The Illinois False Claims Act has been strengthened by a bill passed today that will provide increased protection and reward for whistleblowers, as well improve the State’s ability to recover the high costs involved with litigation.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who drafted the bill, said that “the new provisions in this law will help to deter fraud and make the recovery of taxpayer dollars easier.” The amended law will give the State new powers of investigation in cases of fraudulent action by companies contracting with State and local governments.
Senator John Noland, one of the bill’s sponsors, applauded the bill’s provisions supporting whistleblowers, saying, “By protecting whistleblowers, we defend the people against corruption and safeguard taxpayer dollars.”