Illinois PI & Security Annual Refresher Training

Module 8 of 10

Criminal Law & Use of Force

23 questions. Read each one and its correct answer; the reference shows where it comes from. Your study time is recorded while this page is open and in use.

  1. 1. The Illinois Concealed Carry License (CCL) under 430 ILCS 66 does NOT authorize carry in which location relevant to security work?

    • A.Any building that has posted the required Illinois CCL prohibited sign or is a statutorily prohibited location (e.g., courthouse, school, government building) (correct answer)
    • B.A licensed shooting range
    • C.A private parking lot
    • D.An outdoor festival

    Reference: 430 ILCS 66/65

  2. 2. Under 720 ILCS 5/12-6, a private security officer commits the offense of 'intimidation' if they:

    • A.Raise their voice while giving directions
    • B.Communicate a threat to cause harm with intent to compel a person to perform or refrain from an act (correct answer)
    • C.Ask a person to leave private property
    • D.Use physical force to remove a trespasser

    Reference: 720 ILCS 5/12-6

  3. 3. Illinois law governing trespass to real property (720 ILCS 5/21-3) is relevant to a security officer because it authorizes:

    • A.Security officers to arrest trespassers anywhere in the state
    • B.Security officers to use deadly force to remove trespassers
    • C.Removal of persons who knowingly enter or remain on property after being told to leave by the property owner or authorized agent (correct answer)
    • D.Property owners to set physical traps

    Reference: 720 ILCS 5/21-3

  4. 4. Under 720 ILCS 5/12-3, a private security officer commits battery if they:

    • A.Use reasonable force to detain a shoplifter
    • B.Handcuff a lawfully detained person
    • C.Place a hand on a subject's shoulder to guide them
    • D.Intentionally or knowingly cause bodily harm to or make physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with a person without legal justification (correct answer)

    Reference: 720 ILCS 5/12-3

  5. 5. Illinois law regarding false imprisonment (720 ILCS 5/10-3) means a security officer may face charges if they:

    • A.Detain a person without legal authority or justification and in a manner that exceeds what the law allows (correct answer)
    • B.Detain a shoplifter with reasonable grounds for a reasonable time
    • C.Deny entry to a venue
    • D.Escort a trespasser off premises

    Reference: 720 ILCS 5/10-3

  6. 6. The Illinois Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act and similar statutes govern abandoned property; for a security officer this means:

    • A.Security officers may keep any abandoned property they find on duty
    • B.Found property should be turned over to management or law enforcement per established protocols (correct answer)
    • C.Security officers may auction abandoned property after 24 hours
    • D.Abandoned property on monitored premises is the officer's personal property

    Reference: 765 ILCS 1025 / property handling protocol

  7. 7. Illinois mandates that licensed private security contractors maintain what minimum level of liability insurance?

    • A.$100,000 per occurrence
    • B.$1 million per occurrence always
    • C.A level set by IDFPR (the Act requires proof of insurance; consult current IDFPR rules for current minimums) (correct answer)
    • D.No insurance is required by the Act

    Reference: 225 ILCS 447/35-20

  8. 8. Under Illinois law, a private detective or security employee may not be licensed if they have been convicted of:

    • A.Any traffic infraction
    • B.A federal parking violation
    • C.Any misdemeanor more than 20 years ago
    • D.A felony or certain disqualifying misdemeanors, subject to IDFPR review (correct answer)

    Reference: 225 ILCS 447/35-15

  9. 9. Under 720 ILCS 5/21-2 (Criminal Trespass to Vehicles), a PI who attaches an unauthorized GPS tracker to someone else's vehicle commits:

    • A.A criminal offense (correct answer)
    • B.A civil violation only
    • C.A professional ethics violation only
    • D.No offense if the vehicle is in a public lot

    Reference: 720 ILCS 5/21-2

  10. 10. Which Illinois act specifically governs the interception of electronic communications by law enforcement and private parties?

    • A.The Illinois Security Guard Act
    • B.The Illinois Eavesdropping Act (720 ILCS 5/14) (correct answer)
    • C.The Illinois Electronic Commerce Security Act
    • D.The Illinois Personal Information Protection Act

    Reference: 720 ILCS 5/14

  11. 11. In Illinois, the crime of 'aggravated stalking' (720 ILCS 5/12-7.4) as opposed to simple stalking involves:

    • A.Stalking any public figure
    • B.Following a person more than five times
    • C.Stalking accompanied by a threat, violation of a protective order, or while armed (correct answer)
    • D.Using electronic devices during surveillance

    Reference: 720 ILCS 5/12-7.4

  12. 12. The Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act (730 ILCS 150) is relevant to background investigation work because licensed PIs may access which database?

