Stalking No Contact Order Act:

Amendments clarify the types of conduct presumed to cause emotional distress and to refine the definition of stalking

Public Act 104-0251(eff. Aug. 15, 2025).

The Illinois General Assembly amended the Stalking No Contact Order Act to clarify the types of conduct presumed to cause emotional distress and to refine the definition of stalking.

Unless proven otherwise by a preponderance of the evidence, certain actions are assumed to cause emotional distress. These include: causing a scene or disturbance at someone’s job or school; repeatedly calling someone’s home, workplace, or residence after being clearly told by the individual or their employer to stop; repeatedly following someone in public; constantly watching an individual or looking into their windows; making threats against someone’s child or family; or threatening to use physical force, confinement, or restraint.

The amendment also explains that stalking covers behavior that is unreasonable under the circumstances, would cause an ordinary person emotional distress, and actually does cause distress to the petitioner. However, stalking does not include lawful activities protected by free speech or assembly, such as labor-related actions like checking compliance with worker-safety rules, wage and hour laws, or other organized labor demonstrations. law.isba.org/PA104-251.