HB5324eng 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5324 Engrossed LRB103 38896 MXP 69033 b

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Public Labor Relations Act is amended by changing Sections 5 and 11 as follows:

(5 ILCS 315/5) (from Ch. 48, par. 1605)

Sec. 5. Illinois Labor Relations Board; State Panel; Local Panel.

(a) There is created the Illinois Labor Relations Board. The Board shall be comprised of 2 panels, to be known as the State Panel and the Local Panel.

(a-5) The State Panel shall have jurisdiction over collective bargaining matters between employee organizations and the State of Illinois, excluding the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, between employee organizations and units of local government and school districts with a population not in excess of 2 million persons, and between employee organizations and the Regional Transportation Authority.

The State Panel shall consist of 5 members appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Governor shall appoint to the State Panel only persons who have had a minimum of 5 years of experience directly related to labor and employment relations in representing public employers, private employers or labor organizations; or teaching labor or employment relations; or administering executive orders or regulations applicable to labor or employment relations. At the time of his or her appointment, each member of the State Panel shall be an Illinois resident. The Governor shall designate one member to serve as the Chairman of the State Panel and the Board.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the term of each member of the State Panel who was appointed by the Governor and is in office on June 30, 2003 shall terminate at the close of business on that date or when all of the successor members to be appointed pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly have been appointed by the Governor, whichever occurs later. As soon as possible, the Governor shall appoint persons to fill the vacancies created by this amendatory Act.

The initial appointments under this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall be for terms as follows: The Chairman shall initially be appointed for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2007; 2 members shall be initially appointed for terms ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2006; one member shall be initially appointed for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2005; and one member shall be initially appointed for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2004. Each subsequent member shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, commencing on the 4th Monday in January. Upon expiration of the term of office of any appointive member, that member shall continue to serve until a successor shall be appointed and qualified. In case of a vacancy, a successor shall be appointed to serve for the unexpired portion of the term. If the Senate is not in session at the time the initial appointments are made, the Governor shall make temporary appointments in the same manner successors are appointed to fill vacancies. A temporary appointment shall remain in effect no longer than 20 calendar days after the commencement of the next Senate session.

(b) The Local Panel shall have jurisdiction over collective bargaining agreement matters between employee organizations and units of local government with a population in excess of 2 million persons, but excluding the Regional Transportation Authority.

The Local Panel shall consist of one person appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate (or, if no such person is appointed, the Chairman of the State Panel) and two additional members, one appointed by the Mayor of the City of Chicago and one appointed by the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Appointees to the Local Panel must have had a minimum of 5 years of experience directly related to labor and employment relations in representing public employers, private employers or labor organizations; or teaching labor or employment relations; or administering executive orders or regulations applicable to labor or employment relations. Each member of the Local Panel shall be an Illinois resident at the time of his or her appointment. The member appointed by the Governor (or, if no such person is appointed, the Chairman of the State Panel) shall serve as the Chairman of the Local Panel.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the term of the member of the Local Panel who was appointed by the Governor and is in office on June 30, 2003 shall terminate at the close of business on that date or when his or her successor has been appointed by the Governor, whichever occurs later. As soon as possible, the Governor shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy created by this amendatory Act. The initial appointment under this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly shall be for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2007.

The initial appointments under this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly shall be for terms as follows: The member appointed by the Governor shall initially be appointed for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2001; the member appointed by the President of the Cook County Board shall be initially appointed for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2003; and the member appointed by the Mayor of the City of Chicago shall be initially appointed for a term ending on the 4th Monday in January, 2004. Each subsequent member shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, commencing on the 4th Monday in January. Upon expiration of the term of office of any appointive member, the member shall continue to serve until a successor shall be appointed and qualified. In the case of a vacancy, a successor shall be appointed by the applicable appointive authority to serve for the unexpired portion of the term.

(c) Three members of the State Panel shall at all times constitute a quorum. Two members of the Local Panel shall at all times constitute a quorum. A vacancy on a panel does not impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all of the powers of that panel. Each panel shall adopt an official seal which shall be judicially noticed. The salary of the Chairman of the State Panel shall be $82,429 per year, or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater, and that of the other members of the State and Local Panels shall be $74,188 per year, or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater.

