(820 ILCS 156/35)
    Sec. 35. Enforcement.
    (a) An employee who believes his or her rights under this Act or any rule adopted under this Act have been violated may, within one year after the date of the last event constituting the alleged violation for which the action is brought, file a complaint with the Department or file a civil action.
    (b) An employer that violates any provision of this Act or any rule adopted under this Act is subject to a civil penalty for each employee affected as follows:
        (1) for a first offense, a civil penalty not to
    
exceed $500;
        (2) for a second or subsequent offense, a civil
    
penalty not to exceed $1,000.
    (c) A civil action may be brought in the circuit court by an employee to enforce this Act. The circuit court may enjoin any act or practice that violates or may violate this Act and may order any other equitable relief that is necessary and appropriate to redress the violation or to enforce the Act.
(Source: P.A. 103-466, eff. 1-1-24.)