paragraph (4)

 

 

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1    of subsection (f) of this Section to review the report and
2    the documents to be made public and offer suggestions for
3    redaction or provide a response that shall be made public
4    with the summary report, except that the Commuter Rail
5    Inspector General has the sole and final authority to
6    decide which redactions are made. The Commuter Rail
7    Inspector General may make available to the public any
8    other summary report and any such responses or a redacted
9    version of the report and responses.
10        (4) If the Commuter Rail Inspector General concludes
11    that there is insufficient evidence to warrant further
12    investigation into a particular matter, then the Commuter
13    Rail Inspector General shall close the investigation. The
14    Commuter Rail Inspector General shall provide to the
15    appropriate individual or entity as set forth in paragraph
16    (4) of subsection (f) a written statement of his or her
17    decision to close the investigation. If possible, the
18    written statement shall also be provided to the person or
19    persons who made the complaint that initiated the
20    investigation. At the request of the subject of the
21    investigation, the Commuter Rail Inspector General shall
22    provide to the subject of the investigation a written
23    statement setting forth his or her decision to close the
24    investigation. Closure by the Commuter Rail Inspector
25    General does not bar the Commuter Rail Inspector General
26    from reopening an investigation if the circumstances

 

 

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1    warrant.
2    (f) The Commuter Rail Inspector General shall:
3        (1) Have access to all information, records,
4    equipment, personnel, and agency premises necessary to
5    perform the duties of the office.
6        (2) Have the power to request information related to an
7    investigation from any person if the Commuter Rail
8    Inspector General deems that information is relevant to an
9    investigation.
10        (3) Have the power to subpoena witnesses and compel the
11    production of books, papers, electronic records, and
12    equipment pertinent to an investigation authorized by this
13    Section. A subpoena may be issued under this paragraph (3)
14    only by the Commuter Rail Inspector General and not by
15    members of the Commuter Rail Inspector General's staff. Any
16    person subpoenaed by the Commuter Rail Inspector General
17    has the same rights, under Illinois law, as a person
18    subpoenaed by a grand jury. The power to subpoena or to
19    compel the production of books and papers, however, shall
20    not extend to the person or documents of a labor
21    organization or its representatives insofar as the person
22    or documents of the labor organization relate to the
23    function of representing an employee subject to
24    investigation under this Section. Subject to a person's
25    privilege against self-incrimination, any person who fails
26    to appear in response to a subpoena, answer any question,

 

 

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1    or produce any books or papers pertinent to an
2    investigation under this Section, except as otherwise
3    provided in this Section, or who knowingly gives false
4    testimony in relation to an investigation under this
5    Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
6        In the case of a refusal to comply with a subpoena
7    issued to any person, the Commuter Rail Inspector General
8    may make application to any circuit court of this State
9    which shall have jurisdiction to order the witness to
10    appear before the Commuter Rail Inspector General and to
11    produce evidence if so ordered, or to give testimony
12    touching on the matter in question.
13        In any proceeding seeking enforcement of a subpoena
14    issued by the Commuter Rail Inspector General pursuant to
15    paragraph (3) of this subsection (f), the Commuter Rail
16    Inspector General shall obtain legal representation from
17    the Illinois Attorney General.
18        Whenever the Attorney General is sick or absent, or
19    unable to attend, or is interested in the matter for which
20    he or she represents the Commuter Rail Inspector General,
21    upon filing of a petition under seal by any person with
22    standing, the Supreme Court (or any other court of
23    competent jurisdiction as designated and determined by
24    rule of the Supreme Court) may appoint some competent
25    attorney to prosecute or defend that matter or proceeding,
26    and the attorney so appointed shall have the same power and

 

 

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1    authority in relation to that matter or proceeding as the
2    Attorney General would have had if present and attending to
3    the same.
4        Except as otherwise provided in this Section,
5    attorneys representing the Commuter Rail Inspector General
6    shall be appointed or retained by the Attorney General,
7    shall be under the supervision, direction, and control of
8    the Attorney General, and shall serve at the pleasure of
9    the Attorney General. The compensation of any attorneys
10    appointed or retained in accordance with this subsection
11    (f) shall be paid by the Office of the Commuter Rail
12    Inspector General.
13        (4) Submit reports as required by this Section and
14    applicable administrative rules. Final reports and
15    recommendations shall be submitted to the Executive
16    Director and members of the Board of Directors of the
17    Commuter Rail Division for investigations not involving
18    the Commuter Rail Board. Final reports and recommendations
19    shall be submitted to the Chair of the Commuter Rail Board
20    and to the members of the Selection Committee for
21    investigations of any Board member other than the Chair of
22    the Commuter Rail Board. Final reports and recommendations
23    for investigations of the Chair of the Commuter Rail Board
24    shall be submitted to the members of the Selection
25    Committee.
26        (5) Participate in or conduct, when appropriate,