(d) Each member shall devote his or her entire time to the duties of the office, and shall hold no other office or position of profit, nor engage in any other business, employment, or vocation. No member shall hold any other public office or be employed as a labor or management representative by the State or any political subdivision of the State or of any department or agency thereof, or actively represent or act on behalf of an employer or an employee organization or an employer in labor relations matters. Any member of the State Panel may be removed from office by the Governor for inefficiency, neglect of duty, misconduct or malfeasance in office, and for no other cause, and only upon notice and hearing. Any member of the Local Panel may be removed from office by the applicable appointive authority for inefficiency, neglect of duty, misconduct or malfeasance in office, and for no other cause, and only upon notice and hearing.

(e) Each panel at the end of every State fiscal year shall make a report in writing to the Governor and the General Assembly, stating in detail the work it has done to carry out the policy of the Act in hearing and deciding cases and otherwise. Each panel's report shall include:

(1) the number of unfair labor practice charges filed during the fiscal year;

(2) the number of unfair labor practice charges resolved during the fiscal year;

(3) the total number of unfair labor charges pending before the Board at the end of the fiscal year;

(4) the number of unfair labor charge cases at the end of the fiscal year that have been pending before the Board between 1 and 100 days, 101 and 150 days, 151 and 200 days, 201 and 250 days, 251 and 300 days, 301 and 350 days, 351 and 400 days, 401 and 450 days, 451 and 500 days, 501 and 550 days, 551 and 600 days, 601 and 650 days, 651 and 700 days, and over 701 days;

(5) the number of representation cases and unit clarification cases filed during the fiscal year;

(6) the number of representation cases and unit clarification cases resolved during the fiscal year;

(7) the total number of representation cases and unit clarification cases pending before the Board at the end of the fiscal year;

(8) the number of representation cases and unit clarification cases at the end of the fiscal year that have been pending before the Board between 1 and 120 days, 121 and 180 days, and over 180 days; and

(9) the Board's progress in meeting the timeliness goals established pursuant to the criteria in subsection (j) of Section 11 of this Act; the report shall include, but is not limited to:

(A) the average number of days taken to complete investigations and issue complaints, dismissals, or deferrals;

(B) the average number of days taken for the Board to issue decisions on appeals of dismissals or deferrals;

(C) the average number of days taken to schedule a hearing on complaints once issued;

(D) the average number of days taken to issue a recommended decision and order once the record is closed;

(E) the average number of days taken for the Board to issue final decisions on recommended decisions where exceptions have been filed;

(F) the average number of days taken for the Board to issue final decision on recommended decisions when no exceptions have been filed; and

(G) in cases where the Board was unable to meet the timeliness goals established in subsection (j) of Section 11, an explanation as to why the goal was not met.

(f) In order to accomplish the objectives and carry out the duties prescribed by this Act, a panel or its authorized designees may hold elections to determine whether a labor organization has majority status; investigate and attempt to resolve or settle charges of unfair labor practices; hold hearings in order to carry out its functions; develop and effectuate appropriate impasse resolution procedures for purposes of resolving labor disputes; require the appearance of witnesses and the production of evidence on any matter under inquiry; and administer oaths and affirmations. The panels shall sign and report in full an opinion in every case which they decide.

(g) Each panel may appoint or employ an executive director, attorneys, hearing officers, mediators, fact-finders, arbitrators, and such other employees as it may deem necessary to perform its functions. The governing boards shall prescribe the duties and qualifications of such persons appointed and, subject to the annual appropriation, fix their compensation and provide for reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The Board shall employ a minimum of 16 attorneys and 6 investigators.

(h) Each panel shall exercise general supervision over all attorneys which it employs and over the other persons employed to provide necessary support services for such attorneys. The panels shall have final authority in respect to complaints brought pursuant to this Act.

(i) The following rules and regulations shall be adopted by the panels meeting in joint session: (1) procedural rules and regulations which shall govern all Board proceedings; (2) procedures for election of exclusive bargaining representatives pursuant to Section 9, except for the determination of appropriate bargaining units; and (3) appointment of counsel pursuant to subsection (k) of this Section.

