SB0548 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 11350 SPS 16683 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB0548

Introduced 2/23/2021, by Sen. John Connor

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 447/5-10
225 ILCS 447/15-25
225 ILCS 447/20-20
225 ILCS 447/25-20
225 ILCS 447/35-40
225 ILCS 447/35-45
720 ILCS 5/24-2

Amends the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. In a provision requiring training for registered employees of a private detective agency within 30 days of their employment, specifies that the training may be classroom-based or online Internet-based and removes certain topics that must be included in that training. Provides that registered employees of a private detective agency and private detectives shall complete an additional 8 hours of annual training each calendar year. Provides that private security contractors shall complete an additional 4 hours of annual training each calendar year. Provides that classroom basic training for private security contractors may be provided in a classroom setting or may be Internet-based online or other supervised computerized training. Provides that if a private security contractor owns or is employed by a private security contractor agency, the private security contractor agency shall maintain a record of the annual training and must make the record of annual training available to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation upon request. Provides that a licensee applying for a firearm control card must complete a firearm training course consisting of 48 hours (rather than 40 hours) of training. Provides that a licensee or employee in possession of a valid firearm control card shall complete an additional 8 hours of refresher training each calendar year. Requires that commercial or industrial operations that employ one or more persons (rather than 5 or more persons) shall register their security forces with the Department and that registration subjects the security force to certain requirements. Makes other changes. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 to make conforming changes.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 is amended by changing Sections 5-10, 15-25, 20-20, 25-20, 35-40, and 35-45 as follows:

(225 ILCS 447/5-10)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 5-10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Address of record" means the designated address recorded by the Department in the applicant's application file or the licensee's license file, as maintained by the Department's licensure maintenance unit.

"Advertisement" means any public media, including printed or electronic material, that is published or displayed in a phone book, newspaper, magazine, pamphlet, newsletter, website, or other similar type of publication or electronic format that is intended to either attract business or merely provide contact information to the public for an agency or licensee. Advertisement shall not include a licensee's or an agency's letterhead, business cards, or other stationery used in routine business correspondence or customary name, address, and number type listings in a telephone directory.

"Alarm system" means any system, including an electronic access control system, a surveillance video system, a security video system, a burglar alarm system, a fire alarm system, or any other electronic system that activates an audible, visible, remote, or recorded signal that is designed for the protection or detection of intrusion, entry, theft, fire, vandalism, escape, or trespass, or other electronic systems designed for the protection of life by indicating the existence of an emergency situation. "Alarm system" also includes an emergency communication system and a mass notification system.

"Applicant" means a person or business applying for licensure, registration, or authorization under this Act. Any applicant or person who holds himself or herself out as an applicant is considered a licensee or registrant for the purposes of enforcement, investigation, hearings, and the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

"Armed employee" means a licensee or registered person who is employed by an agency licensed or an armed proprietary security force registered under this Act who carries a weapon while engaged in the performance of official duties within the course and scope of his or her employment during the hours and times the employee is scheduled to work or is commuting between his or her home or place of employment.

"Armed proprietary security force" means a security force made up of one or more armed individuals employed by a commercial or industrial operation or by a financial institution as security officers for the protection of persons or property.

"Board" means the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Board.

"Branch office" means a business location removed from the place of business for which an agency license has been issued, including, but not limited to, locations where active employee records that are required to be maintained under this Act are kept, where prospective new employees are processed, or where members of the public are invited in to transact business. A branch office does not include an office or other facility located on the property of an existing client that is utilized solely for the benefit of that client and is not owned or leased by the agency.

"Canine handler" means a person who uses or handles a trained dog to protect persons or property or to conduct investigations.

"Canine handler authorization card" means a card issued by the Department that authorizes the holder to use or handle a trained dog to protect persons or property or to conduct investigations during the performance of his or her duties as specified in this Act.

"Canine trainer" means a person who acts as a dog trainer for the purpose of training dogs to protect persons or property or to conduct investigations.

"Canine trainer authorization card" means a card issued by the Department that authorizes the holder to train a dog to protect persons or property or to conduct investigations during the performance of his or her duties as specified in this Act.

"Canine training facility" means a facility operated by a licensed private detective agency or private security contractor agency wherein dogs are trained for the purposes of protecting persons or property or to conduct investigations.

"Corporation" means an artificial person or legal entity created by or under the authority of the laws of a state, including without limitation a corporation, limited liability company, or any other legal entity.

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Emergency communication system" means any system that communicates information about emergencies, including but not limited to fire, terrorist activities, shootings, other dangerous situations, accidents, and natural disasters.

