Lt. Governor Pat Quinn and Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool are encouraging government employees and concerned citizens to blow the whistle on corruption in their local governments � and earn a potentially hefty reward � under the newly expanded Illinois Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act, which went into effect on January 1. � �As we begin this new year, we hope to open a new page in the history of Illinois and demand honesty and efficiency from every level of government,� Quinn said at a news conference in the 1st floor lobby of the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago.� �By expanding the Illinois Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act to include city, county, township, and every other local government bodies, Illinois has taken an important step toward cleaning up corruption and making government serve the people, instead of the other way around.� � Quinn first proposed the Illinois Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act in 1991, when he served as State Treasurer with Claypool as Deputy Treasurer.� As initially passed, the Act protected Illinois taxpayers and state employees from official retribution when they blew the whistle on fraud and corruption in state government.� The law also entitles the state to collect up to three times the amount lost to fraud, along with fines up to $10,000, and provides for the whistleblower to receive up to 30% of the amount recovered. � As Cook County Commissioner, Claypool in 2003 sponsored and passed a resolution applying the Illinois Whistleblower Act to Cook County government. � �Since we first passed the Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act, public-spirited individuals have helped the state of Illinois to recover tens of millions of dollars from corrupt contractors who were trying to defraud the taxpayers,� Claypool said.� �By expanding this law, the state of Illinois is offering both protection and rewards to government employees and others who refuse to remain silent when they uncover corruption in their local governments.� � The roots of the Illinois Whistleblower Reward and Protection Act stretch back more than a century to the Federal False Claims Act of 1863, enacted by President Abraham Lincoln after unscrupulous contractors sold decrepit mules, faulty rifles and rancid food to the Union Army. � �President Lincoln understood that government needs the eyes and ears of honest men and women to protect taxpayers from fraud by corrupt contractors and their accomplices,� Quinn said.� �I am proud that I helped to pass this groundbreaking law in Illinois, and I urge everyone in the Land of Lincoln to play their part in making government honest and accountable at every level.� � ����������� For information on the newly expanded law, Public Act 95-0128, or for advice to would-be whistleblowers, please visit the Lt. Governor�s website at StandingUpForIllinois.org. |