What happened?

On August 15, 2025, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill (HB) 1278, a measure amending the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) to protect employees who use employer-issued electronic devices to document incidents of violence.

Overview:

HB1278 adds Section 33 to VESSA (820 ILCS 180), introducing the following key protections:

• Anti-Retaliation (§33(a)): Employers may not fire, refuse to hire, harass, or discriminate against an employee who uses a company-issued device to record domestic violence, sexual violence, gender violence, or other violent crimes affecting themselves or a family member.

• Device Protection (§33(b)): Employers cannot take away or restrict access to employer-issued equipment solely because it was used to document such incidents.

• Access to Evidence (§33(c)): Employees must be allowed to access photos, videos, audio recordings, or digital documents stored on employer-issued devices that relate to the violent incident.

• Legal Compliance (§33(d)): Employers may still comply with investigations, subpoenas, or court orders involving the device or its contents.

• Employee Duties (§33(e)): Employees remain responsible for following reasonable workplace policies and performing their essential job duties.

Source References

• Illinois HB 1278 – VICTIMS SAFETY-ELECTRONICS – (Public Act 104-0171)

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