Restraining Orders

There are two types of stalking no contact orders: emergency orders and plenary orders.

Emergency stalking no contact orders: An emergency stalking no contact order can be issued if, after reading your petition and possibly questioning you, the judge believes:

• you are the victim of stalking; and
• there is “good cause” to grant you immediate protection without notifying the abuser before the hearing (also known as an ex parte hearing) because the abuser would likely harm you if s/he were notified ahead of time.¹

An emergency order will generally last for between 14 and 21 days.²

Note: If you need an emergency order when the court is closed, you can request an emergency order from any available circuit judge or associate judge. There may be one judge in each county who is available to issue an emergency order by phone or fax at any time when the courts are closed.³

Plenary stalking no contact orders: A plenary stalking no contact order can be issued after the abuser receives notice of the court case and both you and the abuser have a chance to appear in court.⁴ A plenary stalking no contact order can last for two years (or any fixed period of time up to two years).⁵

¹ 740 ILCS 21/95(a)
² 740 ILCS 21/105(a)
³ 740 ILCS 21/95(c)
⁴ 740 ILCS 21/100
⁵ 740 ILCS 21/105(b)