"Employee" means a person who works for a person or agency that has the right to control the details of the work performed and is not dependent upon whether or not federal or state payroll taxes are withheld.

"Fingerprint vendor" means a person that offers, advertises, or provides services to fingerprint individuals, through electronic or other means, for the purpose of providing fingerprint images and associated demographic data to the Department of State Police for processing fingerprint based criminal history record information inquiries.

"Fingerprint vendor agency" means a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that engages in the fingerprint vendor business and employs, in addition to the fingerprint vendor licensee-in-charge, at least one other person in conducting that business.

"Fingerprint vendor licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by a fingerprint vendor agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Fire alarm system" means any system that is activated by an automatic or manual device in the detection of smoke, heat, or fire that activates an audible, visible, or remote signal requiring a response.

"Firearm control card" means a card issued by the Department that authorizes the holder, who has complied with the training and other requirements of this Act, to carry a weapon during the performance of his or her duties as specified in this Act.

"Firm" means an unincorporated business entity, including but not limited to proprietorships and partnerships.

"Licensee" means a person or business licensed under this Act. Anyone who holds himself or herself out as a licensee or who is accused of unlicensed practice is considered a licensee for purposes of enforcement, investigation, hearings, and the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

"Locksmith" means a person who engages in a business or holds himself out to the public as providing a service that includes, but is not limited to, the servicing, installing, originating first keys, re-coding, repairing, maintaining, manipulating, or bypassing of a mechanical or electronic locking device, access control or video surveillance system at premises, vehicles, safes, vaults, safe deposit boxes, or automatic teller machines.

"Locksmith agency" means a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that engages in the locksmith business and employs, in addition to the locksmith licensee-in-charge, at least one other person in conducting such business.

"Locksmith licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency, who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act, and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Mass notification system" means any system that is used to provide information and instructions to people in a building or other space using voice communications, including visible signals, text, graphics, tactile, or other communication methods.

"Peace officer" or "police officer" means a person who, by virtue of office or public employment, is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for offenses, whether that duty extends to all offenses or is limited to specific offenses. Officers, agents, or employees of the federal government commissioned by federal statute to make arrests for violations of federal laws are considered peace officers.

"Permanent employee registration card" means a card issued by the Department to an individual who has applied to the Department and meets the requirements for employment by a licensed agency under this Act.

"Person" means a natural person.

"Private alarm contractor" means a person who engages in a business that individually or through others undertakes, offers to undertake, purports to have the capacity to undertake, or submits a bid to sell, install, design, monitor, maintain, test, inspect, alter, repair, replace, or service alarm and other security-related systems or parts thereof, including fire alarm systems, at protected premises or premises to be protected or responds to alarm systems at a protected premises on an emergency basis and not as a full-time security officer. "Private alarm contractor" does not include a person, firm, or corporation that manufactures or sells alarm systems only from its place of business and does not sell, install, monitor, maintain, alter, repair, replace, service, or respond to alarm systems at protected premises or premises to be protected.

"Private alarm contractor agency" means a person, corporation, or other entity that engages in the private alarm contracting business and employs, in addition to the private alarm contractor-in-charge, at least one other person in conducting such business.

"Private alarm contractor licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by an agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency, who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act, and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Private detective" means any person who by any means, including, but not limited to, manual, canine odor detection, or electronic methods, engages in the business of, accepts employment to furnish, or agrees to make or makes investigations for a fee or other consideration to obtain information relating to:

(1) Crimes or wrongs done or threatened against the United States, any state or territory of the United States, or any local government of a state or territory.

(2) The identity, habits, conduct, business occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movements, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation, or character of any person, firm, or other entity by any means, manual or electronic.

(3) The location, disposition, or recovery of lost or stolen property.

(4) The cause, origin, or responsibility for fires, accidents, or injuries to individuals or real or personal property.

(5) The truth or falsity of any statement or representation.

(6) Securing evidence to be used before any court, board, or investigating body.

(7) The protection of individuals from bodily harm or death (bodyguard functions).

(8) Service of process in criminal and civil proceedings.

"Private detective agency" means a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that engages in the private detective business and employs, in addition to the licensee-in-charge, one or more persons in conducting such business.

"Private detective licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by an agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency, who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act, and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Private security contractor" means a person who engages in the business of providing a private security officer, watchman, patrol, guard dog, canine odor detection, or a similar service by any other title or name on a contractual basis for another person, firm, corporation, or other entity for a fee or other consideration and performing one or more of the following functions:

(1) The prevention or detection of intrusion, entry, theft, vandalism, abuse, fire, or trespass on private or governmental property.

