Overview

A Civil No Contact Order (CNCO) is a court order that protects survivors of nonconsensual sexual conduct or nonconsensual sexual penetration by prohibiting the offender from contacting, harassing, or approaching the survivor. Unlike a domestic violence Order of Protection, a CNCO does not require a specific family or household relationship between the survivor and the offender. Illinois created the CNCO through the Civil No Contact Order Act, 740 ILCS 22, which authorizes emergency and plenary orders, sets eligibility, and lists available remedies (e.g., no contact, stay-away, and other conditions the judge deems necessary). CNCOs can also protect a survivor’s family or household members and rape crisis center staff/volunteers as appropriate. You generally file in the circuit court of the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the incident occurred. The judiciary has a statewide suite of simplified CNCO forms to help you start and complete your case.

Who Typically Benefits and Who Can Apply

Intended beneficiaries include survivors of sexual assault or sexual abuse who need court-ordered protection from further contact or intimidation. The statute allows a petitioner who experienced nonconsensual sexual conduct or penetration to seek relief; the court may also extend protections to the petitioner’s family or household members and to rape crisis center staff or volunteers who may be at risk due to their work with the survivor. In appropriate circumstances, a petition may be filed on behalf of a minor or a dependent adult. The statute defines key terms (“non-consensual,” “family or household members”) and clarifies that a qualifying relationship with the offender is not required—this is a core difference from domestic violence orders. (740 ILCS 22/103; Illinois Attorney General overview.)

Benefits of a Civil No Contact Order

Remedies available under a CNCO can include: prohibiting contact (in person, phone, text, email, social media); stay-away provisions from the survivor’s home, work, school, or specified places; and any other conditions the court believes are necessary to protect the survivor. Courts can issue emergency orders quickly, followed by longer plenary orders after notice and hearing. These orders create clear, enforceable boundaries; law enforcement can act if a respondent violates the order. (740 ILCS 22/213; Illinois Attorney General “Orders of Protection” page.)

Detailed 10-Step Process to Get a Civil No Contact Order in Illinois

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility, Venue, and Remedies Needed

A Civil No Contact Order (CNCO) in Illinois is a civil court order created under the Civil No Contact Order Act to protect a person who has experienced nonconsensual sexual conduct or nonconsensual sexual penetration. Before you assemble papers, verify your facts align with those statutory definitions. Build a neutral, chronological outline of incidents: dates, locations, what was done or attempted, and how it affected your safety, education, work, or daily life. Avoid conclusions (“he’s dangerous”) and stick to behaviors (“followed me from the library to my dorm and attempted to enter the lobby after being refused”). If you are filing for a minor or dependent adult, note your legal role (parent, guardian, appropriate representative) and gather a document that proves authority. If others need protection—children, a roommate, a partner—list them with full names and birth years so the court can extend protections as appropriate.

Decide where to file. Illinois generally allows filing in the circuit court of the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the incident occurred. Use that flexibility strategically. For example, if the respondent is more likely to be encountered at a certain courthouse, consider filing in a different permitted county that still meets venue rules. If you have relocated temporarily for safety, ask the clerk about confidentiality options for your address (some courts allow a substitute or “safe” address on public documents). If appearing physically in court raises risk or hardship, ask whether your circuit supports remote appearances in protection-order matters and what the technical requirements are (platform, timing, identification procedures).

Identify the exact remedies you need so your later requests are concrete and enforceable. A strong CNCO ordinarily includes: (1) No contact by any means—phone, text, email, social media, messaging apps, in-person, or through third parties; (2) Stay-away provisions from your home, workplace, school, and any other specified locations; and (3) Additional conditions the judge finds necessary for safety, such as prohibiting online harassment, doxxing, or posting images of you. Brainstorm the actual places you frequent and the channels the respondent has used or might reasonably use. Precision matters: name the residence address (with unit number), campus building names, lab rooms, rehearsal halls, bus stops, and parking lots where contact has occurred or could occur. Officers can only enforce what the order clearly prohibits; “anywhere near me” is weaker than “within 500 feet of 123 W. Main St., Apt. 4B; Arts Hall; Science Center; and Campus Rec Center.”