 

 

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1    multi-jurisdictional investigations provided that the
2    investigations involve the Commuter Rail Division in some
3    way, including, but not limited to, joint investigations
4    with the Office of the Governor's Executive Inspector
5    General, the Cook County Independent Inspector General, or
6    with state, local, or federal law enforcement authorities.
7        (6) Serve as the Commuter Rail Division's primary
8    liaison with law enforcement, investigatory, and
9    prosecutorial agencies for investigations undertaken by
10    the Commuter Rail Inspector General pursuant to this
11    Section. In that capacity, the Commuter Rail Inspector
12    General may request any information or assistance that may
13    be necessary for carrying out the duties and
14    responsibilities provided by this Section from any local,
15    state, or federal governmental agency or unit thereof.
16        (7) Review hiring and employment files of the Commuter
17    Rail Division to ensure compliance with Rutan v. Republican
18    Party of Illinois, 497 U.S. 62 (1990), and with all
19    applicable employment laws.
20        (8) Establish a policy that ensures the appropriate
21    handling and correct recording of all investigations
22    conducted by the Office, in order that individuals seeking
23    to report suspected wrongdoing are familiar with the
24    process and that the subjects of investigations are treated
25    fairly. A written copy of the policy shall be made
26    accessible on the Commuter Rail Inspector General's

 

 

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1    website.
2        (9) Receive and investigate complaints or information
3    concerning the possible existence within the Commuter Rail
4    Division of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement,
5    misconduct, nonfeasance, misfeasance, malfeasance, or
6    violations of this Act or violations of other related laws
7    and rules, except as otherwise provided in this Section.
8    Any employee of the Commuter Rail Division who knowingly
9    files a false complaint or files a complaint with reckless
10    disregard for the truth or falsity of the facts underlying
11    the complaint may be subject to discipline under the
12    disciplinary procedures of the Commuter Rail Division.
13        (10) Coordinate with the Commuter Rail Division's
14    Ethics Officer in the development of ethics training
15    specific to the Commuter Rail Division. The ethics training
16    must be conducted on a regular basis for Board members,
17    officers, and employees of the Commuter Rail Division. The
18    training shall include, at a minimum, a review of the
19    following: (i) the process for filing a complaint with the
20    Commuter Rail Inspector General and (ii) the scope of the
21    Commuter Rail Inspector General's authority under this
22    Section.
23        (11) Review, coordinate, and recommend methods and
24    procedures to increase the integrity of the Commuter Rail
25    Division.
26    For purposes of this subsection (f), the term "persons"

 

 

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1shall mean entities or individuals as specified in subsection
2(d).
3    (g) Within 6 months after appointment, the initial Commuter
4Rail Inspector General shall propose rules establishing
5minimum requirements for initiating, conducting, and
6completing investigations. The rules must establish criteria
7for determining, based upon the nature of the allegation, the
8appropriate method of investigation, which may include, but is
9not limited to, site visits, telephone contacts, personal
10interviews, or requests for written responses. The rules must
11establish the process, contents, and timing for summary reports
12and recommendations issued by the Commuter Rail Inspector
13General and for the responses to the summary reports and
14recommendations issued by the appropriate individual or entity
15pursuant to paragraph (4) of subsection (f). The rules must
16also clarify how the Office of the Commuter Rail Inspector
17General shall interact with other local, state, and federal law
18enforcement authorities and investigations. The rules shall
19provide that investigations and inquiries by the Office of the
20Commuter Rail Inspector General must be conducted in compliance
21with the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement that
22applies to the affected employees of the Commuter Rail Division
23and that any recommendation for discipline or other action
24against any employee by the Office of the Commuter Rail
25Inspector General must comply with the provisions of any
26applicable collective bargaining agreement.

