Subject Index Domestic Violence

The Illinois General Assembly enacted the Summary of Rights for Safer Homes Act. The director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights is now required to create a summary detailing the rights and remedies of tenants who are survivors of domestic violence or sexual violence that are guaranteed to them by the Safe Homes Act, the Code of Civil Procedure, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Public Utilities Act, the Illinois Municipal Code, and the Counties Code. Landlords leasing residential property must attach a copy of the summary as the first page of a lease, regardless of whether that lease is new or a renewal.

On Nov. 22, 2023, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court held that a trial court has jurisdiction under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act to hear a petition for an order of protection based on alleged abuse occurring outside the state of Illinois.

On May 24, 2023, the Second District of the Illinois Appellate Court concluded that surveillance of a spouse for anticipated and pending divorce proceedings is covered by the absolute litigation privilege, and that the Illinois Domestic Violence Act does not provide a private right of action.

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services adopted amendments to establish violence prevention community support teams to provide trauma recovery mental health services to children and adults who have experienced chronic exposure to firearm violence.

This Act amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 by creating the Hope Card program. A Hope Card is a laminated and wallet-sized card containing identifying information of the respondent of a plenary order of protection.

The State Finance Act has been amended to extend the Domestic Violence Fund to persons entered into civil unions. 30 ILCS 105/6z-72.

Notice of an order of protection is now more widely available at the request of a petitioner. 

Individuals with orders of protection issued against them soon will have their Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) Card revoked, requiring them to surrender their guns to a local law enforcement agency for safekeeping.

The Illinois Attorney General established the Married Families Domestic Violence Fund (the Fund) to fund the delivery of free legal advocacy, legal assistance, and legal services to married and formerly married victims of domestic violence by means of grants awarded by the Illinois Attorney General to public or private non-profit service providers. 

On February 20, 2009, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the decision of the Illinois Appellate Court, Third District, thereby affirming the decision of the Circuit Court of Cook County which dismissed the plaintiff's complaint because there was no genuine issue of material fact with regard to a defendant's enforcement of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 (750 ILCS 60/101 et seq (2002)).

The Illinois General Assembly amended Section 602.1 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and Section 222 of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act to prohibit health care providers from releasing a child's health care records to any respondent listed in an order of protection. 750 ILCS 5/602.1, 750 ILCS 60/222.

The State Finance Act has been amended with the addition of sections 30 ILCS 105/5.675 and 6z-69 to create the Married Families Domestic Violence Fund for domestic violence assistance and services.

The Illinois General Assembly passed the Safe Homes Act (Act) in an effort to reduce domestic violence by improving the ability of tenant victims and their families to escape "domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking."

On June 6, 2006, the Illinois Appellate Court, Second District, reversed the decision of the Circuit Court of DuPage County, which had ordered the issuance of a two-year plenary order of protection based upon testimony by respondent's ex-wife stating their daughter returned with a large welt on her leg after spending 11 hours with the respondent.

On December 22, 2005, the Illinois Appellate Court, Second District, modified a decision of the Circuit Court of DuPage County, which convicted the defendant of two counts of domestic battery. 

An employee who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence, or has a family or household member who is a victim, may take 12 weeks per year of unpaid leave from work to address domestic or sexual violence issues, pursuant to the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act.

On August 22, 2002, Gov. George H. Ryan signed law enforcement legislation that amends several provisions of the Criminal Code of 1961 (code).

On December 28, 2001, the Appellate Court of Illinois, Third District, affirmed the trial court's decision that the director of the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) abused his discretion by refusing to grant good-time credit to the defendant because he was previously charged with domestic battery.