Choose your initial posture: Emergency CNCO vs. Plenary CNCO. If immediate harm is likely without swift relief—e.g., recent threats, stalking behavior, escalating messages—seek an emergency order first. Emergency orders may be issued without prior notice to the respondent and typically last a short period (often a couple of weeks) until a full, noticed hearing. If your risk profile is lower, you can proceed directly to the plenary path. Either way, the court will set a hearing date for a plenary order that can last longer, subject to statutory limits and judicial findings.

Finally, build a one-page briefing sheet for yourself that you will re-use throughout: (a) a concise timeline with two to four pivotal incidents; (b) a list of requested remedies mapped to daily life (specific places and channels); (c) names and phones of witnesses; and (d) a quick index of exhibits you can show at a hearing. That sheet keeps you focused with clerks, at emergency appearances, and during plenary hearings, and it dramatically reduces errors when you later transfer details into multiple court forms. By entering this step with a clear, factual story and a precise relief list, you set yourself up for an accurate, enforceable order that matches the realities of your schedule, travel routes, and environments.

Step 2: Evidence Readiness and Personal Safety Planning

A CNCO case moves faster and more smoothly when your materials are organized before you file. Start by creating a simple incident log—a table with columns for date, time, location, who was present, what happened, and the medium (in-person, text, social media, third-party). Then gather corroborating items: screenshots of messages (include handles and timestamps), call logs, voicemails, emails, social media posts, photos, medical records, police incident numbers, and the names/contact information of witnesses who saw or heard relevant events. Keep the tone clinical and factual; your aim is to show a pattern of nonconsensual conduct and ongoing risk, not to argue feelings or character.

Prepare two sets of evidence: a working set for you with notes and highlights, and a hearing set for court—clean, clearly labeled exhibits (Exhibit A, Exhibit B…) plus a one-page index summarizing each item (“A: SMS thread, 03/14–03/15, 17 messages; B: Doorbell cam still, 03/16, 10:42 pm; C: Email, subject ‘We will talk’, 03/17”). Print screenshots legibly and make sure timestamps and usernames are visible. If you intend to show digital media, check your circuit’s capability: some courtrooms cannot display videos or accept USB drives. When in doubt, take high-quality stills from videos and print those, while bringing the original file on a device if the judge permits viewing.

Think about privacy management. Court filings are often public by default. Many circuits prefer that sensitive exhibits be brought to the hearing rather than attached to the petition. Ask your clerk about sealing, redaction, or confidential addressing if you must file attachments. When redacting, remove only what is unnecessary (e.g., omit SSNs, bank details) while preserving context (names, times, places). If a third party (e.g., a school) gave you records, confirm you’re allowed to present them; if needed, you can testify to your own observations while you sort out record-sharing permissions.

Translate facts into relief-linked statements. After each incident in your log, add a short “so what” that maps to the order terms you will request. Example: “Respondent waited by the south parking lot exit after my class ended twice (03/12 and 03/14). Ask: stay-away from Arts Hall south lot and building entrances; no contact via in-person or third parties.” This habit trains you to keep requests narrow, necessary, and enforceable. It also accelerates a judge’s ability to understand why a certain location or channel must be covered.

Build a micro safety plan for the window between filing and the first court date. Identify safer travel routes and times, a support person who can accompany you, and the best place to wait inside a courthouse if the respondent might also appear. Program the courthouse clerk and sheriff civil division numbers into your phone. If you study or work on a campus, identify the relevant office (Title IX, HR, security) ahead of time and prepare to share certified copies of any emergency order you obtain. Save a digital copy of your petition and, later, your signed order to your phone and email so you can show it quickly if enforcement is needed on the spot.

Finally, write a three-minute script that you can read verbatim if you are nervous at an emergency appearance: one or two pivotal incidents showing immediacy, the limited relief you seek right now (no contact, stay-away with locations), and why notifying the respondent in advance would increase risk (e.g., retaliation, evasion). Practicing this script once or twice makes you clearer and calmer, and it reduces the chance you omit a critical place or channel that later becomes difficult to add.

Step 3: Complete the Illinois CNCO Forms Accurately (and Fast)

Use the most recent statewide, court-approved Civil No Contact Order form suite. Typical components include the Petition (your sworn statement of facts and requested relief), a Summons (used to notify the respondent of the plenary hearing), and proposed Order templates (emergency and plenary). Before typing, put your one-page outline next to you. Enter your full legal name and the respondent’s full legal name if known. If the respondent uses aliases or social media handles that matter to enforcement, list them where the form allows “Other names used.” Ensure any additional protected persons are listed precisely (full names, birth years) to avoid ambiguity at enforcement time.

