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 petition and the judge’s examination, and a Plenary SNCO after notice and a hearing. A plenary SNCO generally lasts up to two years and can be extended. The Act makes clear who can file, where to file, the proofs required, and the available remedies (such as no contact, stay-away distances, and other tailored relief). See statutory provisions on persons protected, emergency orders, plenary orders, duration, and venue. Illinois also provides approved statewide forms for SNCOs through the Office of the Illinois Courts.

This guide explains eligibility, benefits, and a detailed 10-step process to request an SNCO—anchored in Illinois law and official court resources. Key references include: persons protected (740 ILCS 21/15), emergency orders (740 ILCS 21/95), plenary orders (740 ILCS 21/100), duration and extension (740 ILCS 21/105), venue (740 ILCS 21/55), and standardized forms from the Illinois Courts (illinoiscourts.gov).

Who Typically Benefits & Who Can Apply

People of any relationship status—including those with no family or household relationship to the stalker—may seek an SNCO. The Act permits filing by: (1) any victim of stalking; (2) a person filing on behalf of a minor or an adult who cannot file due to age, disability, health, or inaccessibility; and (3) certain authorized representatives in limited contexts, consistent with 740 ILCS 21/15. Venue is flexible: you may file in any county where you reside, the respondent resides, or where one or more acts of stalking occurred (740 ILCS 21/55). Because SNCOs are designed for non-domestic relationships, they are commonly used by students, neighbors, coworkers, rideshare customers, tenants, or members of the public targeted by strangers.

Benefits of an SNCO

• Rapid protection: Judges may issue Emergency SNCOs based on the petition and the petitioner’s sworn statements/examination without advance notice to the respondent, if statutory prerequisites are met (740 ILCS 21/95).
• Broad remedies: Courts may prohibit contact, impose stay-away distances, and craft tailored relief per 740 ILCS 21/80.
• Duration and extensions: Plenary SNCOs are effective up to two years and may be extended under 740 ILCS 21/105.
• Enforcement teeth: Violations are criminal (first offense Class A misdemeanor; subsequent offense Class 4 felony) under 720 ILCS 5/12-3.9.
• Statewide forms & access: Approved statewide forms and self-help resources are centralized at illinoiscourts.gov.

Process: 10 Detailed Steps

Step 1: Confirm Legal Eligibility and the Right Forum

Begin by confirming that your facts match the statutory framework. An SNCO is available when relief under the Domestic Violence Act is not available and you are a victim of stalking as defined in Illinois law. The Act explicitly states who may file and clarifies that a court should not require proof of physical injury to issue an order; stalking focuses on non-consensual contact that would cause a reasonable person to fear for safety or suffer emotional distress (see generally 740 ILCS 21/15 and Act definitions). From a practical standpoint, eligibility hinges on showing a course of conduct—separate incidents of unwanted contact—paired with the resulting fear/distress. If your situation involves a family or household member, consider whether an Order of Protection fits better; otherwise SNCO is the correct path.

Next, identify the correct forum using the Act’s venue rule: file in any county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where one or more stalking incidents occurred (740 ILCS 21/55). This flexibility matters for safety and convenience; for example, a student may file in the county of their campus even if the respondent resides elsewhere. Confirm the courthouse’s procedures (hours, e-filing availability, and any local administrative orders) on the circuit clerk’s website. Illinois also maintains statewide, approved SNCO forms to standardize process across circuits (Illinois Courts—Civil & Stalking No Contact Order forms).

Finally, decide whether to request an Emergency SNCO immediately. Under 740 ILCS 21/95, a judge may issue emergency relief if the petition and the judge’s examination show sufficient facts to indicate stalking and to support the relief requested. Emergency orders are designed to close the time gap before a noticed hearing on a plenary order. If you request emergency relief, be prepared to explain why the danger is immediate and present. Accuracy is critical—you are filing under penalty of perjury and your statements form the foundation for the court’s emergency action.

