Illinois Statutes Chapter 305. Public Aid § 5/12-12. Collection of claims; enforcement of penalty provisions

(a) The Illinois Department shall pursue the legal procedure necessary to collect the claims and enforce the penalty provisions provided in any Section or Article of this Code relative to applicants and recipients of public aid. The Attorney General, at the request of the Illinois Department, shall take the necessary proceedings and represent the Illinois Department in any matter arising in connection with such claims or enforcement of penalty provisions.

(b) In matters concerning the recovery of overpayments for benefits provided by the Department of Human Services, the Department shall send a recipient written notice and a demand for payment of any amount in overpaid benefits owed within 5 years after the Department's right to collect the overpayment first accrued. The Department of Human Services shall issue such notice by certified mail to the recipient's last known mailing address. Actions brought under this subsection by the Attorney General for the recovery of overpayments shall be commenced within 10 years after the date upon which such notice was sent.