1. Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/2-413) allows a court to authorize service by special order, sometimes called 'service by publication,' only after the plaintiff demonstrates:
- A.The defendant lives out of state
- B.Due diligence in attempting personal service has been exercised and the defendant cannot be found (correct answer)
- C.The claim is worth more than $10,000
- D.Both parties agree to publication service
Reference: 735 ILCS 5/2-206
2. Under Illinois law (720 ILCS 5/31-4), obstruction of justice includes:
- A.Refusing to answer questions from a private investigator
- B.Declining to testify in a civil case
- C.Knowingly destroying evidence or obstructing a judicial proceeding or investigation (correct answer)
- D.Hiring a PI to gather evidence
Reference: 720 ILCS 5/31-4
3. A private security officer in Illinois who witnesses domestic violence on the premises they protect should:
- A.Never intervene under any circumstances
- B.Issue a warning only
- C.Ask the parties to resolve the matter privately
- D.Call 911 immediately, take steps to protect the victim consistent with their authority and training, and document the incident (correct answer)
Reference: 750 ILCS 60 (IDVPA) / 720 ILCS 5/12-3.2
4. Under 750 ILCS 60 (the Illinois Domestic Violence Act), law enforcement and security personnel should be aware that an order of protection:
- A.Is enforceable statewide and must be honored by law enforcement and may affect security operations (correct answer)
- B.Only applies in the county where issued
- C.Cannot be enforced without the victim present
- D.Expires after 24 hours if not renewed
Reference: 750 ILCS 60/222
5. The Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66) restricts who may obtain a CCL. Which of the following is a disqualifying factor?
- A.Prior military service
- B.A felony conviction or certain misdemeanor convictions including domestic violence (correct answer)
- C.Owning more than two firearms
- D.Being over 65 years of age
Reference: 430 ILCS 66/25
6. Under 225 ILCS 447, which conduct may result in disciplinary action against a private detective's license?
- A.Using a vehicle for surveillance
- B.Charging over $100/hour
- C.Willful violation of the Act, fraud, criminal conviction, or conduct that demonstrates unfitness (correct answer)
- D.Working more than 40 hours per week
Reference: 225 ILCS 447/35-85
7. Illinois requires security professionals who carry firearms on duty to complete how many hours of firearm training for initial Firearm Control Card (FCC) authorization?
- A.4 hours
- B.80 hours
- C.40 hours
- D.20 hours (per IDFPR administrative rules, subject to change — verify current requirements) (correct answer)
Reference: 225 ILCS 447 / IDFPR rules
8. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-209 (Illinois long-arm statute), service of process may be made on an out-of-state defendant who:
- A.Transacted business, committed a tortious act, or owns property in Illinois, among other grounds (correct answer)
- B.Has any connection to Illinois
- C.Is a U.S. citizen only
- D.Owes money to an Illinois resident
Reference: 735 ILCS 5/2-209
9. The Illinois Department of State Police maintains which public database relevant to security background checks?
- A.HIPAA medical database
- B.The Statewide Sex Offender Database and the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registry (correct answer)
- C.Federal tax lien records
- D.Immigration status records
Reference: 730 ILCS 152 / ISP registries
10. Under Illinois law (720 ILCS 5/12-3.05), aggravated battery is applicable to a security officer who uses excessive force and causes:
- A.Mere discomfort to the subject
- B.Any bruising
- C.Great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement, or battery of a protected class (correct answer)
- D.Verbal offense to the subject
Reference: 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05
11. Illinois law governing security alarm systems (225 ILCS 447) requires that a person who installs, services, or monitors alarm systems must hold what credential?
- A.A private detective license
- B.A state electrician's license
- C.Only a business license
- D.A private alarm contractor license or work as a registered employee of a licensed alarm contractor (correct answer)
Reference: 225 ILCS 447 alarm contractor provisions
12. Under 720 ILCS 5/16A-3, retail theft in Illinois becomes a felony when the value of merchandise involved exceeds:
- A.$300 (correct answer)
- B.$300
- C.$100
- D.$1,000
Reference: 720 ILCS 5/16A-3 (verify — threshold subject to legislative change)
13. Illinois law (820 ILCS 305, Workers' Compensation Act) is relevant to a PI conducting an insurance fraud investigation because:
- A.PIs must be covered under the employer's workers' comp
- B.Fraudulently claiming workers' compensation benefits is a crime, and PIs may gather lawful evidence of such fraud (correct answer)
- C.PIs are exempt from workers' comp
- D.Workers' comp fraud is not a criminal offense in Illinois
Reference: 820 ILCS 305 / 720 ILCS 5/17-6
14. Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 102, the return of service in a civil case must be filed with the clerk of court within:
- A.3 days of service
- B.60 days of filing suit
- C.A reasonable time, and in any event before the defendant's time to appear expires (correct answer)
- D.30 days of service
Reference: Ill. S. Ct. Rule 102
15. Under 720 ILCS 5/11-9.4-1 (the 'Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child'), a private investigator or security officer who learns of child abuse during an investigation should:
- A.Continue investigating without interruption
- B.Only report if the victim is under 5 years old
- C.Report only if the client authorizes disclosure
- D.Be aware that Illinois law mandates reporting by certain professionals; consult with legal counsel and consider contacting law enforcement and DCFS (correct answer)
Reference: 325 ILCS 5 (Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act)
16. The Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (740 ILCS 14, BIPA) is relevant to security firms that use:
- A.Fingerprint or facial recognition systems to identify employees or visitors (correct answer)
- B.Security cameras
- C.Metal detectors
- D.Written sign-in logs
Reference: 740 ILCS 14 (BIPA)
17. The Illinois Firearm Dealer License Certification Act (430 ILCS 68) requires firearms dealers to maintain records; for a licensed FFL/SOT operating with security staff this means:
- A.Security officers may access A&D books freely
- B.Access to bound books and firearm records must be controlled and protected; only authorized persons may handle them (correct answer)
- C.All security staff must be licensed gunsmiths
- D.Security officers must be co-signatories on all 4473 forms
Reference: 430 ILCS 68 / ATF regulations
18. In Illinois, a security officer who unlawfully restrains a subject without legal justification may face criminal charges under:
- A.720 ILCS 5/16A-5 (retail theft)
- B.225 ILCS 447/35-90
- C.720 ILCS 5/10-3 (unlawful restraint) (correct answer)
- D.735 ILCS 5/2-202
Reference: 720 ILCS 5/10-3
19. Illinois law (720 ILCS 5/12-5) defines reckless conduct as:
- A.Any physical contact with another person
- B.Negligently operating a surveillance vehicle
- C.Any use of force by a security officer
- D.Consciously disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable risk that one's acts will cause bodily harm (correct answer)
Reference: 720 ILCS 5/12-5
20. Pursuant to 725 ILCS 5/103-3, a person taken into custody in Illinois has the right to:
- A.Be informed of the charge, right to remain silent, and right to an attorney (correct answer)
- B.Demand release if no charges are filed within 1 hour
- C.Contact any person they choose immediately
- D.Refuse identification
Reference: 725 ILCS 5/103-3