Section 280.110  Definitions

"Act" means the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) [820 ILCS 180].

"Certification" means:

a sworn statement of the employee; and

any of the following:

documentation from an employee, agent, or volunteer of a victim services organization, an attorney, a member of the clergy, or a medical or other professional from whom the employee or the employee's family or household member has sought assistance in addressing domestic or sexual violence and the effects of the violence;

a police or court record; or

other corroborating evidence.

"Complaint" means an allegation of a violation of the Act filed with the Department.

"Complainant" means a person who files a complaint.

"Department" means the Illinois Department of Labor or a duly authorized representative.

"Director" means the Director of Labor or a duly authorized representative.

"Employee" means any person suffered or permitted to work by an employer, including on a full-time or part-time basis or as a participant in a work assignment as a condition of receipt of federal or State income-based public assistance.

"Employer" means an individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, legal representative, or any organized group of persons, or entity for whom 50 or more employees are  employed. Additionally, employer means the State of Illinois, any State officer, department, agency or commission, any unit of local government, and any school district.

"FMLA" means the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 USC 2601 et seq.), or as hereafter amended.

"Public hearing" means a formal administrative hearing.

"Respondent" means an employer against whom a complaint is filed.