Opinion ID: 2076020
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Constitutionality of Section 20-104(b) of the Code

Text: In the remaining count IV, plaintiffs claim that they have standing to sue on behalf of the state under section 20-104(b) of the Code (735 ILCS 5/20-104(b) (West 1998)). The circuit court held that plaintiffs' claims were not recoverable under the Code. The appellate court affirmed, holding that section 20-104(b) was an unconstitutional usurpation of the exclusive power of the Attorney General. We agree. Section 20-104(b) provides in part that a private citizen may bring a lawsuit to recover damages from persons who have defrauded the state if the Attorney General, after notice, fails to file suit or take other action within 60 days. 735 ILCS 5/20-104(b) (West 1998). Although section 20-104(b) clearly intends to give private citizens standing to sue on behalf of the state, we must consider the constitutionality of this statutory directive. As the chief legal officer of the state, the Attorney General's authority is derived from the Illinois Constitution (Ill. Const.1970, art. V, § 15). Briceland, 65 Ill.2d at 492, 3 Ill.Dec. 739, 359 N.E.2d 149. The duties of the Attorney General are prescribed by law and include those powers traditionally held at common law. Gust K. Newberg, Inc. v. Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, 98 Ill.2d 58, 67, 74 Ill.Dec. 548, 456 N.E.2d 50 (1983). Only the Attorney General is empowered to represent the state in litigation where the state is the real party in interest. Fuchs, 65 Ill.2d at 510, 3 Ill.Dec. 748, 359 N.E.2d 158. The legislature may add to the powers of the Attorney General, but it cannot reduce the Attorney General's common law authority in directing the legal affairs of the state. Newberg, 98 Ill.2d at 67, 74 Ill.Dec. 548, 456 N.E.2d. 50. Thus, legislation that improperly usurps the common law powers of the Attorney General is invalid. See Briceland, 65 Ill.2d at 501-02, 3 Ill.Dec. 739, 359 N.E.2d 149; Environmental Protection Agency v. Pollution Control Board, 69 Ill.2d 394, 14 Ill.Dec. 245, 372 N.E.2d 50 (1977). Here, although well-intentioned, the legislature has improperly reduced the Attorney General's common law authority by enacting section 20-104(b) to confer standing upon private citizens to commence and prosecute actions on behalf of the state. Section 20-104(b) improperly usurps the powers of the Attorney General and is invalid. Accordingly, we determine that section 20-104(b) of the Code is unconstitutional to the extent that it purports to confer standing on private citizens to sue in cases where the state is the real party in interest. Consequently, plaintiffs lack standing to proceed on count IV of their complaint.