In the Petition’s narrative fields, paste your concise, factual timeline. Anchor each incident with dates and places; keep each paragraph short and specific. Resist the urge to include every detail; focus on the conduct that satisfies statutory definitions and shows ongoing safety concerns. Where the form asks what you want the court to order, translate your relief-linked statements into clear, enforceable text. Name exact addresses (with unit numbers), specify stay-away distances (e.g., 500 feet), and enumerate communication bans (calls, SMS, email, social media, third-party or indirect contact). If online harassment occurred, add “no posting or sharing my images, contact information, or personal data online; no creation of new accounts to contact, monitor, or harass.”

If you seek an Emergency CNCO, complete the emergency sections and be prepared to explain why immediate relief is necessary and why advance notice would increase risk. Keep this explanation short, factual, and connected to recent events. If proceeding directly to a plenary hearing, verify that the Summons includes the best service address(es), typical hours, unit numbers, and any access notes that could help the sheriff (e.g., “entry buzzer doesn’t work; knock at rear door”). Good service data now prevents wasted trips and continuances later.

Proofread across the entire packet: names, dates, addresses, and birth years must match on the Petition, Summons, and proposed Orders. Cross-field typos (e.g., wrong apartment number on one document) are a leading cause of enforcement confusion. If your forms are PDF-based and retyping is painful, consider preparing them by answering guided questions in LegalAtoms. The interview keeps party details consistent across all documents, reduces typographical errors, and outputs ready-to-file Illinois forms you can print or e-file depending on local rules.

Print at least two sets: one to file and one for your records. If you expect to ask a judge to review a proposed order at an emergency appearance, print a clean copy for the court. Mark your personal working copy with reminders (e.g., “ask to add Arts Hall south lot”). If you’ll request remote accommodations or an interpreter, bring or prepare the local request form. Finally, staple or clip each set in the clerk’s preferred order; small organizational touches often translate into faster routing to the correct courtroom, which matters in emergency calendars where minutes count.

Step 4: Prepare a Clear Proposed Order (Emergency and Plenary)

A well-drafted proposed order makes it easier for a judge to grant precise, enforceable relief and for an officer to enforce it curbside. Create two versions: (1) a clean proposed order you will hand to the judge, and (2) a working copy with your notes so you can quickly compare the signed result and request corrections before leaving. Start with the statewide template and fill each remedy with concrete, real-world detail. For No Contact, enumerate channels: in-person, phone, SMS, email, social media, direct and indirect/third-party contact, messaging apps by example (e.g., WhatsApp, Instagram DMs), and any monitoring or surveillance behaviors you’ve experienced. For Stay-Away, name each location and entrance: full home address (with unit), workplace (address plus building/wing), school buildings (by name), specific labs or rehearsal rooms, and parking areas (“Arts Hall south lot and south entrance doors”). Include reasonable distances (e.g., 500 feet) that officers can interpret in the field.

Address online safety explicitly where relevant. Add terms prohibiting doxxing, publishing or threatening to publish your images or personal information, creating new accounts to contact or monitor you, or using technology to track your location. If you’ve observed impersonation (fake accounts), request language covering that behavior and authorizing you to share the order with platform safety teams if needed. If you and the respondent share classes, workspaces, or field placements, draft logistical separation measures (different sections, seating plans, alternating lab times). Courts respond well to targeted, practical solutions that preserve your access to school or work while preventing contact.

If you are seeking an Emergency CNCO, prepare a brief oral summary that matches the text of your proposed emergency order: one or two recent incidents showing immediacy, the narrow terms needed now, and why notice would increase risk. Judges often appreciate crisp delivery. For the Plenary CNCO, you can fine-tune or expand specificity at the noticed hearing after evidence is presented, but keep the order narrowly tailored to necessity—overbroad requests are more likely to be trimmed. Add a small “distribution” note to your proposed order: that you may provide certified copies to school security, HR, or building management to help with compliance. That practical line can avoid later confusion about whether you are allowed to share the order with institutions that must help enforce it.