 

 

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1    (h) The Office of the Commuter Rail Inspector General shall
2be an independent office of the Commuter Rail Division. Within
3its annual budget, the Commuter Rail Board shall provide a
4clearly delineated budget for the Office of the Commuter Rail
5Inspector General. The budget of the Office of the Commuter
6Rail Inspector General shall be adequate to support an
7independent and effective office. The budget may not be less
8than $1,000,000, not including start-up expenses, in the
9initial year of the office. Except with the consent of the
10Commuter Rail Inspector General, the Commuter Rail Board shall
11not reduce the budget of the Office of the Commuter Rail
12Inspector General by more than 10% (i) within any fiscal year
13or (ii) over the 5-year term of any Commuter Rail Inspector
14General. To the extent allowed by law and the Commuter Rail
15Board's policies, the Commuter Rail Inspector General shall
16have sole responsibility for organizing and staffing the Office
17of the Commuter Rail Inspector General within the budget
18established by the Commuter Rail Board, including the
19recruitment, supervision, and discipline of the employees of
20that office. The Commuter Rail Inspector General shall report
21directly to the Board of Directors of the Commuter Rail Board
22with respect to the prompt and efficient operation of the
23Office of the Commuter Rail Inspector General.
24    For the purposes of this subsection (h), "start-up
25expenses" include, but are not limited to, information
26technology equipment and infrastructure, website development,

 

 

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1and executive search firm services.
2    (i) No Commuter Rail Inspector General or employee of the
3Office of the Commuter Rail Inspector General may, during his
4or her term of appointment or employment:
5        (1) become a candidate for any elective office;
6        (2) hold any other elected or appointed public office
7    except for appointments on governmental advisory boards or
8    study commissions or as otherwise expressly authorized by
9    law;
10        (3) be actively involved in the affairs of any
11    political party or political organization; or
12        (4) advocate for the appointment of another person to
13    an appointed public office or elected office or position or
14    actively participate in any campaign for any elective
15    office.
16    As used in this subsection (i), "appointed public office"
17means a position authorized by law that is filled by an
18appointing authority as provided by law and does not include
19employment by hiring in the ordinary course of business.
20    (i-5) No Commuter Rail Inspector General or employee of the
21Office of the Commuter Rail Inspector General may, for one year
22after the termination of his or her appointment or employment:
23        (1) become a candidate for any elective office;
24        (2) hold any elected public office; or
25        (3) hold any appointed State, county, or local judicial
26    office.

 

 

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1    The requirements of item (3) of this subsection may be
2waived by the Selection Committee.
3    (j) All members of the Board of Directors for the Commuter
4Rail Division, all officers and employees of, and vendors,
5subcontractors, and others doing business with the Commuter
6Rail Division have a duty to cooperate with the Commuter Rail
7Inspector General and employees of the Office of the Commuter
8Rail Inspector General in any investigation undertaken
9pursuant to this Section. Failure to cooperate includes, but is
10not limited to, intentional omissions and knowing false
11statements. Failure to cooperate with an investigation
12pursuant to this Section is grounds for disciplinary action,
13including termination of employment. Nothing in this Section
14limits or alters a person's existing rights or protections
15under State or federal law.
16    (k) All members of the Board of Directors of the Commuter
17Rail Division and all officers and employees of the Commuter
18Rail Division have a duty to report, directly and without undue
19delay, to the Commuter Rail Inspector General's Office any
20information concerning conduct which they know or should
21reasonably know to involve corruption or other criminal
22activity by a Commuter Rail Division Board member, officer,
23employee, vendor, subcontractor, or others doing business with
24the Commuter Rail Division. Failure to report corrupt or other
25criminal activity to the Commuter Rail Inspector General's
26Office is grounds for disciplinary action, including

 

 

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1termination of employment.
2    (l) The Commuter Rail Inspector General shall establish and
3maintain an independent public website and whistleblower
4hotline. A report made through the Commuter Rail Inspector
5General's website or to the whistleblower hotline shall be
6considered a report to the Office of the Commuter Rail
7Inspector General.
8    (m) The identity of any individual providing information to
9or reporting any possible or alleged fraud, waste, abuse,
10mismanagement, misconduct, nonfeasance, misfeasance,
11malfeasance, or violations of this Act or violations of other
12related laws and rules, except as otherwise provided in this
13Section, to the Commuter Rail Inspector General shall be kept
14confidential, unless the individual consents to disclosure of
15his or her name or unless disclosure of the individual's
16identity is otherwise required by law. The confidentiality
17granted by this subsection does not preclude the disclosure of
18the identity of a person in any capacity other than as the
19source of an allegation.
20    Subject to the provisions of subsection (e) of this
21Section, the Commuter Rail Inspector General, and employees and
22agents of the Office of the Commuter Rail Inspector General,
23shall keep confidential and shall not disclose information
24exempted from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act
25or by this Act.
26    (n) If the Commuter Rail Inspector General determines that

