In this Act:
"Department" means the Department of Labor.
"Director" means the Director of Labor.
"Division" means the Division of Occupational Safety and Health within the Department of Labor.
"Employee" means a person in the service of any of the following entities, regardless of whether the service is by virtue of election, by appointment or contract, or by hire, and regardless of whether the relationship is express or implied or established orally or in writing:
"Public employer" or "employer" means the State of Illinois or any political subdivision of the State.
820 ILCS 219/5