(j) Rules and regulations may be adopted, amended or rescinded only upon a vote of 5 of the members of the State and Local Panels meeting in joint session. The adoption, amendment or rescission of rules and regulations shall be in conformity with the requirements of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(k) The panels in joint session shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the appointment of attorneys or other Board representatives to represent persons in unfair labor practice proceedings before a panel. The regulations governing appointment shall require the applicant to demonstrate an inability to pay for or inability to otherwise provide for adequate representation before a panel. Such rules must also provide: (1) that an attorney may not be appointed in cases which, in the opinion of a panel, are clearly without merit; (2) the stage of the unfair labor proceeding at which counsel will be appointed; and (3) the circumstances under which a client will be allowed to select counsel.

(1) The panels in joint session may promulgate rules and regulations which allow parties in proceedings before a panel to be represented by counsel or any other representative of the party's choice.

(m) The Chairman of the State Panel shall serve as Chairman of a joint session of the panels. Attendance of at least 2 members of the State Panel and at least one member of the Local Panel, in addition to the Chairman, shall constitute a quorum at a joint session. The panels shall meet in joint session at least annually.

(Source: P.A. 96-813, eff. 10-30-09.)

(5 ILCS 315/11) (from Ch. 48, par. 1611)

Sec. 11. Unfair labor practice procedures. Unfair labor practices may be dealt with by the Board in the following manner:

(a) Whenever it is charged that any person has engaged in or is engaging in any unfair labor practice, the Board or any agent designated by the Board for such purposes, shall conduct an investigation of the charge. If after such investigation the Board finds that the charge involves a dispositive issue of law or fact the Board shall issue a complaint and cause to be served upon the person a complaint stating the charges, accompanied by a notice of hearing before the Board or a member thereof designated by the Board, or before a qualified hearing officer designated by the Board at the offices of the Board or such other location as the Board deems appropriate, not less than 5 days after serving of such complaint provided that no complaint shall issue based upon any unfair labor practice occurring more than six months prior to the filing of a charge with the Board and the service of a copy thereof upon the person against whom the charge is made, unless the person aggrieved thereby did not reasonably have knowledge of the alleged unfair labor practice or was prevented from filing such a charge by reason of service in the armed forces, in which event the six month period shall be computed from the date of his discharge. Any such complaint may be amended by the member or hearing officer conducting the hearing for the Board in his discretion at any time prior to the issuance of an order based thereon. The person who is the subject of the complaint has the right to file an answer to the original or amended complaint and to appear in person or by a representative and give testimony at the place and time fixed in the complaint. In the discretion of the member or hearing officer conducting the hearing or the Board, any other person may be allowed to intervene in the proceeding and to present testimony. In any hearing conducted by the Board, neither the Board nor the member or agent conducting the hearing shall be bound by the rules of evidence applicable to courts, except as to the rules of privilege recognized by law.

(b) The Board shall have the power to issue subpoenas and administer oaths. If any party wilfully fails or neglects to appear or testify or to produce books, papers and records pursuant to the issuance of a subpoena by the Board, the Board may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to request that such party be ordered to appear before the Board to testify or produce the requested evidence.

(c) Any testimony taken by the Board, or a member designated by the Board or a hearing officer thereof, must be reduced to writing and filed with the Board. A full and complete record shall be kept of all proceedings before the Board, and all proceedings shall be transcribed by a reporter appointed by the Board. The party on whom the burden of proof rests shall be required to sustain such burden by a preponderance of the evidence. If, upon a preponderance of the evidence taken, the Board is of the opinion that any person named in the charge has engaged in or is engaging in an unfair labor practice, then it shall state its findings of fact and shall issue and cause to be served upon the person an order requiring him to cease and desist from the unfair labor practice, and to take such affirmative action, including reinstatement of public employees with or without back pay, as will effectuate the policies of this Act. If the Board awards back pay, it shall also award interest at the rate of 7% per annum. The Board's order may further require the person to make reports from time to time, and demonstrate the extent to which he has complied with the order. If there is no preponderance of evidence to indicate to the Board that the person named in the charge has engaged in or is engaging in the unfair labor practice, then the Board shall state its findings of fact and shall issue an order dismissing the complaint. The Board's order may in its discretion also include an appropriate sanction, based on the Board's rules and regulations, and the sanction may include an order to pay the other party or parties' reasonable expenses including costs and reasonable attorney's fee, if the other party has made allegations or denials without reasonable cause and found to be untrue or has engaged in frivolous litigation for the purpose of delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation; the State of Illinois or any agency thereof shall be subject to the provisions of this sentence in the same manner as any other party.