(2) The prevention, observation, or detection of any unauthorized activity on private or governmental property.

(3) The protection of persons authorized to be on the premises of the person, firm, or other entity for which the security contractor contractually provides security services.

(4) The prevention of the misappropriation or concealment of goods, money, bonds, stocks, notes, documents, or papers.

(5) The control, regulation, or direction of the movement of the public for the time specifically required for the protection of property owned or controlled by the client.

(6) The protection of individuals from bodily harm or death (bodyguard functions).

"Private security contractor agency" means a person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity that engages in the private security contractor business and that employs, in addition to the licensee-in-charge, one or more persons in conducting such business.

"Private security contractor licensee-in-charge" means a person who has been designated by an agency to be the licensee-in-charge of an agency, who is a full-time management employee or owner who assumes sole responsibility for maintaining all records required by this Act, and who assumes sole responsibility for assuring the licensed agency's compliance with its responsibilities as stated in this Act. The Department shall adopt rules mandating licensee-in-charge participation in agency affairs.

"Public member" means a person who is not a licensee or related to a licensee, or who is not an employer or employee of a licensee. The term "related to" shall be determined by the rules of the Department.

"Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

(Source: P.A. 98-253, eff. 8-9-13.)

(225 ILCS 447/15-25)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 15-25. Training; private detective and employees.

(a) Registered employees of a private detective agency shall complete, within 30 days of their employment, a minimum of 20 hours of basic training provided by a qualified instructor. The substance of the training shall be related to the work performed by the registered employee. The training may be classroom-based or online Internet-based but shall not be conducted as on-the-job training and shall include relevant information as to the identification of terrorists, acts of terrorism, and terrorist organizations, as defined by federal and State statutes.

(a-5) In addition to the basic training required in subsection (a), registered employees of a private detective agency shall complete an additional minimum of 8 hours of annual training for every calendar year, commencing with the calendar year beginning after the employee's hire date.

(a-10) Annual training for registered employees shall be based on subjects related to the work performed as determined by the employer and may be conducted in a classroom or seminar setting or via Internet-based online learning programs. Annual training may not be conducted as on-the-job training.

(b) It is the responsibility of the employer to certify, on a form provided by the Department, that the employee has successfully completed the basic and annual training. The original form or a copy shall be a permanent record of training completed by the employee and shall be placed in the employee's file with the employer for the period the employee remains with the employer. An agency may place a notarized copy of the Department form in lieu of the original into the permanent employee registration card file. The original form shall be given to the employee when his or her employment is terminated. Failure to return the original form to the employee is grounds for disciplinary action. The employee shall not be required to repeat the required training once the employee has been issued the form. An employer may provide or require additional training.

(c) (Blank). Any certification of completion of the 20-hour basic training issued under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 1993 or any prior Act shall be accepted as proof of training under this Act.

(d) All private detectives shall complete a minimum of 8 hours of annual training on a topic of their choosing, provided that the subject matter is reasonably related to their private detective practice. The annual training for private detectives may be completed utilizing any combination of hours obtained in a formal educational classroom setting, including, but not limited to, a live educational workshop or seminar or an Internet-based online learning program. The Department shall adopt rules to administer this subsection.

(e) The annual training requirements for private detectives shall not apply until the calendar year following the issuance of the private detective license.

(f) It shall be the responsibility of the private detective to keep and maintain a personal log of all training hours earned along with sufficient documentation for the Department to verify the annual training completed for at least 5 years. The personal training log and documentation shall be provided to the Department in the same manner as other documentation and records required under this Act.

(g) If the private detective owns or is employed by a private detective agency, the private detective agency shall maintain a record of the annual training. The private detective agency must make the record of annual training available to the Department upon request.

(h) Recognizing the diverse professional practices of private detectives licensed under this Act, it is the intent of the training requirements in this Section to allow for a broad interpretation of the coursework, seminar subjects, or class topics to be considered reasonably related to the practice of any profession licensed under this Act.

(i) Notwithstanding any other professional license a private detective holds under this Act, no more than 8 hours of annual training shall be required for any one year.

(Source: P.A. 95-613, eff. 9-11-07.)

(225 ILCS 447/20-20)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 20-20. Training; private alarm contractor and employees.

(a) Registered employees of the private alarm contractor agency who carry a firearm and respond to alarm systems shall complete, within 30 days of their employment, a minimum of 20 hours of classroom training provided by a qualified instructor and shall include all of the following subjects:

(1) The law regarding arrest and search and seizure as it applies to the private alarm industry.

(2) Civil and criminal liability for acts related to the private alarm industry.