Step 2: Gather Evidence and Map the “Course of Conduct”

Evidence drives SNCO outcomes. Illinois courts look for a pattern—multiple acts of non-consensual contact (following, monitoring, unwanted messages, appearing at places, doxxing, etc.) that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or suffer emotional distress. Build a chronology with dates, times, locations, methods, and the impact on you. Save original media with metadata when possible. Print screenshots of texts/DMs/emails and label them (e.g., “Exhibit A—Text, Feb 2, 2025, 10:31 p.m., ‘I’m outside’”). If police were called, list report numbers and attach copies. Witness statements (neighbors, coworkers, classmates) help corroborate your account. Maintain consistency: the judge will compare your petition narrative with attachments and, later, with your testimony.

Under 740 ILCS 21/80, the court may grant remedies tailored to protect you if it finds you have been a victim of stalking and the requirements for emergency or plenary relief are satisfied. Your evidence should align with the remedy you seek. If you want a stay-away distance around your home, school, and work, show the respondent’s appearances at those locations. If you seek restrictions on electronic contact, show messages, tags, or posts directed at you or about you. While the Act does not require proof of physical injury, clarity and specificity matter; avoid generalities like “they keep bothering me,” and instead present time-stamped, incident-by-incident proof.

Security and privacy are part of evidence management. Redact sensitive account numbers or minors’ information from public copies, but preserve originals. Ask the clerk about protecting your address and confidential contact details where permitted. If you anticipate respondent pushback, prepare to authenticate your exhibits: know how you obtained them and why they are genuine. The more rigorously your record maps the course of conduct, the more readily the court can find the statutory elements satisfied.

Step 3: Use the Illinois Approved Statewide Forms to Draft the Petition

Illinois has standardized, plain-English SNCO forms approved statewide. Start at the Illinois Courts’ “Civil No Contact and Stalking No Contact Orders” page to locate the Stalking No Contact Order (SNCO) suite (illinoiscourts.gov). The packet typically includes: the Petition, additional affidavit pages, proposed Emergency Order, proposed Plenary Order, summons/notice materials, and instructions. Completing the official forms ensures your filing meets minimum content requirements and is accepted in any circuit. Use your chronology to complete each incident section; be concrete and chronological. Identify the respondent precisely (full name, any aliases, and, if known, DOB, addresses, employer/school). Correct identification supports service and enforcement downstream.

When the form asks whether you want an Emergency SNCO, answer thoughtfully. Under 740 ILCS 21/95, courts issue emergency orders when the petition and the judge’s examination indicate stalking and support the requested relief. Describe why notice would jeopardize your safety or why immediate relief is needed. Also select specific remedies under Section 80 (no contact, stay-away zones, workplace/school protections, etc.). Precision helps the court tailor an order that is enforceable and practical.

If filing on behalf of a minor or an adult who cannot file, state your authority consistent with 740 ILCS 21/15. Sign all documents under penalty of perjury. If the court uses e-filing, follow your circuit’s e-filing instructions; if not, print enough copies for the court, you, and service. The statutory scheme anticipates swift movement from petition to emergency consideration, so accuracy and completeness at this drafting stage materially affect how quickly you can be heard.

Step 4: File, Seek Emergency Relief, and Obtain a Hearing Date

File your petition with the circuit clerk in a permitted venue (740 ILCS 21/55). Ask the clerk about the court’s process for immediate review of Emergency SNCO requests. Many courts route petitioners to a judge the same day. The statute authorizes issuance if the petition and judicial examination indicate stalking and support the relief (Section 95). If granted, you will leave with a signed Emergency Order and a return date for a plenary hearing. If emergency relief is not granted, you still receive a noticed hearing to seek a plenary order.

Be prepared to answer the judge’s questions succinctly and consistently with your petition and exhibits. If the judge signs an Emergency SNCO, carefully review the terms (no-contact provisions, stay-away distances, protected places like school/work, and any additional relief). Confirm the hearing date for your plenary SNCO request; plenary orders require notice and an opportunity for the respondent to be heard (Section 100). Ask for several certified copies; in SNCO matters, courts routinely provide certified copies without charge for enforcement.

