Illinois § 16

§ 16.

Attorney's Fees and Costs. (A) Attorney's fees and other costs shall be awarded to any plaintiff who obtains declaratory, equitable, or injunctive relief. The amount awarded shall represent the reasonable value of the services rendered, taking into account all the surrounding circumstances, including but not limited to: the amount of attorney time and other disbursements determined by the court to be reasonably required by the nature of the case; the benefit rendered to the public; the skill demanded by the novelty or complexity of the issues; and the need to encourage the enforcement of this Act. (B) Attorney's fees and other costs shall, consistent with subsection (A) of this Section, also be awarded to any plaintiff who obtains monetary relief for damages. However, in no event shall such an award exceed the actual amount of monetary damages awarded to the plaintiff. (C) The court shall, consistent with subsection (A) of this Section, assess attorney's fees and litigation costs reasonably incurred by the State, a unit of local government, or government official or employee to defend against any private party or parties bringing an action pursuant to this Act, upon the court's determination that the action was brought in bad faith or is malicious, vexatious, or frivolous in nature. (Source: P.A. 85-922.)