Before printing, compare your proposed order side by side with your Petition to ensure every place and channel you requested in the Petition appears in the order. Consistency across documents prevents loss of critical protections and avoids being forced to come back for amendments. Put a sticky note on your working copy listing the absolute must-have terms in priority order. At the hearing, if the judge begins narrowing, you can concisely explain, for example, why the south parking lot must remain covered based on documented prior encounters. This preparedness frequently makes the difference between a technically valid order and one that is truly protective in daily life.

Step 5: File With the Circuit Clerk, Route Emergency Review, and Calendar Every Deadline

Filing is where preparation turns into a court record, so treat this step as logistics plus accuracy. Arrive (or e-file, if your circuit allows) with your packet in the clerk’s preferred order: Petition on top, proposed order(s), Summons for plenary process, and any required local cover sheet. If you’re seeking an Emergency Civil No Contact Order (CNCO), say that to the clerk right away; many Illinois circuits triage protection matters for same-day judicial access. The clerk will time-stamp your filings and assign a case number. Verify the spelling for your name and the respondent’s name as entered by the clerk; clerical typos propagate to dockets and can cause headaches at service or enforcement time. Ask for at least two stamped copies of everything you filed. Keep one set in a thin folder that you can carry to the courtroom and one set at home as a clean reference.

Confirm fee practices. In protection-order cases, filing fees are often minimized or waived; likewise, sheriff’s civil service may be provided at low or no cost. Policies vary a bit by county, so ask the precise question: “Are CNCO filing fees waived here?” and “How is sheriff’s service initiated from this clerk’s office?” In some circuits, the clerk transmits service packets to the sheriff electronically; in others, you physically deliver them. If you physically deliver, note the sheriff civil division’s hours, address, and any intake form, so you don’t lose a day to a closed counter. If you e-filed, verify how proof of filing and future notices will arrive (email, portal).

If you requested emergency relief, you may be sent directly to a courtroom or asked to wait for a virtual session. Keep your three-minute emergency script accessible and your evidence packet ready, but do not hand exhibits to the judge until invited. Have the clean proposed order on top and your working copy below it with stickies on must-have terms (addresses, building names, online-contact bans). If you did not request emergency relief, expect the clerk to issue a Summons and set your plenary hearing date; ask for the earliest date consistent with service rules. Write the date, time, courtroom, and any remote-link instructions in one place (calendar plus a physical sheet).

Now, handle service logistics before you leave the building. If the clerk will transmit documents to the sheriff, ask when that happens (e.g., end of day), how to verify it occurred, and how you will receive the return of service. If you must deliver the packet to the sheriff civil division, go immediately, and bring exact addresses, work hours, and access details (unit number, whether the building has a concierge, gate codes, vehicle descriptions). Provide a safe callback number so the sheriff can reach you for clarifications without revealing your personal phone to the respondent.

Calendar three classes of dates: (1) the emergency return date (if you received an emergency CNCO), (2) the plenary hearing date, and (3) a self-set service check date four to seven days before the hearing to confirm the sheriff actually completed service. Add a private fourth date two to three days before the hearing to re-print your exhibit set and re-run your oral outline so you go in crisp. If you need interpreters, ADA accommodations, or a remote appearance for safety or health, ask the clerk for the proper request form or email now; accommodations are easier to arrange when requested early.

Double-check document consistency before leaving: the Petition lists every protected person and place; the proposed order mirrors those entries; the Summons shows the correct hearing date/time and the respondent’s best service address. If something doesn’t match, fix it now—minor mismatches compound into continuances and weak enforcement later. If you anticipate you’ll need to revise wording (e.g., add a newly discovered building entrance), maintain all your data in a system where edits are painless and synchronized. If typing into static PDFs is slowing you down or increasing errors, prepare and maintain your Illinois CNCO forms by answering guided questions in LegalAtoms, then export, print, and file; it preserves consistency across Petition, Summons, and proposed Orders and makes later amendments straightforward without re-keying the same details.