 

 

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1any alleged misconduct involves any person not subject to the
2jurisdiction of the Commuter Rail Inspector General, then the
3Commuter Rail Inspector General shall refer the reported
4allegations to the appropriate inspector general, appropriate
5ethics commission, or other appropriate law enforcement
6authority. If the Commuter Rail Inspector General determines
7that any alleged misconduct may give rise to criminal
8penalties, then the Commuter Rail Inspector General may refer
9the allegations to the appropriate law enforcement authority.
10If a Commuter Rail Inspector General determines that any
11alleged misconduct resulted in the loss of public funds in an
12amount of $5,000 or greater, then the Commuter Rail Inspector
13General shall refer the allegations regarding that misconduct
14to the Attorney General, the relevant State's Attorney, and any
15other appropriate law enforcement authority.
16    (o) The Commuter Rail Inspector General shall provide to
17the Commuter Rail Board a summary of reports and investigations
18made under this Section no later than March 31 and September 30
19of each year. The summaries shall detail the final disposition
20of the Commuter Rail Inspector General's recommendations. The
21summaries shall also include detailed recommended
22administrative actions and matters for consideration by the
23Commuter Rail Board. The summaries shall not contain any
24confidential or identifying information concerning the
25subjects of the reports and investigations. The summaries
26required under this subsection shall be posted on the Commuter

 

 

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1Rail Inspector General's website.
2    (p) Any investigation or inquiry by the Commuter Rail
3Inspector General or any agent or representative of the
4Commuter Rail Inspector General must be conducted in accordance
5with the rights of the employees as set forth in State and
6federal law and applicable judicial decisions. Any
7recommendations for corrective or disciplinary action toward
8any employee by the Commuter Rail Inspector General or any
9representative or agent of the Commuter Rail Inspector General
10must comply with the provisions of any collective bargaining
11agreement that may apply to the employee.
12    (q) Nothing in this Section shall diminish the rights,
13privileges, or remedies of a State employee or any employee of
14the Commuter Rail Division under any other federal or State
15law, rule, or regulation or under any collective bargaining
16agreement.
17    (r) If a complaint is made in which the Commuter Rail
18Inspector General or an employee of the Office of the Commuter
19Rail Inspector General could be reasonably deemed to be the
20subject or that presents a conflict of interest for the
21Commuter Rail Inspector General or an employee of the Commuter
22Rail Inspector General, then the Commuter Rail Inspector
23General shall, as appropriate, refer the matter to the State's
24Attorney with jurisdiction, the Illinois Attorney General, the
25United States Attorney, or other appropriate law enforcement
26official or agency.

 

 

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1    (s) The Office of the Commuter Rail Inspector General shall
2be subject to peer review every 3 years by a qualified
3association selected by the Section Committee. The peer review
4shall be paid for from funds appropriated to the Office of the
5Commuter Rail Inspector General. The Chairperson of the
6Commuter Rail Board of Directors shall provide the written
7report from the peer review to the Commuter Rail Board of
8Directors and the Selection Committee, and post the report on
9the Commuter Rail Inspector General's website.
 
10    Section 10. The Whistleblower Act is amended by changing
11Section 5 as follows:
 
12    (740 ILCS 174/5)
13    Sec. 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
14    "Employer" means: an individual, sole proprietorship,
15partnership, firm, corporation, association, and any other
16entity that has one or more employees in this State, including
17a political subdivision of the State; a unit of local
18government; a school district, combination of school
19districts, or governing body of a joint agreement of any type
20formed by two or more school districts; a community college
21district, State college or university, or any State agency
22whose major function is providing educational services; any
23authority including a department, division, bureau, board,
24commission, or other agency of these entities; the Office of

 

 

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1the Commuter Rail Inspector General; and any person acting
2within the scope of his or her authority express or implied on
3behalf of those entities in dealing with its employees.
4    "Employee" means any individual who is employed on a
5full-time, part-time, or contractual basis by an employer.
6"Employee" also includes, but is not limited to, a licensed
7physician who practices his or her profession, in whole or in
8part, at a hospital, nursing home, clinic, or any medical
9facility that is a health care facility funded, in whole or in
10part, by the State.
11(Source: P.A. 95-128, eff. 1-1-08; 96-1253, eff. 1-1-11.)
 
12    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
13becoming law.