Possession of weapons on the College campus, on property controlled by the College, at events sponsored by the College or at events attended while on College business is prohibited. This policy strictly prohibits all weapons on the Illinois College campus including in parking lots owned by the College. Weapons, including handguns or firearms, may not at any time be stored or carried in any College owned or leased vehicle. While the College recognizes that persons other than law enforcement personnel may be permitted to conceal and carry a firearm (also referred to as a handgun) defined in the Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act (430 ILCS 66/) if the person possesses a license issued by the Illinois Department of State Police to carry a concealed firearm, the College also has a right to strictly prohibit all weapons, including firearms or handguns, on campus, including parking lots owned and operated by the College.
A weapon is defined as any instrument or device designed or likely to produce bodily harm or property damage including but not limited to a handgun or firearm, dangerous chemical, an explosive device of any description, compressed air guns, pellet guns, BB guns, knives, stun guns, electric shock devices, metal or brass knuckles, bow and arrows, swords, slingshots or any other item modified from its original purpose to be used as a weapon. The College reserves the right to further determine the definition of a “weapon” and may prohibit other devices on an individual basis.
The following persons, groups or situations are exceptions to this blanket prohibition:
- Any federal, state or local police officer who is authorized to carry a firearm in the normal scope of their duties shall be permitted to carry one while on campus performing his or her official duties. The College may request current/valid identification for authorized law enforcement personnel to possess a weapon and the College reserves the right to confirm the authorization with proper authorities.
- Faculty, staff or students with prior authorization from the Provost or the Vice-President of Business Affairs and notification to the Department of Public Safety shall be permitted to transport and/or display certain prohibited weapons for educational or artistic usage provided they abide by the following conditions:
- Functional firearms and live ammunition are strictly prohibited.
- Any simulated/non-functional firearm used for artistic or theatrical purposes must be inspected by the Department of Public Safety or appropriate College personnel prior to its intended use. The usage of the weapons must be confined to rehearsal spaces, the theater, and the immediate vicinity of the theater and always under the oversight of said faculty, staff or student.
- When appropriate, the faculty, staff and students seeking authorization must include a list of additional faculty, staff and students who also require authorization for transporting and/or displaying the weapon.
- The weapon must be contained in a case while being transported.
- Faculty, staff and students are permitted to possess and use cutting instruments for purposes of educational/artistic endeavors in the confines of the assigned area of instruction.
- Any employee whose normal duties require the use of knives, utility knives, or other cutting instruments shall be permitted to possess, carry and use those instruments while in his or her normal course of duties.
- A person with a license to carry a concealed firearm (a licensee) is permitted to carry a concealed firearm on or about his or her person within their own vehicle into the designated Campus Services parking lot of the College (located on the East side of Park Street across from the football field) and must store the firearm and ammunition in a case within a locked vehicle or locked container out of plain view within the vehicle in the that parking area. “Case” can be a glove compartment, trunk of the vehicle or a firearm carrying box. A licensee may carry a concealed firearm in the immediate area surrounding his or her vehicle within the Campus Services parking lot area only for the limited purpose of storing or retrieving a firearm within the vehicle’s trunk provided the licensee ensures the concealed firearm is unloaded prior to exiting the vehicle.
Individuals who are found to be in violation of this policy are subject to disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment, expulsion from the College, and/or being barred from College property.
The Department of Public Safety will be responsible for all appropriate signage needed on campus regarding the Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
