WHISTLEBLOWER ACT Senate SponsorsSen. Susan Garrett-Jeffrey M. Schoenberg and Adeline Jay Geo-Karis-Donne E. Trotter-Barack Obama-Jacqueline Y. Collins House Sponsors(Rep. John A. Fritchey-Kevin Joyce-Naomi D. Jakobsson-Ricca Slone-Michael K. Smith, Charles A. Hartke, Brandon W. Phelps, Gary Forby and David E. Miller) 8/18/2003SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 93-0544 New ActCreates the Whistleblower Act. Provides that an employer may not: make, adopt, or enforce any rule, regulation, or policy preventing an employee from disclosing information to a government or law enforcement agency if the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation; retaliate against an employee for disclosing information to a government or law enforcement agency, where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation; or retaliate against an employee for refusing to participate in an activity that would result in a violation of a State or federal law, rule, or regulation. Provides that a report made by an employee of a government agency to his or her employer is a disclosure of information to a government or law enforcement agency under the Act. Violation is a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that, if an employer takes any action against an employee in violation of the Act, the employee may bring a civil action against the employer for all relief necessary to make the employee whole, including but not limited to reinstatement, back pay, compensation for damages, litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney's fees. Provides that the Act does not apply to an employer that is a governmental entity. Provides that the Act does not apply to disclosures that would constitute a violation of the attorney-client privilege.Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes provisions regarding reports by employees of government agencies. 2/20/2003SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Susan Garrett 2/20/2003SenateFirst Reading 2/20/2003SenateReferred to Rules 2/26/2003SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Jeffrey M. Schoenberg 2/27/2003SenateAssigned to Executive 3/6/2003SenateDo Pass Executive; 012-000-000 3/6/2003SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 11, 2003 3/18/2003SenateSecond Reading 3/18/2003SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 19, 2003 3/24/2003SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Susan Garrett 3/24/2003SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules 3/24/2003SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Executive 3/25/2003SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Be Adopted Executive; 011-000-000 3/25/2003SenateRecalled to Second Reading 3/25/2003SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Garrett 3/25/2003SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 26, 2003 3/27/2003SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Adeline Jay Geo-Karis 3/27/2003SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Donne E. Trotter 3/27/2003SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Barack Obama 3/27/2003SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins 3/27/2003SenateThird Reading - Passed; 057-001-000 3/27/2003HouseArrived in House 3/27/2003HousePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading 3/27/2003HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Madigan 3/27/2003HouseFirst Reading 3/27/2003HouseReferred to Rules Committee 3/31/2003HouseAssigned to Executive Committee 4/15/2003HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin Joyce 4/15/2003HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Naomi D. Jakobsson 4/15/2003HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Ricca Slone 4/15/2003HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael K. Smith 4/15/2003HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Charles A. Hartke 4/15/2003HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Brandon W. Phelps 4/16/2003HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Gary Forby 4/29/2003HouseRe-assigned to Judiciary I - Civil Law Committee 4/29/2003HouseAlternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. John A. Fritchey 5/2/2003HouseCommittee/3rd Reading Deadline Extended-Rule 9(b); May 31, 2003 5/6/2003HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. David E. Miller 5/8/2003HouseDo Pass / Standard Debate Judiciary I - Civil Law Committee; 010-003-000 5/8/2003HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Standard Debate 5/21/2003HouseSecond Reading - Standard Debate 5/21/2003HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Standard Debate 5/22/2003HouseThird Reading - Standard Debate - Passed 087-031-000 5/22/2003SenatePassed Both Houses 6/20/2003SenateSent to the Governor 8/18/2003SenateGovernor Approved 8/18/2003SenateEffective Date January 1, 2004 8/18/2003SenatePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 93-0544