Step 6: Arrange, Track, and Troubleshoot Valid Service of Process

Your plenary hearing cannot proceed without valid notice to the respondent, so service of process deserves as much attention as your evidence. If the clerk transmits the documents to the sheriff, set a reminder to call the sheriff’s civil division within two business days to confirm receipt. Provide the respondent’s best address, unit number, workplace address and hours, vehicle description, and any quirks (e.g., “buzzer broken; concierge signs for deliveries”). If you have multiple plausible addresses, ask whether the sheriff will attempt both or whether you should prioritize one first and update later. Where possible, add a photo (printed, not your only copy) to help the server identify the right person—some offices will staple it to the service packet.

Track service like a mini-project. Maintain a simple log with columns for “attempt date,” “location,” “result,” and “notes.” If an attempt fails because the respondent wasn’t home, ask whether early-morning or evening attempts are available. If the respondent is avoiding service (neighbors say he steps out back when someone knocks), note that pattern and ask the clerk about a motion for alternative service if personal service proves impracticable under your circuit’s rules. Always confirm procedural steps locally—requirements vary by county—but do not wait until the hearing morning to discover service failed.

If you already have an emergency CNCO, ensure the sheriff serves both the order and the notice of the next hearing. Carry a certified copy of the emergency order; if the respondent contacts you in violation, call law enforcement and show the order. Document every attempted or successful contact (dates/times/screenshots). Those facts may support an extension or expansion of relief at the plenary hearing, and they reinforce why a court should retain or add specific locations and bans.

Avoid self-service. Never attempt to hand the papers to the respondent yourself. It risks confrontation, undermines safety, and typically fails the neutrality requirement. If the sheriff cannot locate the respondent, ask about a special process server permitted by local rules—sometimes a licensed server can make attempts at hours or locations the sheriff cannot cover. Should you learn of a better address (e.g., a new job site), update the clerk/sheriff immediately and document whom you told and when.

Before your hearing, confirm that a return of service is filed. If you don’t see it on the docket, bring your own proof of every reasonable step you took to enable service (emails to the clerk/sheriff with new addresses, logs of attempted times, copies of any motions for alternative service). If service ultimately fails and the court must continue the hearing, ask the judge to extend any existing emergency CNCO to protect you during the gap and to authorize targeted service improvements (e.g., service at work during posted hours). Persistence and documentation here save weeks.

Step 7: Prepare for the Hearing With Script, Exhibits, and Witness Coordination

The best plenary presentations are short, specific, and anchored to the statute and the relief you want. Draft a 5-minute script that begins with who you are and what order you seek, then covers (1) two to four incidents demonstrating nonconsensual sexual conduct or penetration with dates/locations; (2) any post-incident contact or escalation; and (3) the exact terms you need (no contact of any type; stay-away from [addresses/buildings/parking areas]; bans on online harassment/doxxing; logistical separation at school or work). Practicing this script aloud two or three times trims filler, reveals gaps (like a building you forgot to name), and helps you stay calm if questioned.

Prepare your exhibit set as if you will hand it to the judge and to the respondent’s side simultaneously: clean copies, page-numbered, and indexed (“Exhibit A: SMS 03/14–03/15; Exhibit B: Doorbell still 03/16 10:42 pm; Exhibit C: Email 03/17 subject ‘We will talk’”). Bring at least three sets (court, respondent, you). If videos are crucial, print still frames that show key moments with timestamps and be ready to describe what the full video depicts, in case playback isn’t feasible. Keep a pen, sticky flags, and a notepad.

Witnesses require coordination. Confirm attendance the week before and the day before. If someone is essential but cannot appear in person, ask the clerk early whether remote testimony is permitted and the logistics (platform, camera requirements, oath). Write two or three focused questions you will ask each witness to elicit crucial facts succinctly (“Where were you standing?” “What did you see/hear?” “What time was that?”). Avoid leading speeches that invite objections; let the witness tell the discrete piece you need. If the respondent testifies, take notes silently and respond only to points the judge asks you to address; do not argue side issues.

Rehearse ask-and-reason pairs for contested terms: if you need the stay-away to cover “Arts Hall south lot,” be ready to say, “Your Honor, we had two encounters there on March 12 and 14. Including the south lot prevents predictable ambush points as I leave class.” Judges are likelier to grant focused terms with concrete reasons than sprawling, indefinite zones. Bring your clean proposed order and keep a one-line checklist of must-have items. If the judge narrows language, politely ask to be heard briefly on why your proposed text is necessary; then accept the ruling and move on without argument. Staying grounded and concise boosts credibility and outcomes.

