Illinois

Overview A Stalking No Contact Order (SNCO) under the 740 ILCS 21 Act is a crucial civil-court tool that enables victims of stalking to secure legal protection without needing a familial or domestic relationship with the offender. It prohibits direct, indirect, or electronic contact, restricts proximity to homes, workplaces, or schools, and criminalizes any violation…

Overview A Stalking No Contact Order (SNCO) under Illinois law (740 ILCS 21) provides a civil court mechanism for victims of stalking to prohibit contact, impose stay-away zones, and restrict electronic or third-party communications. However, SNCOs have inherent limitations they are legal instruments with boundaries in enforcement, scope, duration, and practical real-world impact. Understanding those…

Overview While a Stalking No Contact Order (SNCO) is designed to be financially accessible, understanding the true range of costs and fees associated with the process helps petitioners and respondents prepare. The Illinois General Assembly intentionally waived filing and service fees to ensure no stalking victim is denied access due to financial hardship. Section 90…

Overview A Stalking No Contact Order (SNCO) is a civil court remedy created by the 740 ILCS 21 — Stalking No Contact Order Act. It protects individuals who are the targets of stalking behavior but who do not share a family or household relationship with the offender. Unlike domestic-violence orders, an SNCO is available to…

Overview A Stalking No Contact Order (SNCO) is a civil protective mechanism created by the 740 ILCS 21 Act. When a respondent violates any term of that order, Illinois law treats the breach as a criminal offense under 720 ILCS 5/12-3.9. A first violation is a Class A misdemeanor; subsequent violations are elevated to Class…

Overview The duration of a Stalking No Contact Order (SNCO) in Illinois determines how long court protection remains in effect and when renewal is necessary. Under the 740 ILCS 21 — Stalking No Contact Order Act, emergency orders last up to 21 days (§ 95), while plenary orders—entered after notice and hearing—may last for up…

Overview A Stalking No Contact Order (SNCO) is a civil remedy under the 740 ILCS 21 — Illinois Stalking No Contact Order Act, designed to protect individuals from stalking or harassment where no domestic relationship exists. It allows any person who has experienced a pattern of non-consensual contact to seek immediate and long-term protection through…

Overview An Emergency Stalking No Contact Order (E-SNCO) is a temporary civil order issued by an Illinois court to protect individuals facing immediate danger from stalking behaviors. Authorized by 740 ILCS 21/95, it provides swift, ex parte relief—meaning the respondent does not need to be present or notified beforehand—when the petitioner demonstrates that stalking has…

Overview The Illinois Stalking No Contact Order Act (740 ILCS 21) creates a civil remedy for people subjected to stalking, regardless of any family or household relationship. An order may be issued on an emergency basis without prior notice to the respondent when statutory showings are met (740 ILCS 21/95), or after notice and hearing…

Overview A Stalking No Contact Order (SNCO) is a civil order available under the Illinois Stalking No Contact Order Act, 740 ILCS 21, that protects people from stalking and unwanted contact when relief is not available under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act. Illinois courts can issue an Emergency SNCO quickly—often the same day—based on the…