Keep a copy with you at all times. Share copies with school security, HR, or building management as appropriate. Remember, conditions begin when served on the respondent; the emergency order is effective upon entry for court and law-enforcement records, but arrest for violation typically presumes notice/service. Track the service status with the clerk and law enforcement so you know when the order is enforceable against the respondent personally.

Step 5: Arrange Prompt Service and Prepare for the Plenary Hearing

Illinois requires separate, prompt service for SNCO actions, and the summons must direct the respondent to appear quickly (the Act references accelerated timing for appearance and notice attachments) (Act provisions incl. Sec. 60–65; see also service language in Act overview). Work with the sheriff or authorized process server to deliver the petition, emergency order (if any), and hearing notice. Provide multiple addresses (home, work, school), typical hours, vehicles, and any safety information to assist service. Confirm when service is completed; ask the clerk to check for the filed “Return of Service.”

While service is being attempted, start preparing for the plenary hearing required by 740 ILCS 21/100. Organize exhibits in chronological order; print two sets (for the court and the respondent). Draft a short outline: (1) who you are and your relationship (or lack thereof) to the respondent; (2) the course of conduct with dates and places; (3) why a reasonable person would fear for their safety or suffer emotional distress; (4) why each requested remedy is necessary. Consider whether witnesses can attend live. If you need accommodations or remote appearance, contact the clerk ahead of time. At the hearing, the judge will determine if the statutory elements are met; if so, a plenary SNCO issues and is valid up to two years under Section 105. Violations of any SNCO—emergency or plenary—are criminally enforceable under 720 ILCS 5/12-3.9.

If service proves difficult, ask the court for guidance and keep evidence of diligent attempts. Courts may allow continuances to complete service while maintaining emergency protections. Do not contact the respondent yourself to speed service; use law enforcement or a licensed server. Your safety plan should assume the respondent will learn the hearing date once served, so vary routines and alert your workplace or school security in advance.

Step 6: Attend the Plenary Hearing and Present Evidence

The plenary hearing is where the court determines whether to issue a long-term order under
740 ILCS 21/100.
Both petitioner and respondent may testify and introduce evidence. Petitioners should arrive early, bring two organized copies of all exhibits, and check in with courtroom staff.
When your case is called, address the judge respectfully and remain focused on the statutory elements: that the respondent knowingly engaged in a course of conduct directed at you, that the conduct would cause a reasonable person to fear for safety or suffer emotional distress, and that you did in fact experience that fear or distress.

Under Illinois evidence rules, you may present documents, photos, messages, witness testimony, and prior police reports. Judges weigh credibility heavily, so be consistent with your written petition. If the respondent is represented by counsel, cross-examination may occur; answer briefly and factually. Keep attention on patterns rather than single events—the Act defines stalking through repeated, non-consensual contact. Courts also evaluate whether less-restrictive remedies could suffice, but when the pattern shows ongoing fear, a plenary order is appropriate.

If granted, the judge will read the relief aloud and sign a Plenary Stalking No Contact Order.
Orders can include: no physical, electronic, or third-party contact; stay-away zones for home, work, and school; protection for family members; firearm surrender provisions; and other tailored conditions.
The clerk enters the order immediately into LEADS (Law Enforcement Agencies Data System) for statewide enforcement per Illinois State Police procedure.
If the order is denied, you still have the record and may re-file if new stalking occurs.
Keep certified copies and confirm all pages match the judge’s signature.
This document becomes your primary shield and should be shown to police if violations occur.

Before leaving, ask court staff to clarify the expiration date (usually up to two years) and the next steps for extension or modification.
The hearing concludes the adjudicatory phase, but safety planning and compliance monitoring continue beyond issuance.
Judges often commend organized, factual presentations—thorough documentation not only persuades but also supports future enforcement should violations arise.