    • A.Only NCIC
    • B.Confidential mental health records
    • C.Sealed family court records
    • D.The Illinois State Police public sex offender registry (correct answer)

    Reference: 730 ILCS 150 / ISP public registry

  13. 13. Under 720 ILCS 5/24-1.5, a security officer who discharges a firearm in a grossly negligent manner that endangers others can be charged with:

    • A.Reckless discharge of a firearm (a Class 4 felony in most circumstances) (correct answer)
    • B.A petty offense
    • C.A professional licensing violation only
    • D.Accidental use, which is not a crime

    Reference: 720 ILCS 5/24-1.5

  14. 14. Illinois prohibits a security guard from carrying a firearm at which of the following locations even with a PERC and CCL?

    • A.A corporate office building with the client's consent
    • B.A school building without the express authorization of a school administrator and consistent with state law (correct answer)
    • C.A shopping center parking lot
    • D.A hospital lobby when authorized by the hospital

    Reference: 430 ILCS 66/65 / Gun-Free School Zone Act

  15. 15. Illinois requires private detective license applicants to pass what type of exam?

    • A.No exam is required
    • B.A physical fitness test
    • C.A polygraph examination
    • D.An IDFPR-administered written examination covering Illinois law and investigative procedures (correct answer)

    Reference: 225 ILCS 447/35-10(b)

  16. 16. The Illinois Human Trafficking statute (720 ILCS 5/10-9) is relevant to private investigators because PIs may be hired to:

    • A.Gather evidence in support of investigations but must report knowledge of trafficking to law enforcement (correct answer)
    • B.Engage in human trafficking investigations as law enforcement
    • C.Operate undercover as trafficking participants
    • D.Adjudicate trafficking claims

    Reference: 720 ILCS 5/10-9 / mandatory reporting considerations

  17. 17. Under 720 ILCS 5/12-7.5, cyberstalking is defined to include using electronic communication to:

    • A.Send any unwanted email
    • B.Threaten or harass a person in a way that causes them to fear for their safety (correct answer)
    • C.Post anything negative about a person online
    • D.Monitor social media with court authorization

    Reference: 720 ILCS 5/12-7.5

  18. 18. In Illinois, who must a licensed private detective report to if they discover evidence of a felony during a civil investigation?

    • A.Only the client
    • B.The IDFPR within 24 hours
    • C.There is no mandatory reporting obligation in most felony situations, but the PI must not obstruct justice and should consult legal counsel (correct answer)
    • D.The subject of the investigation

    Reference: 225 ILCS 447 / obstruction statutes

  19. 19. The Illinois Personal Information Protection Act (815 ILCS 530) requires a licensed PI who handles personal data to:

    • A.Share all data freely with clients and third parties
    • B.Retain data for at least 10 years
    • C.File all records with the Secretary of State
    • D.Implement reasonable security measures to protect personal information and notify affected persons of breaches (correct answer)

    Reference: 815 ILCS 530

  20. 20. Under 720 ILCS 5/26-1(a)(4), a private security officer who knowingly files a false police report commits:

    • A.Disorderly conduct at minimum; potentially obstruction of justice depending on circumstances (correct answer)
    • B.A civil tort only
    • C.A professional ethics violation only
    • D.No crime if the report was made in good faith

    Reference: 720 ILCS 5/26-1 / 720 ILCS 5/31-4

  21. 21. Illinois law (225 ILCS 447) requires a licensed private detective agency to maintain records of all investigations for a minimum of:

    • A.1 year
    • B.7 years (correct answer)
    • C.5 years
    • D.10 years

    Reference: 225 ILCS 447 recordkeeping requirements

  22. 22. Under 430 ILCS 65 (the FOID Act), a person whose FOID is revoked must:

    • A.Continue carrying until the revocation takes effect
    • B.Transfer firearms to a licensed dealer only
    • C.Surrender all firearms and FOID card within the statutory period (correct answer)
    • D.Petition the court before surrendering anything

    Reference: 430 ILCS 65/8

  23. 23. Under 720 ILCS 5/24-1, which of the following is considered an unlawful use of a weapon in Illinois?

    • A.Carrying a short-barreled rifle (barrel less than 16 inches), a short-barreled shotgun (barrel less than 18 inches), or a suppressor without federal NFA compliance (correct answer)
    • B.Carrying a TASER with a valid FOID and employer authorization
    • C.Possessing handcuffs as a licensed security officer
    • D.Carrying a baton when authorized by the employer

    Reference: 720 ILCS 5/24-1