Can VESSA and FMLA leave run consecutively?

Q. May an employee in Illinois take 12 weeks of unpaid time under the Victim Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) and then take 12 weeks unpaid FMLA leave?

A. VESSA provides an employee who is a victim of domestic violence, or who has a family or household member who is a victim of domestic violence, with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per any 12-month period to address issues arising from domestic or sexual violence.

However, unpaid VESSA leave may not be taken in addition to or in excess of unpaid leave allowed under the FMLA. Like FMLA, it is improper for an employer to retaliate if an employee takes leave in accordance with the terms of VESSA.