(d) Until the record in a case has been filed in court, the Board at any time, upon reasonable notice and in such manner as it deems proper, may modify or set aside, in whole or in part, any finding or order made or issued by it.

(e) A charging party or any person aggrieved by a final order of the Board granting or denying in whole or in part the relief sought may apply for and obtain judicial review of an order of the Board entered under this Act, in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Review Law, as now or hereafter amended, except that such judicial review shall be afforded directly in the appellate court for the district in which the aggrieved party resides or transacts business, and provided, that such judicial review shall not be available for the purpose of challenging a final order issued by the Board pursuant to Section 9 of this Act for which judicial review has been petitioned pursuant to subsection (i) of Section 9. Any direct appeal to the Appellate Court shall be filed within 35 days from the date that a copy of the decision sought to be reviewed was served upon the party affected by the decision. The filing of such an appeal to the Appellate Court shall not automatically stay the enforcement of the Board's order. An aggrieved party may apply to the Appellate Court for a stay of the enforcement of the Board's order after the aggrieved party has followed the procedure prescribed by Supreme Court Rule 335. The Board in proceedings under this Section may obtain an order of the court for the enforcement of its order.

(f) Whenever it appears that any person has violated a final order of the Board issued pursuant to this Section, the Board must commence an action in the name of the People of the State of Illinois by petition, alleging the violation, attaching a copy of the order of the Board, and praying for the issuance of an order directing the person, his officers, agents, servants, successors, and assigns to comply with the order of the Board. The Board shall be represented in this action by the Attorney General in accordance with the Attorney General Act. The court may grant or refuse, in whole or in part, the relief sought, provided that the court may stay an order of the Board in accordance with the Administrative Review Law, pending disposition of the proceedings. The court may punish a violation of its order as in civil contempt.

(g) The proceedings provided in paragraph (f) of this Section shall be commenced in the Appellate Court for the district where the unfair labor practice which is the subject of the Board's order was committed, or where a person required to cease and desist by such order resides or transacts business.

(h) The Board through the Attorney General, shall have power, upon issuance of an unfair labor practice complaint alleging that a person has engaged in or is engaging in an unfair labor practice, to petition the circuit court where the alleged unfair labor practice which is the subject of the Board's complaint was allegedly committed, or where a person required to cease and desist from such alleged unfair labor practice resides or transacts business, for appropriate temporary relief or restraining order. Upon the filing of any such petition, the court shall cause notice thereof to be served upon such persons, and thereupon shall have jurisdiction to grant to the Board such temporary relief or restraining order as it deems just and proper.

(i) If an unfair labor practice charge involves the interpretation or application of a collective bargaining agreement and said agreement contains a grievance procedure with binding arbitration as its terminal step, the Board may defer the resolution of such dispute to the grievance and arbitration procedure contained in said agreement.

(j) To effectuate this Act's policy, the Board shall adopt goals (i) to ensure effective enforcement of this Act through timely and quality consideration and resolution of unfair labor practices with appropriate remedies and (ii) to protect employee free choice with timely and effective mechanisms to resolve questions concerning representation. To measure and report on its success in achieving these goals, the Board shall also adopt the following timeliness goals for the processing of unfair labor practice charges filed under Section 10:

(1) Complete the investigation and issue a complaint, dismissal, or deferral within 100 days of the charges being filed. If the dismissal or deferral is appealed to the Board, issue Board decisions within 90 days of the completion of the Board's process for filing appeals.

(2) Upon the issuance of complaints for hearing: (i) schedule hearings to begin within 60 days of a complaint's issuance; (ii) issue recommended decisions and orders within 120 days of the close of the record; and (iii) if exceptions to recommended decisions and orders are filed, issue Board decisions within 90 days of the completion of the Board's process for filing exceptions.

(Source: P.A. 100-516, eff. 9-22-17.)