(3) The use of force, including but not limited to the use of nonlethal force (i.e., disabling spray, baton, stungun, or similar weapon).

(4) Arrest and control techniques.

(5) The offenses under the Criminal Code of 2012 that are directly related to the protection of persons and property.

(6) The law on private alarm forces and on reporting to law enforcement agencies.

(7) Fire prevention, fire equipment, and fire safety.

(8) Civil rights and public relations.

(9) The identification of terrorists, acts of terrorism, and terrorist organizations, as defined by federal and State statutes.

Pursuant to directives set forth by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the provisions set forth by the National Fire Protection Association in the National Fire Alarm Code and the Life Safety Code, training may include the installation, repair, and maintenance of emergency communication systems and mass notification systems.

(b) All other employees of a private alarm contractor agency shall complete a minimum of 20 hours of basic training provided by a qualified instructor within 30 days of their employment. The training may be provided in a classroom setting or may be Internet-based online or other supervised computerized training. The substance of the training shall be related to the work performed by the registered employee.

(c) It is the responsibility of the employer to certify, on forms provided by the Department, that the employee has successfully completed the training. The form shall be a permanent record of training completed by the employee and shall be placed in the employee's file with the employer for the term the employee is retained by the employer. A private alarm contractor agency may place a notarized copy of the Department form in lieu of the original into the permanent employee registration card file. The form shall be returned to the employee when his or her employment is terminated. Failure to return the form to the employee is grounds for discipline. The employee shall not be required to complete the training required under this Act once the employee has been issued a form.

(d) Nothing in this Act prevents any employer from providing or requiring additional training beyond the required 20 hours that the employer feels is necessary and appropriate for competent job performance.

(e) Any certification of completion of the 20-hour basic training issued under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 1993 or any prior Act shall be accepted as proof of training under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 96-847, eff. 6-1-10; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

(225 ILCS 447/25-20)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 25-20. Training; private security contractor and employees.

(a) Registered employees of the private security contractor agency who provide traditional guarding or other private security related functions or who respond to alarm systems shall complete, within 30 days of their employment, a minimum of 20 hours of classroom basic training, which may be provided in a classroom setting or may be Internet-based online or other supervised computerized training, and shall be provided by a qualified instructor, which shall include the following subjects:

(1) The law regarding arrest and search and seizure as it applies to private security.

(2) Civil and criminal liability for acts related to private security.

(3) The use of force, including but not limited to the use of nonlethal force (i.e., disabling spray, baton, stungun, taser, or similar weapon).

(4) Verbal communication skills Arrest and control techniques.

(5) The offenses under the Criminal Code of 2012 that are directly related to the protection of persons and property.

(6) Private security officers and the criminal justice system The law on private security forces and on reporting to law enforcement agencies.

(7) Fire prevention, fire equipment, and fire safety.

(8) Report The procedures for report writing and observation techniques.

(9) Customer service, civil Civil rights, and public relations.

(10) The identification of terrorists, acts of terrorism, and terrorist organizations, as defined by federal and State statutes.

(b) All other employees of a private security contractor agency shall complete a minimum of 20 hours of basic training provided by the qualified instructor within 30 days of their employment. The training may be provided in a classroom setting or may be Internet-based online or other supervised computerized training. The substance of the training shall be related to the work performed by the registered employee.

(c) Registered employees of the private security contractor agency who provide guarding or other private security related functions, in addition to the basic classroom training required under subsection (a), within 6 months of their employment, shall complete an additional 8 hours of training on subjects to be determined by the employer, which training may be site-specific and may be conducted on the job. The training may be provided in a classroom setting or may be Internet-based online or other supervised computerized training.

(d) In addition to the basic training provided for in subsections (a) and (c), registered employees of the private security contractor agency who provide guarding or other private security related functions shall complete an additional 8 hours of refresher training on subjects to be determined by the employer each calendar year commencing with the calendar year following the employee's first employment anniversary date, which refresher training may be site-specific and may be conducted on the job.

(e) It is the responsibility of the employer to certify, on a form provided by the Department, that the employee has successfully completed the basic and refresher training. The original form or a copy shall be a permanent record of training completed by the employee and shall be placed in the employee's file with the employer for the period the employee remains with the employer. An agency may place a notarized copy of the Department form in lieu of the original into the permanent employee registration card file. The original form shall be given to the employee when his or her employment is terminated. Failure to return the original form to the employee is grounds for disciplinary action. The employee shall not be required to repeat the required training once the employee has been issued the form. An employer may provide or require additional training.

