IllinoisProtective-order summonses warn respondents about missed hearings
Starting January 1, 2028, Illinois law requires protective-order summonses to warn respondents about missed hearings and possible legal consequences.
What it does
Summonses for protective orders warn respondents that missing court may lead to a decision without their side being heard. They also warn that violating an order may bring criminal or civil liability.
A person convicted of, or placed on supervision for, violating an order of protection pays an additional $20 fine for each violation, on top of any other penalties.
Courts may enforce protective orders after a respondent knows what the order says. In certain cases, service of the summons and petition, a default, and a matching emergency order support a presumption that the respondent knew its terms.
Argument forClear summons warnings could help respondents understand that missing court may lead to an order and that violating it may bring legal consequences.
Argument againstRespondents who miss a hearing may face an order without being heard, and people convicted of a violation or placed on supervision must pay an additional fine.
More detail
Summonses for protective orders include warnings about missed hearings, default orders, and possible liability for violating an order. These warnings apply to people summoned in cases for orders of protection. A judge may decide the case without hearing from the respondent if the respondent misses the required court date. The warnings apply when a summons is issued and served.
Courts impose an additional $20 fine for each order-of-protection violation when a person is convicted or placed on supervision. The fine applies to a person convicted of or placed on supervision for violating an order of protection. The fine is on top of any other penalties. This Act takes effect January 1, 2028.
Courts may enforce protective orders after the respondent knows what the order requires. These rules cover Illinois orders of protection, including valid orders from other states, tribes, or territories. Knowledge may be shown by service or other evidence. A court presumes knowledge only when the listed summons, petition, default, and matching emergency-order conditions are all met. Courts may use contempt proceedings as well as criminal prosecution, subject to limits on bringing both actions. Enforcement applies to a violation that occurs after the respondent has actual knowledge of the order.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 18Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0835Latest
- Aug 18Effective Date January 1, 2028
- Aug 18Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 29Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 31Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Li Arellano, Jr.
- Vote recorded Concurrence, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- May 31Passed Both Houses
- May 31Senate Concurs
- May 31House Floor Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs 057-000-000
- May 28House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion To Concur Recommended Do Adopt Criminal Law; 008-000-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- May 28House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Assignments Referred to Criminal Law
- May 28House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Assignments
- May 28House Floor Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Filed with Secretary Sen. Steve StadelmanMinor
- May 28Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1 - May 29, 2026
- May 28Secretary's Desk - Concurrence House Amendment(s) 1
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Lower
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Lindsey LaPointe
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Anna Moeller
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Maura Hirschauer
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Briel
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Sue Scherer
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
- May 27Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 109-000-000Passed House
- May 27Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- May 27House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted by Voice VoteMajor
- May 27House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 013-000-000Minor
- May 25House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Criminal Committee
- May 22Third Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2026
- May 21House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
- May 21House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Maurice A. West, IIMinor
- May 19Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 19Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 15Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio
- May 14Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
- May 7Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy
- May 6Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 6Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Dennis Tipsword
- May 6Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Windhorst
- May 5Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 014-000-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 27Assigned to Judiciary - Criminal CommitteeMinor
- Apr 17Referred to Rules Committee
- Apr 17First ReadingMinor
- Apr 17Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Jason Plummer
- Apr 17Chief House Sponsor Rep. Maurice A. West, II
- Apr 17Arrived in HouseMinor
- Apr 16Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Steve McClure
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 16Third Reading - Passed; 057-000-000Passed Senate
- Apr 15Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sally J. Turner
- Apr 14Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading ** April 15, 2026
- Feb 27Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Julie A. Morrison
- Feb 25Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading February 26, 2026
- Feb 25Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 24Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading February 25, 2026Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Do Pass Criminal Law; 009-000-000
- Feb 11Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes
- Feb 10Assigned to Criminal LawMinor
- Jan 29Referred to Assignments
- Jan 29First ReadingMinor
- Jan 29Filed with Secretary by Sen. Steve StadelmanIntroduced
Criminal Justice