Section 10. The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act is amended by changing Sections 5 and 15 as follows:

(115 ILCS 5/5) (from Ch. 48, par. 1705)

Sec. 5. Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board.

(a) There is hereby created the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board.

(a-5) Until July 1, 2003 or when all of the new members to be initially appointed under this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly have been appointed by the Governor, whichever occurs later, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board shall consist of 7 members, no more than 4 of whom may be of the same political party, who are residents of Illinois appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

The term of each appointed member of the Board who is in office on June 30, 2003 shall terminate at the close of business on that date or when all of the new members to be initially appointed under this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly have been appointed by the Governor, whichever occurs later.

(b) Beginning on July 1, 2003 or when all of the new members to be initially appointed under this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly have been appointed by the Governor, whichever occurs later, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board shall consist of 5 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. No more than 3 members may be of the same political party.

The Governor shall appoint to the Board only persons who are residents of Illinois and have had a minimum of 5 years of experience directly related to labor and employment relations in representing educational employers or educational employees in collective bargaining matters. One appointed member shall be designated at the time of his or her appointment to serve as chairman.

Of the initial members appointed pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, 2 shall be designated at the time of appointment to serve a term of 6 years, 2 shall be designated at the time of appointment to serve a term of 4 years, and the other shall be designated at the time of his or her appointment to serve a term of 4 years, with each to serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

Each subsequent member shall be appointed in like manner for a term of 6 years and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Each member of the Board is eligible for reappointment. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments for the balance of the unexpired term.

(c) The chairman shall be paid $50,000 per year, or an amount set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater. Other members of the Board shall each be paid $45,000 per year, or an amount set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater. They shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary traveling and other official expenditures necessitated by their official duties.

Each member shall devote his entire time to the duties of the office, and shall hold no other office or position of profit, nor engage in any other business, employment or vocation.

(d) Three members of the Board constitute a quorum and a vacancy on the Board does not impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all of the powers of the Board.

(e) Any member of the Board may be removed by the Governor, upon notice, for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office, but for no other cause.

(f) The Board may appoint or employ an executive director, attorneys, hearing officers, and such other employees as it deems necessary to perform its functions, except that the Board shall employ a minimum of 8 attorneys and 5 investigators. The Board shall prescribe the duties and qualifications of such persons appointed and, subject to the annual appropriation, fix their compensation and provide for reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(g) The Board may promulgate rules and regulations which allow parties in proceedings before the Board to be represented by counsel or any other person knowledgeable in the matters under consideration.

(h) To accomplish the objectives and to carry out the duties prescribed by this Act, the Board may subpoena witnesses, subpoena the production of books, papers, records and documents which may be needed as evidence on any matter under inquiry and may administer oaths and affirmations.

In cases of neglect or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to any person, the circuit court in the county in which the investigation or the public hearing is taking place, upon application by the Board, may issue an order requiring such person to appear before the Board or any member or agent of the Board to produce evidence or give testimony. A failure to obey such order may be punished by the court as in civil contempt.

Any subpoena, notice of hearing, or other process or notice of the Board issued under the provisions of this Act may be served by one of the methods permitted in the Board's rules.

(i) The Board shall adopt, promulgate, amend, or rescind rules and regulations in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act as it deems necessary and feasible to carry out this Act.

(j) The Board at the end of every State fiscal year shall make a report in writing to the Governor and the General Assembly, stating in detail the work it has done to carry out the policy of the Act in hearing and deciding cases and otherwise. The Board's report shall include:

(1) the number of unfair labor practice charges filed during the fiscal year;

(2) the number of unfair labor practice charges resolved during the fiscal year;

(3) the total number of unfair labor charges pending before the Board at the end of the fiscal year;

(4) the number of unfair labor charge cases at the end of the fiscal year that have been pending before the Board between 1 and 100 days, 101 and 150 days, 151 and 200 days, 201 and 250 days, 251 and 300 days, 301 and 350 days, 351 and 400 days, 401 and 450 days, 451 and 500 days, 501 and 550 days, 551 and 600 days, 601 and 650 days, 651 and 700 days, and over 701 days;

(5) the number of representation cases and unit clarification cases filed during the fiscal year;