(f) (Blank). Any certification of completion of the 20-hour basic training issued under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security and Locksmith Act of 1993 or any prior Act shall be accepted as proof of training under this Act.

(g) All private security contractors shall complete a minimum of 4 hours of annual training on a topic of their choosing, provided that the subject matter of the training is reasonably related to their private security contractor practice. The training may be provided in a classroom setting or may be Internet-based online or other supervised computerized training. The Department shall adopt rules to administer this subsection.

(h) It shall be the responsibility of the private security contractor to keep and maintain a personal log of all training hours earned along with sufficient documentation necessary for the Department to verify the annual training completed for at least 5 years. The personal training log and documentation shall be provided to the Department in the same manner as other documentation and records required under this Act.

(i) If the private security contractor owns or is employed by a private security contractor agency, the private security contractor agency shall maintain a record of the annual training. The private security contractor agency must make the record of annual training available to the Department upon request.

(j) Recognizing the diverse professional practices of private security contractors licensed under this Act, it is the intent of the training requirements in this Section to allow for a broad interpretation of the coursework, seminar subjects, or class topics to be considered reasonably related to the practice of any profession licensed under this Act.

(k) Notwithstanding any other professional license a private security contractor holds under this Act, no more than 4 hours of annual training shall be required for any one year.

(l) The annual training requirements for private security contractors shall not apply until the calendar year following the issuance of the private security contractor license.

(Source: P.A. 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13; 98-253, eff. 8-9-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

(225 ILCS 447/35-40)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 35-40. Firearm control; training requirements.

(a) The Department shall, pursuant to rule, approve or disapprove training programs for the firearm training course, which shall be taught by a qualified instructor. Qualifications for instructors shall be set by rule. The firearm training course shall be conducted by entities, by a licensee, or by an agency licensed by this Act, provided the course is approved by the Department. The firearm course shall consist of the following minimum requirements:

(1) 48 40 hours of training as follows: ,

(A) 20 hours consisting of training which shall be as described in Sections 15-20, 20-20, or 25-20, as applicable; , and 20 hours of which shall include all of the following:

(B) 8 hours consisting of practice firing on a range with live ammunition, including, but not limited to, firing a minimum of 50 rounds of live ammunition (factory loaded service ammunition or factory reloaded ammunition) and attaining a minimum score of 70% accuracy with each type of weapon the person is authorized by the Department to carry and for which the person has been trained; and

(C) 20 hours consisting of instruction in: (A) Instruction in

(i) the dangers of and misuse of firearms, their storage, safety rules, and care and cleaning of firearms;

(ii) defensive tactics for in-holster weapon retention;

(iii) . (B) Practice firing on a range with live ammunition. (C) Instruction in the legal use of firearms;

(iv) . (D) A presentation of the ethical and moral considerations necessary for any person who possesses a firearm;

(v) . (E) A review of the laws regarding arrest, search, and seizure; and

(vi) liability . (F) Liability for acts that may be performed in the course of employment.

(2) An examination shall be given at the completion of the course. The examination shall consist of a firearms qualification course and a written examination. Successful completion shall be determined by the Department.

(b) The firearm training requirement may be waived for a licensee or employee who has completed training provided by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board or the equivalent public body of another state or is a qualified retired law enforcement officer as defined in the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 and is in compliance with all of the requirements of that Act, provided documentation showing requalification with the weapon on the firing range is submitted to the Department.

(c) In addition to the training provided for in subsection (a), a licensee or employee in possession of a valid firearm control card shall complete an additional 8 hours of refresher training each calendar year commencing with the calendar year following one year after the date of the issuance of the firearm control card. The 8 hours of training shall consist of practice firing on a range with live ammunition, including, but not limited to, firing a minimum of 50 rounds of live ammunition (factory loaded service ammunition or factory reloaded ammunition) and attaining a minimum score of 70% accuracy with each type of weapon the person is authorized by the Department to carry and for which the person has been trained.

(Source: P.A. 98-253, eff. 8-9-13.)

(225 ILCS 447/35-45)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 35-45. Armed proprietary security force.

(a) All financial institutions or commercial or industrial operations that employ one or more armed employees and all commercial or industrial operations that employ 5 or more persons as armed employees shall register their security forces with the Department on forms provided by the Department. Registration subjects the security force to all of the requirements of this Section. For the purposes of this Section, "financial institution" includes a bank, savings and loan association, credit union, currency exchange, or company providing armored car services.

(a-1) Commercial or industrial operations that employ less than 5 persons as armed employees may register their security forces with the Department on forms provided by the Department. Registration subjects the security force to all of the requirements of this Section.

