Illinois Statutes Chapter 820. Employment § 154/25. Department responsibilities

(a) The Department shall administer and enforce this Act and adopt rules under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act for the purpose of this Act. The Department shall have the powers and the parties shall have the rights provided in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act for contested cases. The Department shall have the power to conduct investigations in connection with the administration and enforcement of this Act, including the power to conduct depositions and discovery and to issue subpoenas. If the Department finds cause to believe that this Act has been violated, the Department shall notify the parties in writing and the matter shall be referred to an Administrative Law Judge to schedule a formal hearing in accordance with hearing procedures established by rule.

(b) The Department is authorized to impose civil penalties prescribed in Section 30 in administrative proceedings that comply with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act and to supervise the payment of the unpaid wages and damages owing to the employee or employees under this Act. The Department may bring any legal action necessary to recover the amount of unpaid wages, damages, and penalties, and the employer shall be required to pay the costs. Any sums recovered by the Department on behalf of an employee under this Act shall be paid to the employee or employees affected. However, 20% of any penalty collected from the employer for a violation of this Act shall be deposited into the Child Bereavement Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury, and used for the enforcement of this Act.

(c) The Attorney General may bring an action to enforce the collection of any civil penalty imposed under this Act.