Reviewed August 2026
Protective Orders in Illinois
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. Illinois calls its civil protection order an Order of Protection. The Illinois Domestic Violence Act authorizes it, at 750 ILCS 60/101 and following. A person abused by a family or household member, a current or former spouse, or a co-parent can petition the court. Filing costs nothing. An Illinois court can grant an emergency Order of Protection the same day when the danger is immediate. A plenary order, issued after a full hearing, can require no contact, order the respondent out of a shared home, and set temporary custody terms for shared children.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how protective orders works under Illinois law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Illinois paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Who qualifies for an Order of Protection
Illinois's Domestic Violence Act covers family or household members. That includes current and former spouses, and people related by blood or marriage. It also covers people who share or shared a household. Parents with a child in common qualify, as do people in a current or former dating relationship. People with disabilities and their personal assistants qualify too. This family or household connection sets an Order of Protection case apart from Illinois's separate civil no-contact order and stalking no-contact order, which cover other relationships.
Emergency orders and the plenary hearing
A petitioner who shows immediate danger can get an emergency Order of Protection the same day, without the respondent present. That order generally lasts up to 21 days. This gives time to schedule a hearing for a plenary, or longer-term, order. At the plenary hearing, both sides can appear. If the judge finds grounds for protection, a plenary Order of Protection in Illinois can last up to two years and can be extended.
Exact hearing dates depend on the circuit court's calendar. Confirm scheduling and any local paperwork with the clerk of the circuit court where you filed.
Filing is free, and where to file
Illinois does not charge a filing fee for an Order of Protection petition. File in the circuit court of the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse happened. Illinois courts publish a statewide Order of Protection toolkit with instructions and forms for filing without an attorney.
Firearms provisions
Illinois law lets a court order a respondent to surrender firearms and their Firearm Owner's Identification Card while an Order of Protection is in effect. Federal law separately restricts firearm possession for anyone subject to certain qualifying domestic violence protective orders. Violating an Illinois Order of Protection is a crime and can lead to arrest.
Orders of Protection and divorce or custody cases
An Order of Protection in Illinois is a separate case from a divorce or custody case. You don't need either one open to request it. The order can still set temporary allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time for shared children while it is active. If a divorce or custody case is already open, you can generally file the Order of Protection within that same case.
Sources: Illinois Courts, Order of Protection Toolkit, Illinois Courts, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, hotline 1-877-863-6338
Not independently confirmed
- The Illinois General Assembly statute site was not directly reachable to re-confirm the current 750 ILCS 60 text; the toolkit PDF and coalition site were used to verify process facts instead.
- Exact circuit-by-circuit scheduling practice for the plenary hearing; confirm with the filing circuit court clerk.
Protective Orders in Illinois: frequently asked questions
What is an Order of Protection in Illinois?+
It is Illinois's civil protective order under the Domestic Violence Act, 750 ILCS 60/101 and following. It applies to spouses, family and household members, co-parents, and current or former dating partners. While active, it can order no contact and firearm surrender.
Where do I file for an Order of Protection in Illinois?+
In the circuit court of the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse occurred. Illinois courts publish a statewide toolkit with the forms and instructions needed to file without an attorney.
Does it cost money to file in Illinois?+
No. There is no filing fee for an Order of Protection petition in Illinois.
How fast can I get protection in Illinois?+
A judge can grant an emergency Order of Protection the same day if you show immediate danger, without notifying the other person first. That order generally lasts up to 21 days while a hearing is scheduled for a longer plenary order.
How long does a plenary Order of Protection last in Illinois?+
A plenary Order of Protection, issued after a full hearing where both sides appear, can last up to two years in Illinois. It can be extended if the petitioner still needs protection when it is set to expire.
Can an Order of Protection affect custody in Illinois?+
Yes. It can set temporary allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time for children the parties share, even without a separate custody case open. If a divorce or custody case already exists, the order can generally be requested within that same case.
This page is general information about protective orders in Illinois, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Illinois's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Illinois. Virdix does not prepare or file Illinois divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Illinois.
More Illinois divorce guides
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In the states Virdix serves, it guides you through that state's own court forms so your paperwork is complete and consistent before you file. If you're filing in Illinois, the resources above are the right place to start, and the form above will tell you the moment Virdix reaches your state.
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