(b) All armed employees of the registered proprietary security force must complete a 20-hour basic training course and all the 20-hour firearm training requirements of this Section.

(c) Every proprietary security force is required to apply to the Department, on forms supplied by the Department, for a firearm control card for each armed employee. Each armed employee shall have his or her fingerprints submitted to the Department of State Police in an electronic format that complies with the form and manner for requesting and furnishing criminal history record information as prescribed by the Department of State Police. These fingerprints shall be checked against the Department of State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history record databases. The Department of State Police shall charge the armed employee a fee for conducting the criminal history records check, which shall be deposited in the State Police Services Fund and shall not exceed the actual cost of the records check. The Department of State Police shall furnish, pursuant to positive identification, records of Illinois convictions to the Department. The Department may require armed employees to pay a separate fingerprinting fee, either to the Department or directly to the vendor. The Department, in its discretion, may allow an armed employee who does not have reasonable access to a designated vendor to provide his or her fingerprints in an alternative manner. The Department, in its discretion, may also use other procedures in performing or obtaining criminal background checks of armed employees. Instead of submitting his or her fingerprints, an individual may submit proof that is satisfactory to the Department that an equivalent security clearance has been conducted. Also, an individual who has retired as a peace officer within 12 months before application may submit verification, on forms provided by the Department and signed by his or her employer, of his or her previous full-time employment as a peace officer.

(d) The Department may provide rules for the administration of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 98-253, eff. 8-9-13.)

Section 10. The Criminal Code of 2012 is amended by changing Section 24-2 as follows:

(720 ILCS 5/24-2)

Sec. 24-2. Exemptions.

(a) Subsections 24-1(a)(3), 24-1(a)(4), 24-1(a)(10), and 24-1(a)(13) and Section 24-1.6 do not apply to or affect any of the following:

(1) Peace officers, and any person summoned by a peace officer to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace, while actually engaged in assisting such officer.

(2) Wardens, superintendents and keepers of prisons, penitentiaries, jails and other institutions for the detention of persons accused or convicted of an offense, while in the performance of their official duty, or while commuting between their homes and places of employment.

(3) Members of the Armed Services or Reserve Forces of the United States or the Illinois National Guard or the Reserve Officers Training Corps, while in the performance of their official duty.

(4) Special agents employed by a railroad or a public utility to perform police functions, and guards of armored car companies, while actually engaged in the performance of the duties of their employment or commuting between their homes and places of employment; and watchmen while actually engaged in the performance of the duties of their employment.

(5) Persons licensed as private security contractors, private detectives, or private alarm contractors, or employed by a private security contractor, private detective, or private alarm contractor agency licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, if their duties include the carrying of a weapon under the provisions of the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004, while actually engaged in the performance of the duties of their employment or commuting between their homes and places of employment. A person shall be considered eligible for this exemption if he or she has completed the required 20 hours of training for a private security contractor, private detective, or private alarm contractor, or employee of a licensed private security contractor, private detective, or private alarm contractor agency and 28 20 hours of required firearm training, and has been issued a firearm control card by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Conditions for the renewal of firearm control cards issued under the provisions of this Section shall be the same as for those cards issued under the provisions of the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. The firearm control card shall be carried by the private security contractor, private detective, or private alarm contractor, or employee of the licensed private security contractor, private detective, or private alarm contractor agency at all times when he or she is in possession of a concealable weapon permitted by his or her firearm control card.

(6) Any person regularly employed in a commercial or industrial operation as a security guard for the protection of persons employed and private property related to such commercial or industrial operation, while actually engaged in the performance of his or her duty or traveling between sites or properties belonging to the employer, and who, as a security guard, is a member of a security force registered with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; provided that such security guard has successfully completed a course of study, approved by and supervised by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, consisting of not less than 40 hours of training that includes the theory of law enforcement, liability for acts, and the handling of weapons. A person shall be considered eligible for this exemption if he or she has completed the required 28 20 hours of training for a security officer and 20 hours of required firearm training, and has been issued a firearm control card by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Conditions for the renewal of firearm control cards issued under the provisions of this Section shall be the same as for those cards issued under the provisions of the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. The firearm control card shall be carried by the security guard at all times when he or she is in possession of a concealable weapon permitted by his or her firearm control card.

(7) Agents and investigators of the Illinois Legislative Investigating Commission authorized by the Commission to carry the weapons specified in subsections 24-1(a)(3) and 24-1(a)(4), while on duty in the course of any investigation for the Commission.

