(740 ILCS 140/2) (from Ch. 70, par. 802)
Sec. 2. Cause of action for sexual exploitation.
(a) A cause of action against a psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional for sexual exploitation exists for a patient or former patient for injury caused by sexual contact with the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional, if the sexual contact occurred:
(1) during the period the patient was receiving
psychotherapy from the psychotherapist, or health services from the unlicensed health professional, or mental health services from the unlicensed mental health professional; or
(2) after the period the patient received
psychotherapy from the psychotherapist, or health services from the unlicensed health professional, or mental health services from the unlicensed mental health professional if (i) the former patient was emotionally dependent on the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional or (ii) the sexual contact occurred by means of therapeutic deception.
(b) The patient or former patient may recover damages from a psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional who is found liable for sexual exploitation. It is not a defense to the action that sexual contact with a patient occurred outside a therapy or treatment session or that it occurred off the premises regularly used by the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional for therapy or treatment sessions.
(c) Whenever the Attorney General has probable cause to believe (i) that a psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional is having or has had sexual contact with one or more patients or clients or former patients or former clients while the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional was licensed or unlicensed and (ii) that the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional poses a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of members of the public who are or may be patients or clients of the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional, the Attorney General may bring an action in the name of the State against the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional to restrain by temporary restraining order or preliminary or permanent injunction the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional from providing, offering to provide, or representing himself or herself as being able to provide psychotherapy, health services, or mental health services.
At least 5 days prior to the commencement of any action brought under this Section, except when a temporary restraining order is sought, the Attorney General shall notify the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional of the Attorney General's intended action and shall give the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional an opportunity to confer with the Attorney General or his or her representative in person or by counsel or other representative as to the proposed action.
The notice shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the psychotherapist's, unlicensed health professional's, or unlicensed mental health professional's usual place of business or, if that person has no usual place of business, to that person's last known address.
(d) The action may be brought either in the circuit court of the county in which the conduct complained of occurred or in the circuit court of the county in which the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional resides or has his or her principal place of business.
The court may issue temporary restraining orders or preliminary or permanent injunctions and make other orders or judgments it deems appropriate.
(e) No injunction shall be issued under this Section unless the court finds that the defendant has had an opportunity for an evidentiary hearing as to all contested material issues of fact. Issues decided in a prior evidentiary hearing in a court or in an administrative proceeding may be applied to a proceeding under this Section in compliance with the Code of Civil Procedure.
If the court issues an injunction against a psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional under this Section, the court shall retain jurisdiction of the matter and the cause shall be continued. Any psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional who is ordered to refrain from certain conduct or activities in an action brought under this Section may petition the court for a modification or termination of the injunction upon 10 days notice to the Attorney General.
(f) Any State's Attorney or other law enforcement office receiving notice of any alleged violation of this Section or violation of an injunction or order issued in an action brought under this Section shall immediately forward written notice of the alleged violation together with any information that the State's Attorney or other law enforcement office may have to the office of the Attorney General.
(g) In an action brought under this Section, whenever the court issues a temporary restraining order or a preliminary or permanent injunction ordering a defendant to refrain from certain conduct or activities, the order shall contain the following statement: VIOLATION OF THIS ORDER IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The clerk shall transmit 2 certified copies of each such order issued under this Section to each appropriate law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over locations where the defendant is alleged to have committed the act giving rise to the action, and the law enforcement agency shall serve one copy of the order on the defendant. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, service shall be by delivering a copy in hand to the defendant.
After any such order has been served on the defendant, any violation of the order by the defendant is a Class 4 felony punishable by a fine of not more than $25,000.
Law enforcement agencies shall establish procedures adequate to ensure that all officers responsible for the enforcement of an order entered under this Section are informed of the existence and terms of the order. Whenever any law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a defendant has violated the provisions of this Section, the officer has the authority to arrest the defendant.
Whenever the court vacates a temporary restraining order or a preliminary or permanent injunction issued under this Section, the clerk shall promptly notify in writing each appropriate law enforcement agency that has been notified of the issuance of the order and shall direct each such agency to destroy all records of the vacated order. The law enforcement agency shall comply with that directive.
(h) Nothing contained in this Section shall prohibit the Attorney General in his or her discretion from bringing an action for civil contempt against the defendant rather than bringing criminal charges for an alleged violation of an order issued under this Section as provided in subsection (g). If the court finds that a psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional is in civil contempt by reason of an alleged violation of an injunction or the order entered under this Section, the court shall assess a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each such violation found.
(Source: P.A. 90-538, eff. 12-1-97.)
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Last modified: February 18, 2015