20 ILCS 405/405-130

(20 ILCS 405/405-130) (was 20 ILCS 405/67.28)

Sec. 405-130. State government suggestion award program.

(a) The Department shall assist in the implementation of a State Government Suggestion Award Program, to be administered by the Board created in subsection (b). The program shall encourage and reward improvements in the operation of State government that result in substantial monetary savings. Any Illinois resident, any State employee, including management personnel as defined by the Department, any annuitant under Article 14 of the Illinois Pension Code, and any annuitant under Article 15 of that Code who receives a retirement or disability retirement annuity, but not including elected officials and departmental directors, may submit a cost-saving suggestion to the Board, which shall direct the suggestion to the appropriate department or agency without disclosing the identity of the suggester. A suggester may make a suggestion or include documentation on matters a department or agency considers confidential, except where prohibited by federal or State law; and no disciplinary or other negative action may be taken against the suggester unless there is a violation of federal or State law.

Suggestions, including documentation, upon receipt, shall be given confidential treatment and shall not be subject to subpoena or be made public until the agency affected by it has had the opportunity to request continued confidentiality. The agency, if it requests continued confidentiality, shall attest that disclosure would violate federal or State law or rules and regulations pursuant to federal or State law or is a matter covered under Section 7 of the Freedom of Information Act. The Board shall make its decision on continued confidentiality and, if it so classifies the suggestion, shall notify the suggester and agency. A suggestion classified "continued confidential" shall nevertheless be evaluated and considered for award. A suggestion that the Board finds or the suggester states or implies constitutes a disclosure of information that the suggester reasonably believes evidences (1) a violation of any law, rule, or regulation or (2) mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety may be referred to the appropriate investigatory or law enforcement agency for consideration for investigation and action. The identity of the suggester may not be disclosed without the consent of the suggester during any investigation of the information and any related matters. Such a suggestion shall also be evaluated and an award made when appropriate. That portion of Board meetings that involves the consideration of suggestions classified "continued confidential" or being considered for that classification shall be closed meetings.

The Board may at its discretion make awards for those suggestions certified by agency or department heads as resulting in savings to the State of Illinois. Management personnel shall be recognized for their suggestions as the Board considers appropriate but shall not receive any monetary award. Illinois residents, annuitants, and employees, other than employees who are management personnel, shall receive awards in accordance with the schedule below. Each award to employees other than management personnel and awards to residents and annuitants shall be paid in one lump sum by the Board created in subsection (b). A monetary award may be increased by appropriation of the General Assembly.

The amount of each award to employees other than management personnel and the award to annuitants and residents shall be determined as follows:

(b) There is created a State Government Suggestion Award Board to administer the program described in subsection (a). The Board shall consist of 8 members appointed 2 each by the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and, as ex-officio, non-voting members, the directors of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget and the Department. Each appointing authority shall designate one initial appointee to serve one year and one initial appointee to serve 2 years; subsequent terms shall be 2 years. Any vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term by the original appointing authority and any member may be reappointed. Board members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The Board shall annually elect a chairman from among its number, shall meet monthly or more frequently at the call of the chairman, and shall establish necessary procedures, guidelines, and criteria for the administration of the program. The Board shall annually report to the General Assembly by January 1 on the operation of the program, including the nature and cost-savings of implemented suggestions, and any recommendations for legislative changes it deems appropriate. The General Assembly shall make an annual appropriation to the Board for payment of awards and the expenses of the Board, such as, but not limited to: travel of the members, preparation of publicity material, printing of forms and other matter, and contractual expenses.

(Source: P.A. 94-793, eff. 5-19-06; 95-185, eff. 1-1-08.)