Step 8: Present at the Hearing and Secure a Precise, Enforceable Order

When your case is called, introduce yourself and say you are seeking a Civil No Contact Order. Follow your script: facts first, then relief. Keep your eyes on the judge, not the respondent. If invited, hand up your exhibit set and proposed order. Use exhibit labels as you speak (“Exhibit B shows the south lot doorway on March 14 at 9:18 p.m.”). If questions come, answer directly; if you don’t know, say so rather than speculate. If the respondent speaks, take notes and wait—interruptions harm credibility and can distract the court from your clean presentation.

Stay focused on prevention, not punishment. CNCOs are civil remedies designed to stop future harm. The judge is assessing whether your evidence shows qualifying nonconsensual conduct and whether the terms you ask for are necessary and tailored. If the court trims a distance or omits a location, ask for a brief chance to explain why the omitted detail matters. Use specific, recent facts (“We had two contacts at that exact door within three days”). If the court remains unconvinced, pivot to the next most important term; do not get stuck debating one clause while time runs out.

If service is imperfect or the respondent just appeared and requests time, the court may continue the case. Ask respectfully to extend any emergency order through the new date and to endorse service logistics that are more likely to succeed (e.g., allowing work-address service during posted hours). If the court grants the CNCO, review the signed order before you leave: does it name all protected persons and places, specify communication bans (including indirect/third-party and social media), and include any special logistics (class section separation, parking lots)? Check spellings and addresses. Small errors weaken real-world enforcement and can be fixed immediately while everyone is present.

Finally, request certified copies and ask whether the clerk will transmit the order to law enforcement systems automatically. Keep one certified copy with you, one at home, and provide copies to your school’s Title IX office, employer security, or building management as appropriate. Save a PDF to your phone/email. If an order term is unclear to you, ask the judge to clarify right then; ambiguity breeds disputes in the field. The goal is a document that an officer can read in a parking lot and know—within seconds—whether a violation occurred and what to do next.

Step 9: Distribute, Enforce, and Maintain Your Order in Daily Life

After the hearing, the order is only as effective as your ability to show it and others’ ability to act on it. Start with distribution. Obtain certified copies from the clerk and carry one with you. Provide copies to school Title IX or campus safety, employer HR or security, and building management if needed. When you share the order, highlight the specific places the judge named (doors, lots, halls) so staff know where to watch and how to respond. If your order permits, share a copy with platform safety teams if online harassment is a risk. Save a digital version on your phone and a cloud folder you can access quickly.

Set up personal enforcement routines. Keep a violation log with date/time, place, what happened, witnesses, and any exhibits (screenshots, voicemails). If a violation occurs, call law enforcement immediately; show the order and cooperate with instructions. Even “small” violations matter: repeated hovering near a named doorway or indirect contact through friends undermines safety and should be recorded. Do not reply to baiting messages—silence plus documentation is stronger evidence and avoids allegations of mutual contact. If your order includes online bans (no doxxing, impersonation), take rapid screenshots and report fake accounts; attach copies of your order when platforms allow.

Keep the order current. Life changes—new class schedule, new job site, different commute—can create gaps. If a place becomes relevant (new building or specific entrance), file a motion to modify. For campuses and large employers, logistics matter: ask for section changes, alternate doors, or security escorts that align with order terms. If a violation happens at a location not named in the order, document the incident and seek to add that location promptly. Judges appreciate targeted updates that are clearly justified by new facts.

Finally, manage privacy and technology. Use device settings to block the respondent’s known numbers/handles. Tighten social-media privacy, disable location sharing, and review app-level permissions that might leak location data. If acquaintances are used as third-party messengers, screenshot and log it; indirect contact is typically covered by no-contact terms. Consider giving a close friend or supervisor a minimal script on what to do if the respondent appears: “Call security and 911; do not mediate.” The more you standardize your response, the less you must decide in stressful moments, and the stronger your evidence becomes if court action is required again.

Step 10: Extend, Modify, or Renew the Order and Audit Compliance

Treat your CNCO as a living perimeter that adapts as your life and risks evolve. Calendar the expiration on the day you receive the signed order and set reminders 45, 30, and 14 days out. Begin gathering extension materials at the 45-day mark: your violation log (if any), updated schedules (new classes, work sites), and a short declaration explaining why continued protection is necessary (persistent fear grounded in facts, proximity at school/work, attempted contact, or any new incidents). Use the latest statewide forms to extend or modify and keep the same case number. Ask the clerk for the earliest hearing date that still allows service on the respondent if required for the motion.