Step 7: Understand and Monitor Enforcement Procedures

Enforcement begins immediately once law enforcement is notified. Illinois integrates every issued SNCO into the statewide LEADS database, which allows any officer to verify the order 24/7. Carry a certified copy at all times. If the respondent violates any condition—appearing near you, sending messages, or contacting through third parties—call 911 and state that the respondent is violating a Stalking No Contact Order. Provide the order number and county. Under
720 ILCS 5/12-3.9,
the first violation is a Class A misdemeanor; subsequent violations are Class 4 felonies.

Police will verify service and order validity before arrest. In most cases, officers issue an on-scene arrest if probable cause exists that the respondent knowingly violated the order.
Document all incidents: note date, time, location, witnesses, and police report numbers.
Each violation should also be filed with the circuit clerk to maintain a record that supports enhanced penalties or order extension.

If enforcement lapses—e.g., an officer unfamiliar with SNCOs—politely reference that the order is enforceable statewide under
Section 115.
Provide your certified copy. Victim advocates or the State’s Attorney’s Victim/Witness Unit can assist in follow-up.
Never attempt to enforce the order personally; all responses should go through law enforcement.
Technology-facilitated violations (texts, tags, fake accounts) should be captured with screenshots and reported; Illinois courts accept digital evidence in print form.

Monitoring enforcement also means keeping contact with the clerk to confirm that law-enforcement data entries remain active through the order’s expiration. When you move or change numbers, file an address-of-record update without revealing confidential information publicly. Effective enforcement depends on current records; outdated contact data can delay responses.
Understanding these mechanisms ensures that your protection is more than symbolic—it becomes a living, enforceable safeguard.

Step 8: Renew, Extend, or Modify the Order Before Expiration

Under
740 ILCS 21/105,
a plenary SNCO lasts up to two years but may be extended upon motion of the petitioner. The key is timing: file your motion to extend several weeks before expiration. Use the same case number and reference the existing order. Explain why continued protection is needed, citing ongoing fear, new incidents, or continued unwanted monitoring. You do not have to show a new violation; reasonable continuing fear suffices.

If circumstances change—such as relocation, changed workplaces, or new forms of contact—you may also file to modify the order. The court retains jurisdiction to amend relief to maintain effectiveness. For instance, if the respondent begins contacting through social media not covered in the original order, you can request explicit digital-contact prohibitions. Modifications proceed under the same notice procedures as plenary hearings.

Extension hearings usually require notice to the respondent, though emergency extensions are possible if imminent harm exists. Prepare an affidavit summarizing events since issuance and attach supporting documentation. Continuity matters: renewal preserves LEADS enforcement seamlessly. If the order expires even one day before renewal is entered, protection lapses until a new order is signed.
To prevent gaps, set reminders 60 days before expiration and coordinate with your advocate or the clerk early.

Respondents sometimes oppose extensions by alleging changed circumstances. Stay factual—describe persisting fear and any recent indirect contact. Judges appreciate concise, documented evidence rather than emotional argument.
If an extension is denied and new stalking occurs later, you may re-file a new SNCO; prior records strengthen credibility.
Ultimately, understanding renewal mechanics transforms a time-limited order into ongoing safety continuity.

Step 9: Handle Violations, Contempt, and Criminal Proceedings

Violating an SNCO is both a criminal offense and a civil contempt. Under
720 ILCS 5/12-3.9,
police may arrest without warrant if they have probable cause that the respondent knowingly violated the order. The State’s Attorney then prosecutes the case; penalties range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony.
Simultaneously, you may file a Petition for Rule to Show Cause in the civil case, asking the judge to hold the respondent in contempt. This dual track reinforces accountability: criminal enforcement punishes, civil contempt compels compliance.

If a violation occurs, immediately record details—time, location, behavior, witnesses—and notify law enforcement. Obtain the police report number and submit a written statement to the State’s Attorney. Provide copies of texts, emails, or surveillance footage. Violations by proxy (using friends or online personas) still qualify if directed at you. Always let professionals handle contact; never confront the respondent.

