Illinois Violence in the Workplace: What you need to know

Effective January 1, 2014, the Workplace Violence Prevention Act provides that an employer that employs at least five employees in any workweek may seek an order of protection to prohibit further violence or threats of violence by a person if:

(1) An employee has suffered unlawful violence or a credible threat of violence from the person; and

(2) The unlawful violence has been carried out at the employee's place of work or the credible threat of violence can reasonably be constructed to be carried out at the employee's place of work by the person

A "credible threat" of violence means a statement or course of conduct that does not serve a legitimate purpose and that causes a reasonable person to fear for the person's safety or for the safety of the person's immediate family.

The Act also allows that an employer may obtain an order of protection under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 if the employer files an affidavit that shows, to the satisfaction of the court, reasonable proof that an employee has suffered either unlawful violence or a credible threat of violence by the defendant; and demonstrates that great or irreparable harm has been suffered, will be suffered, or is likely to be suffered by the employee.

Illinois state law authorizes the carrying of concealed firearms by properly licensed individuals.

The state Firearm Concealed Carry Act contains specific exceptions for areas where concealed carry licensees are prohibited from knowingly carrying a firearm. These areas may cover premises operated by employers, including:

• A public or private elementary or secondary school;
• A preschool or childcare facility;
• An establishment that serves ...