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Whistleblower Claims

Chicago Whistleblower Lawyers

Helping Whistleblowers Get Legal Protection & Representation

Acting as a whistleblower and letting the world know of your employer’s wrongdoing is an inherently brave thing to do. It is also inherently risky because most employers, especially large corporations, will try to use unethical and even illegal retaliatory measures against whistleblowers. Even high-level senior executives who act as whistleblowers aren’t immune to retaliation.

Did you act as a whistleblower and are worried your job could be in jeopardy now? Get the legal counsel and protection of Hilliard Law and our Chicago whistleblower attorneys. We proudly stand up for whistleblowers from all industries by using our extensive knowledge of corporate business law for good. As trial attorneys with Texas roots, we have gone up against some of the biggest corporations in the country, like Big Oil companies, so you can be confident that we’re ready to handle your case in the Windy City.

Protect your rights now. Call and request a no-cost consultation today.

 

Illinois Whistleblower Protections

In Illinois, the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (5 ILCS 430/15) serves as the legal groundwork for the protections offered to whistleblowers in the state, specifically with a focus on State employees.

Under this act, a whistleblower is protected against retaliation for:

  • Reporting employer or agency wrongdoing
  • Threatening to report employer or agency wrongdoing
  • Providing information about employer or agency wrongdoing
  • Testifying about employer or agency wrongdoing
  • Assisting in the enforcement of this Ethics Act

On the other hand, the Illinois Whistleblower Act (740 ILCS 174/1) grants similar protections to workers who are not employed by the State. This act states that an employee cannot be subjected to an “adverse employment action” for acting as a whistleblower, which means any “action that a reasonable employee would find materially adverse”.

With the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act and the Illinois Whistleblower Act in place, most public and private sector employees in Illinois have legal protections from retaliation after acting as a whistleblower. Yet that doesn’t stop some employers from doing the wrong thing and trying to punish a whistleblower. If this happened to you, talk to Hilliard Law today.

Whistleblower Cases We Handle

Our Chicago whistleblower attorneys can handle cases involving:

  • Environmental violation: Involves businesses that violate environmental protection laws to save costs, such as through improper disposal of hazardous materials.
  • Financial institution fraud: Involves financial institutions or banks that engage in fraudulent practices, such as mortgage fraud or signing consumers up for accounts without permission.
  • Government contract fraud: Involves contractors who defraud the government, such as through overcharging, cross-charging, and unreported product substitution.
  • Healthcare fraud: Involves healthcare providers and medical institutions that defraud patients, insurance companies, and government healthcare programs.
  • Securities fraud: Involves companies that violate laws regarding stocks, bonds, and other securities, such as through insider trading and stock manipulation.
  • Tax fraud: Involves companies or individuals who falsify financial information to avoid paying taxes, such as through underreported income and hiding money in offshore accounts.

Can You Be an Anonymous Whistleblower?

Under the federal statute 18 U.S.C. Section 1513(e), you can request to remain anonymous when acting as a whistleblower, usually applying to whistleblowers who work for a public or government entity. In some cases, though, your revealing your identity might become necessary as the case progresses, such as if you are needed to act as a witness in a trial. If you have any questions about how to remain anonymous or to what extent your identity may need to be revealed once you blow the whistle, ask our Chicago whistleblower attorneys.

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