When seeking a modification, be surgical. Judges prefer narrow, necessary updates: add “Arts Hall west entrance” because two encounters occurred there; extend online terms to cover a new messaging app the respondent used; or adjust stay-away to cover a newly assigned clinic rotation. Bring two or three crisp reasons tied to evidence, and present a revised proposed order that integrates changes cleanly without altering unrelated sections. If you changed jobs or moved, update addresses across the order so officers can enforce without guessing.

Audit your own compliance. Do not respond to messages or meet “to talk things through.” If a shared environment is unavoidable (same employer or campus), follow the logistics in the order strictly—use assigned doors, shifts, or seating. Accidental violations complicate enforcement and may be exploited by the respondent to argue the order is unnecessary. Keep your support network aligned: supervisors, professors, or security should know exactly what the order covers so well-meaning “mediations” don’t undermine it.

If the court denied or trimmed terms you still believe are necessary, document new facts as they occur and consider a renewed request when you have concrete justification. If the respondent relocates or changes contact methods, your order should evolve—file to update. After any serious violation, bring your log, screenshots, and witness statements to court; judges are more likely to extend or fortify orders when they see a well-documented pattern.

Finally, streamline paperwork hygiene. Keep a digital folder with the current order, your log template, and motion/notice templates ready to reuse. If form editing across multiple PDFs is burdensome, prepare, update, and regenerate Illinois CNCO forms by answering friendly questions in LegalAtoms; the interview preserves consistency across Petition, Orders, and extension/modification filings so you can focus on safety facts rather than formatting. Treat this administrative rhythm—monitor, document, update—as the long-term mechanism that maintains a clear, enforceable boundary and lets you return attention to the parts of life your order is designed to protect.

Costs

Illinois protection order proceedings typically minimize costs for survivors. Filing fees for CNCO petitions are generally waived; confirm with your circuit clerk. Sheriff’s service fees are often not charged in protection order cases. Nonetheless, there may be incidental costs (e.g., copying or certified copies). Check local rules or an access-to-justice help desk for precise local practices. (Illinois Courts forms hub and standard protection order practices; see also AG overview of protection orders.)

Time Required

Emergency CNCOs can be issued quickly—often the same day you file—if the judge finds immediate protection is warranted. Emergency orders typically last 14–21 days, during which the court sets a hearing on a plenary order. Plenary orders may last up to two years, with the possibility of extension upon proper motion and showing of continued need. Your local court’s docket, service timing, and whether the case is contested will affect the overall timeline. (LEADS duration summary; statutory emergency/plenary structure.)

Limitations

A CNCO is a civil court order; it does not itself impose criminal penalties unless it is violated (at which point law enforcement involvement may lead to criminal consequences). While orders can impose broad no-contact and stay-away provisions, a judge will tailor relief to what is necessary for safety under the statute; the order cannot guarantee absolute prevention of all contact in public spaces, and it does not adjudicate criminal guilt for the underlying assault. Evidence rules and due process (notice and a hearing for plenary orders) apply. (740 ILCS 22/213; general structure of civil orders.)

Risks and Unexpected Problems

Potential issues include service delays if the respondent evades service, contested hearings that require testimony about sensitive events, and compliance monitoring (e.g., social media or indirect contact through third parties). Inaccurate or incomplete orders (missing a key location or protected person) can weaken enforceability; always review the signed order. If your circumstances change (new address, new school), seek a modification to keep the order current. Finally, some survivors experience retaliation or attempts to manipulate systems; keep documentation and consider safety planning with local resources. Courts and statewide guidance stress survivor-centered practices to reduce retraumatization. (Illinois AG sexual assault response guidance; court order content requirements.)

Primary Illinois Sources

• Illinois Courts – Civil No Contact & Stalking No Contact Orders (statewide forms).
• Illinois General Assembly – Civil No Contact Order Act, 740 ILCS 22.
• Illinois Attorney General – Orders of Protection (CNCO overview).
• LEADS Reference (duration summary for emergency and plenary orders).