(8) Persons employed by a financial institution as a security guard for the protection of other employees and property related to such financial institution, while actually engaged in the performance of their duties, commuting between their homes and places of employment, or traveling between sites or properties owned or operated by such financial institution, and who, as a security guard, is a member of a security force registered with the Department; provided that any person so employed has successfully completed a course of study, approved by and supervised by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, consisting of not less than 40 hours of training which includes theory of law enforcement, liability for acts, and the handling of weapons. A person shall be considered to be eligible for this exemption if he or she has completed the required 20 hours of training for a security officer and 28 20 hours of required firearm training, and has been issued a firearm control card by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Conditions for renewal of firearm control cards issued under the provisions of this Section shall be the same as for those issued under the provisions of the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. The firearm control card shall be carried by the security guard at all times when he or she is in possession of a concealable weapon permitted by his or her firearm control card. For purposes of this subsection, "financial institution" means a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or company providing armored car services.

(9) Any person employed by an armored car company to drive an armored car, while actually engaged in the performance of his duties.

(10) Persons who have been classified as peace officers pursuant to the Peace Officer Fire Investigation Act.

(11) Investigators of the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor authorized by the board of governors of the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor to carry weapons pursuant to Section 7.06 of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor's Act.

(12) Special investigators appointed by a State's Attorney under Section 3-9005 of the Counties Code.

(12.5) Probation officers while in the performance of their duties, or while commuting between their homes, places of employment or specific locations that are part of their assigned duties, with the consent of the chief judge of the circuit for which they are employed, if they have received weapons training according to requirements of the Peace Officer and Probation Officer Firearm Training Act.

(13) Court Security Officers while in the performance of their official duties, or while commuting between their homes and places of employment, with the consent of the Sheriff.

(13.5) A person employed as an armed security guard at a nuclear energy, storage, weapons or development site or facility regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission who has completed the background screening and training mandated by the rules and regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

(14) Manufacture, transportation, or sale of weapons to persons authorized under subdivisions (1) through (13.5) of this subsection to possess those weapons.

(a-5) Subsections 24-1(a)(4) and 24-1(a)(10) do not apply to or affect any person carrying a concealed pistol, revolver, or handgun and the person has been issued a currently valid license under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act at the time of the commission of the offense.

(a-6) Subsections 24-1(a)(4) and 24-1(a)(10) do not apply to or affect a qualified current or retired law enforcement officer qualified under the laws of this State or under the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act.

(b) Subsections 24-1(a)(4) and 24-1(a)(10) and Section 24-1.6 do not apply to or affect any of the following:

(1) Members of any club or organization organized for the purpose of practicing shooting at targets upon established target ranges, whether public or private, and patrons of such ranges, while such members or patrons are using their firearms on those target ranges.

(2) Duly authorized military or civil organizations while parading, with the special permission of the Governor.

(3) Hunters, trappers or fishermen with a license or permit while engaged in hunting, trapping or fishing.

(4) Transportation of weapons that are broken down in a non-functioning state or are not immediately accessible.

(5) Carrying or possessing any pistol, revolver, stun gun or taser or other firearm on the land or in the legal dwelling of another person as an invitee with that person's permission.

(c) Subsection 24-1(a)(7) does not apply to or affect any of the following:

(1) Peace officers while in performance of their official duties.

(2) Wardens, superintendents and keepers of prisons, penitentiaries, jails and other institutions for the detention of persons accused or convicted of an offense.

(3) Members of the Armed Services or Reserve Forces of the United States or the Illinois National Guard, while in the performance of their official duty.

(4) Manufacture, transportation, or sale of machine guns to persons authorized under subdivisions (1) through (3) of this subsection to possess machine guns, if the machine guns are broken down in a non-functioning state or are not immediately accessible.

(5) Persons licensed under federal law to manufacture any weapon from which 8 or more shots or bullets can be discharged by a single function of the firing device, or ammunition for such weapons, and actually engaged in the business of manufacturing such weapons or ammunition, but only with respect to activities which are within the lawful scope of such business, such as the manufacture, transportation, or testing of such weapons or ammunition. This exemption does not authorize the general private possession of any weapon from which 8 or more shots or bullets can be discharged by a single function of the firing device, but only such possession and activities as are within the lawful scope of a licensed manufacturing business described in this paragraph.

During transportation, such weapons shall be broken down in a non-functioning state or not immediately accessible.

(6) The manufacture, transport, testing, delivery, transfer or sale, and all lawful commercial or experimental activities necessary thereto, of rifles, shotguns, and weapons made from rifles or shotguns, or ammunition for such rifles, shotguns or weapons, where engaged in by a person operating as a contractor or subcontractor pursuant to a contract or subcontract for the development and supply of such rifles, shotguns, weapons or ammunition to the United States government or any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, when such activities are necessary and incident to fulfilling the terms of such contract.