(6) the number of representation cases and unit clarification cases resolved during the fiscal year;

(7) the total number of representation cases and unit clarification cases pending before the Board at the end of the fiscal year;

(8) the number of representation cases and unit clarification cases at the end of the fiscal year that have been pending before the Board between 1 and 120 days, 121 and 180 days, and over 180 days; and

(9) the Board's progress in meeting the timeliness goals established pursuant to the criteria in Section 15 of this Act; the report shall include, but is not limited to:

(A) the average number of days taken to complete investigations and issue complaints, dismissals or deferrals;

(B) the average number of days taken for the Board to issue decisions on appeals of dismissals or deferrals;

(C) the average number of days taken to schedule a hearing on complaints once issued;

(D) the average number of days taken to issue a recommended decision and order once the record is closed;

(E) the average number of days taken for the Board to issue final decisions on recommended decisions where exceptions have been filed;

(F) the average number of days taken for the Board to issue final decision on recommended decisions when no exceptions have been filed; and

(G) in cases where the Board was unable to meet the timeliness goals established in Section 15, an explanation as to why the goal was not met.

(Source: P.A. 102-797, eff. 1-1-23.)

(115 ILCS 5/15) (from Ch. 48, par. 1715)

Sec. 15. Unfair labor practice procedure. A charge of unfair labor practice may be filed with the Board by an employer, an individual or a labor organization. If the Board after investigation finds that the charge states an issue of law or fact, it shall issue and cause to be served upon the party complained of a complaint which fully states the charges and thereupon hold a hearing on the charges, giving at least 5 days' notice to the parties. At hearing, the charging party may also present evidence in support of the charges and the party charged may file an answer to the charges, appear in person or by attorney, and present evidence in defense against the charges.

The Board has the power to issue subpoenas and administer oaths. If any party wilfully fails or neglects to appear or testify or to produce books, papers and records pursuant to subpoena issued by the Board, the Board shall apply to the circuit court for an order to compel the attendance of the party at the hearing to testify or produce requested documents.

If the Board finds that the party charged has committed an unfair labor practice, it shall make findings of fact and is empowered to issue an order requiring the party charged to stop the unfair practice, and may take additional affirmative action, including requiring the party to make reports from time to time showing the extent to which he or she has complied with the order. No order shall be issued upon an unfair practice occurring more than 6 months before the filing of the charge alleging the unfair labor practice. If the Board awards back pay, it shall also award interest at the rate of 7% per annum. If the Board finds that the party charged has not committed any unfair labor practice, findings of fact shall be made and an order issued dismissing the charges.

The Board may petition the circuit court of the county in which the unfair labor practice in question occurred or where the party charged with the unfair labor practice resides or transacts business to enforce an order and for other relief which may include, but is not limited to, injunctions. The Board's order may in its discretion also include an appropriate sanction, based on the Board's rules and regulations, and the sanction may include an order to pay the other party or parties' reasonable expenses including costs and reasonable attorney's fee, if the other party has made allegations or denials without reasonable cause and found to be untrue or has engaged in frivolous litigation for the purpose of delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation; the State of Illinois or any agency thereof shall be subject to the provisions of this sentence in the same manner as any other party.

To effectuate this Act's policy, the Board shall adopt goals (i) to ensure effective enforcement of this Act through timely and quality consideration and resolution of unfair labor practices with appropriate remedies and (ii) to protect employee free choice with timely and effective mechanisms to resolve questions concerning representation. To measure and report on its success in achieving these goals, the Board shall also adopt the following timeliness goals for the processing of unfair labor practice charges filed under Section 14:

(1) Complete the investigation and issue a complaint, dismissal, or deferral within 100 days of the charges being filed. If the dismissal or deferral is appealed to the Board, issue Board decisions within 90 days of the completion of the Board's process for filing appeals.

(2) Upon the issuance of complaints for hearing: (i) schedule hearings to begin within 60 days of a complaint's issuance; (ii) issue recommended decisions and orders within 120 days of the close of the record; and (iii) if exceptions to recommended decisions and orders are filed, issue Board decisions within 90 days of the completion of the Board's process for filing exceptions.

(Source: P.A. 86-412; 87-736.)