Reporting Stalking to Illinois Officials
Every hotline, state agency, and court resource you need to report stalking in Illinois.
In danger now? Call 911 · National DV Hotline 1-800-799-7233 · Crisis Line 988
Download the printable Illinois guide
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How to use this guide
This guide covers statewide Illinois resources: the government agencies, hotlines, and courts that serve every county. Each section also tells you how to find the right local office for your specific county.
Start here: Illinois has a Stalking No Contact Order available whether or not you have a domestic relationship with the stalker.
Before you call: have your documentation ready — dates, what happened, any messages or photos saved, and whether a report has already been filed elsewhere.
If you're in danger: call 911 first. Every other number in this guide is for follow-up support, not emergency response.
Emergency & Immediate Danger
Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical
911
Call if you are in immediate danger, right now.
Illinois State Police (find your local district)
Via isp.illinois.gov
For non-emergency matters outside local police jurisdiction.
Illinois VINE (offender custody notification)
Via vinelink.com
Free, confidential notification if a stalker is released from jail or prison.
Can't speak safely? In areas where Text-to-911 is supported, you can text instead of calling — check with your mobile carrier for coverage in your county.
Illinois — Statewide Agencies
Illinois Attorney General — Crime Victim Compensation Program
800-228-3368
crimevictimsservices@atg.state.il.us · Covers medical, counseling, and lost-wage expenses.
illinoisattorneygeneral.gov ↗Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority — Victim Assistance
312-793-8550
Statewide coordination of victim services funding and programs.
icjia.illinois.gov ↗Illinois Courts — Self-Help
Via illinoiscourts.gov
Official forms and instructions for a Stalking No Contact Order.
illinoiscourts.gov ↗Reporting to Local Police & Sheriffs
Stalking is usually reported to the police department in the city where you live or work, or to your county sheriff outside city limits.
Your local police department (non-emergency line)
Dial 911, or search “[your city] police non-emergency”
Stalking can be reported at any city police department or county sheriff's office.
Your county sheriff's office
Varies by county
Primary law enforcement in unincorporated parts of Illinois.
Your county Circuit Court
Find yours via illinoiscourts.gov
A Stalking No Contact Order is filed at your county Circuit Court — no domestic relationship to the stalker is required.
Good to know: you can file a report at any police department, not only the one nearest the stalker. Ask for the officer's name, a complaint or case number, and how to follow up.
Illinois Stalking No Contact Order
What it is: a civil court order for victims of stalking, available whether or not you have a domestic or household relationship with the stalker.
What's required: at least two incidents between you and the stalker that caused you to fear for your safety.
Penalty: a first violation of the order is a Class A misdemeanor in Illinois.
Illinois Courts — Self-Help
Official instructions and the Verified Petition for Stalking No Contact Order.
illinoiscourts.gov ↗Where to file
The Circuit Court in your county.
Step-by-Step: What to Expect
Filing a Police Report
- 1Go to any police department or county sheriff's office — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker.
- 2Ask to speak with an officer and say clearly that you want to report stalking or harassment.
- 3Bring your documentation: dates, messages, photos, and names of any witnesses.
- 4Ask for the report's complaint number before you leave, and request a copy if possible.
- 5Ask about victim assistance resources — many departments have a victim advocate or can refer you to ICJIA Victim Assistance.
Getting a Protective Order
- 1Go to your county Circuit Court Clerk and ask for the Verified Petition for Stalking No Contact Order.
- 2Describe at least two incidents with as much detail as possible — dates, what happened, and how they made you fear for your safety.
- 3File the petition with the clerk; there is no fee.
- 4A judge can issue an emergency order the same day, often without the other party present.
- 5The order is served on the other party by law enforcement — keep a copy with you, at home, and at work.
Specialized Support
DCFS Child Abuse Hotline
800-252-2873
800-25-ABUSE · Illinois Relay 711 · 24/7 statewide reporting for suspected child abuse or neglect.
Illinois Dept. on Aging — Adult Protective Services
1-866-800-1409
24/7 statewide · for abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an older adult or adult with a disability. Reports can be made anonymously.
Quick-Reference Contact Sheet
| Agency | Phone | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical | 911 | Emergency |
| Illinois State Police (find your local district) | Via isp.illinois.gov | Emergency |
| Illinois VINE (offender custody notification) | Via vinelink.com | Emergency |
| Illinois Attorney General — Crime Victim Compensation Program | 800-228-3368 | Statewide |
| Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority — Victim Assistance | 312-793-8550 | Statewide |
| Illinois Courts — Self-Help | Via illinoiscourts.gov | Statewide |
| DCFS Child Abuse Hotline | 800-252-2873 | Specialized |
| Illinois Dept. on Aging — Adult Protective Services | 1-866-800-1409 | Specialized |
Frequently Asked Questions — Reporting Stalking in Illinois
How do I report stalking in Illinois?
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, file a report with your local police department or county sheriff's office — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker. Bring dates, messages, photos, and witness names, and ask for the complaint or case number before you leave.
What should I do first if I think I'm being stalked in Illinois?
Stop engaging and start documenting. Save every message, call log, and screenshot with dates and times, and keep a written log of each incident. Then report it to local law enforcement using the contacts in this guide, and call 911 any time you are in immediate danger.
How do I get a protective order in Illinois?
What it is: a civil court order for victims of stalking, available whether or not you have a domestic or household relationship with the stalker. What's required: at least two incidents between you and the stalker that caused you to fear for your safety. Penalty: a first violation of the order is a Class A misdemeanor in Illinois.
Is there a fee to file a protective order in Illinois?
Filing fees vary by court in Illinois, but many protection-order petitions for stalking victims are free or fee-waived. The court listed in this guide can confirm the current fee before you file.
Can I get financial help for stalking-related costs in Illinois?
Yes — Illinois has a victim compensation program that may help cover medical, counseling, and lost-wage costs. Contact Illinois Attorney General — Crime Victim Compensation Program at 800-228-3368.
What counts as stalking under Illinois law?
Stalking is a repeated pattern of unwanted conduct — following you, repeated calls, texts, or messages, showing up uninvited, tracking your location, or making threats — that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety. In Illinois, a protective order is generally available regardless of your relationship to the stalker.
Can I report stalking in Illinois if the stalker lives in another state?
Yes. File the report where you live or where the stalking occurred. If the behavior crosses state lines, tell the officer — some cases may involve cross-jurisdiction or federal enforcement.
Can I report stalking anonymously in Illinois?
You can submit tips anonymously through statewide hotlines, and many child and adult abuse hotlines accept anonymous reports. For a criminal case, your name may need to appear on the report — ask the agency about its confidentiality policy.
What evidence should I save when reporting stalking in Illinois?
Save every message, email, voicemail, screenshot, and call log with dates and times; keep a written incident log; and note any witnesses. Back everything up to a secure location the stalker cannot access.
Where can I download the printable Illinois reporting guide?
You can download the free Illinois reporting guide as a PDF at https://www.stalking.org/Stalking.org-Reporting-to-Illinois-Officials.pdf. It includes every phone number and court contact in one printable sheet.
Disclaimer
The information on Stalking.org is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, medical advice, or mental-health advice, and it does not create an attorney-client or other professional relationship. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 (United States) or your local emergency number — Stalking.org is not a crisis hotline. Laws and platform policies change frequently, so always consult a qualified attorney, law enforcement officer, or licensed professional about your specific situation.
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