In court, contempt hearings are shorter than plenary hearings. The judge will determine whether the respondent had knowledge of the order and willfully disobeyed it. Sanctions may include jail time, fines, or order modifications. Consistent documentation accelerates outcomes and deters further harassment.

Repeated violations can also inform future renewal motions or justify new criminal charges for stalking under
720 ILCS 5/12-7.3.
When reporting, remain calm and precise—credibility is your strongest ally.
Illinois’ integrated victim-advocate network can accompany you during enforcement stages and help coordinate communication with prosecutors.

Step 10: Plan Long-Term Safety and Post-Order Support

An SNCO is a cornerstone of safety, but long-term protection extends beyond the courtroom. After issuance, update your safety plan: change routines, secure your digital footprint, and inform trusted contacts about the order’s terms.
Enroll in Illinois Address Confidentiality Program if relocating. Update workplaces, schools, and childcare providers with copies of the order and clear instructions not to disclose your schedule.
Technology awareness is critical—review privacy settings, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor new social-media friend requests.

Mental-health recovery is equally important. Stalking victims often experience hypervigilance and sleep disruption long after legal relief.
Illinois domestic-violence and sexual-assault agencies provide free trauma-informed counseling regardless of relationship to the respondent.
Participating in follow-up counseling not only restores well-being but also strengthens your ability to testify confidently if future hearings arise.

Periodically check the order’s status with the circuit clerk. Confirm that law enforcement still lists it as active in LEADS. Keep digital and paper copies in separate safe locations.
If you relocate out of state, register the Illinois order in your new state under the federal Violence Against Women Act’s Full Faith and Credit Clause (18 U.S.C. § 2265).
This ensures nationwide enforceability.

Finally, celebrate progress. Obtaining an SNCO reflects courage and civic trust in the justice system. Continue documenting any contact attempts—even benign messages—and never hesitate to report violations. Long-term safety grows from a combination of legal boundaries, personal vigilance, and professional support.
By maintaining these measures, petitioners transform a two-year protective order into sustained peace of mind.

Costs Associated

There are no mandatory filing or service fees for SNCO petitions in most Illinois circuits; clerks and sheriffs treat them as fee-waived civil safety actions.
Optional expenses may include copies, parking, or legal assistance, but numerous self-help centers and pro-bono lawyers assist free of charge.
Check your circuit’s website for local fee-waiver rules under Supreme Court Rule 298.

Time Required

Emergency Orders can issue the same day under Section 95.
Plenary hearings are scheduled promptly after service, generally within 14–21 days.
Extensions or modifications take a few weeks depending on docket load.
Overall, most cases—from initial filing to final plenary order—conclude within 30 days.

Limitations

An SNCO does not guarantee physical safety; it creates enforceable legal boundaries. Courts cannot monitor respondents 24/7, and proof of service remains crucial.
Orders expire unless renewed; victims must remain proactive.
Additionally, relief applies only to the named respondent, not associates, unless specified.
Technology evolves faster than statutes—digital harassment forms may require creative, specific wording in the order.

Risks and Unexpected Problems

Typical issues include delayed service, retaliation, or misunderstanding of scope (e.g., indirect social-media contact).
Respondents might exploit loopholes such as anonymous online accounts.
Keep evidence, report every breach, and request modifications to close gaps.
Another risk is emotional fatigue: recounting events repeatedly can retraumatize victims—utilize advocates for support.
Lastly, ensure confidentiality of personal information in publicly accessible records by requesting address protection per Supreme Court Rule 138.

Sources (Official)

• Illinois Courts — Civil No Contact & Stalking No Contact Orders (Approved Statewide Forms)
• 740 ILCS 21/15 — Persons protected
• 740 ILCS 21/95 — Emergency stalking no contact order
• 740 ILCS 21/100 — Plenary stalking no contact order
• 740 ILCS 21/105 — Duration and extension
• 740 ILCS 21 — Act index (incl. venue/jurisdiction)
• 720 ILCS 5/12-3.9 — Violation of a stalking no contact order