Bill > HB2873

This bill amends the Stalking No Contact Order Act to expand the definition of "stalking" and create clearer guidelines for what constitutes harassment and emotional distress. The bill adds a rebuttable presumption of emotional distress for specific behaviors, including creating disturbances at a person's workplace or school, repeatedly calling a person's home or workplace after being asked to stop, following someone in public, surveilling them by repeatedly being near their home or workplace, threatening the safety of their minor child or family member, and threatening physical force or restraint. The definition of stalking is broadened to include harassment that is unnecessary, would cause a reasonable person emotional distress, and actually causes emotional distress to the petitioner. The bill maintains exceptions for lawful free speech and assembly, specifically protecting labor-related activities such as monitoring workplace safety and lawful picketing related to labor disputes. By creating these more explicit definitions and presumptions, the bill aims to provide clearer legal protections for individuals experiencing stalking and harassment, making it easier to obtain protective orders and demonstrate the harmful impact of such behaviors.

Justice

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2873&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104