The exemption granted under this subdivision (c)(6) shall also apply to any authorized agent of any such contractor or subcontractor who is operating within the scope of his employment, where such activities involving such weapon, weapons or ammunition are necessary and incident to fulfilling the terms of such contract.

(7) A person possessing a rifle with a barrel or barrels less than 16 inches in length if: (A) the person has been issued a Curios and Relics license from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; or (B) the person is an active member of a bona fide, nationally recognized military re-enacting group and the modification is required and necessary to accurately portray the weapon for historical re-enactment purposes; the re-enactor is in possession of a valid and current re-enacting group membership credential; and the overall length of the weapon as modified is not less than 26 inches.

(d) Subsection 24-1(a)(1) does not apply to the purchase, possession or carrying of a black-jack or slung-shot by a peace officer.

(e) Subsection 24-1(a)(8) does not apply to any owner, manager or authorized employee of any place specified in that subsection nor to any law enforcement officer.

(f) Subsection 24-1(a)(4) and subsection 24-1(a)(10) and Section 24-1.6 do not apply to members of any club or organization organized for the purpose of practicing shooting at targets upon established target ranges, whether public or private, while using their firearms on those target ranges.

(g) Subsections 24-1(a)(11) and 24-3.1(a)(6) do not apply to:

(1) Members of the Armed Services or Reserve Forces of the United States or the Illinois National Guard, while in the performance of their official duty.

(2) Bonafide collectors of antique or surplus military ordnance.

(3) Laboratories having a department of forensic ballistics, or specializing in the development of ammunition or explosive ordnance.

(4) Commerce, preparation, assembly or possession of explosive bullets by manufacturers of ammunition licensed by the federal government, in connection with the supply of those organizations and persons exempted by subdivision (g)(1) of this Section, or like organizations and persons outside this State, or the transportation of explosive bullets to any organization or person exempted in this Section by a common carrier or by a vehicle owned or leased by an exempted manufacturer.

(g-5) Subsection 24-1(a)(6) does not apply to or affect persons licensed under federal law to manufacture any device or attachment of any kind designed, used, or intended for use in silencing the report of any firearm, firearms, or ammunition for those firearms equipped with those devices, and actually engaged in the business of manufacturing those devices, firearms, or ammunition, but only with respect to activities that are within the lawful scope of that business, such as the manufacture, transportation, or testing of those devices, firearms, or ammunition. This exemption does not authorize the general private possession of any device or attachment of any kind designed, used, or intended for use in silencing the report of any firearm, but only such possession and activities as are within the lawful scope of a licensed manufacturing business described in this subsection (g-5). During transportation, these devices shall be detached from any weapon or not immediately accessible.

(g-6) Subsections 24-1(a)(4) and 24-1(a)(10) and Section 24-1.6 do not apply to or affect any parole agent or parole supervisor who meets the qualifications and conditions prescribed in Section 3-14-1.5 of the Unified Code of Corrections.

(g-7) Subsection 24-1(a)(6) does not apply to a peace officer while serving as a member of a tactical response team or special operations team. A peace officer may not personally own or apply for ownership of a device or attachment of any kind designed, used, or intended for use in silencing the report of any firearm. These devices shall be owned and maintained by lawfully recognized units of government whose duties include the investigation of criminal acts.

(g-10) Subsections 24-1(a)(4), 24-1(a)(8), and 24-1(a)(10), and Sections 24-1.6 and 24-3.1 do not apply to an athlete's possession, transport on official Olympic and Paralympic transit systems established for athletes, or use of competition firearms sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, the International Shooting Sport Federation, or USA Shooting in connection with such athlete's training for and participation in shooting competitions at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and sanctioned test events leading up to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

(h) An information or indictment based upon a violation of any subsection of this Article need not negative any exemptions contained in this Article. The defendant shall have the burden of proving such an exemption.

(i) Nothing in this Article shall prohibit, apply to, or affect the transportation, carrying, or possession, of any pistol or revolver, stun gun, taser, or other firearm consigned to a common carrier operating under license of the State of Illinois or the federal government, where such transportation, carrying, or possession is incident to the lawful transportation in which such common carrier is engaged; and nothing in this Article shall prohibit, apply to, or affect the transportation, carrying, or possession of any pistol, revolver, stun gun, taser, or other firearm, not the subject of and regulated by subsection 24-1(a)(7) or subsection 24-2(c) of this Article, which is unloaded and enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container, by the possessor of a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card.

(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17; 101-80, eff. 7-12-19.)