This manual is designed to help lawyers who are taking on a domestic violence case for the first time. It is designed to help you represent a client in securing an Order of Protection.
In Illinois, there are four types of civil protective orders. They are:
- Orders of Protection (“OPs”): for domestic violence
- Stalking No Contact Orders (“SNCOs”): for stalking or harassment
- Civil No Contact Orders (“CNCOs”): for sexual abuse or assault
- Firearms Restraining Orders ("FROs): for possession or purchase of firearms and ammunition
All of these have the same basic function: to protect a victim from an abuser, although they do different things for different types of situations. The most commonly sought type of order is the OP. That is why this manual will focus on the OP.
Note: All emphasis is added for readability, unless otherwise indicated.
Relevant statutes
Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 (IDVA) 750 ILCS 60/101 et. seq.
Stalking No Contact Order Act 740 ILCS 21/1 et. seq.
Civil No Contact Order Act 740 ILCS 22/101 et. seq.
Firearms Restraining Order Act 430 ILCS 67/1 et. seq.
Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) 750 ILCS 5/101 et. seq.
Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 750 ILCS 46/101 et. seq.
Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) 750 ILCS 36/101 et. seq.
Illinois Long-Arm Statute 735 ILCS 5/2-209
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