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posted on 10/29/21

A Chicago couple has been saving for several years to put a down payment on a house in Long Grove. They find the perfect house and are thrilled when they learn that the buyer has accepted their offer. They are happy to be settling down in a beautiful neighborhood that is safe and wooded, providing them the perfect retreat from the city. Everything is going well until they move in and meet their next-door neighbor. They are surprised that every time they go outside, their neighbor seems to be outside watching them.

Their neighbor constantly comes up to them and gossips about other neighbors, using racial slurs and foul language. In addition, their neighbor is always complaining about something, whether it be where they place their trash cans or how their guests park on the street. One day, they see a threatening note that has been shoved through the crack of their front door. These notes are becoming more and more frequent as the weeks pass by. The note is not signed, but they suspect their nosy neighbor. Now they are starting to worry about their safety and wondering what their options are under Illinois law.

Requesting a Protective Order

It may sound like an overreaction to take out a protective order against a neighbor. However, there have been plenty of cases in Illinois that warrant a protective order. A neighbor being annoying is not enough to obtain a protective order in Illinois and Courts generally do not like to use their vast powers to solve petty neighbor disputes. Harassment involves repeated and intentional acts against you. You will need to show that the neighbor has caused you to reasonably fear for your safety. One of the best things you can do is begin collecting evidence. You can keep any notes, police reports, videos, and write down witnesses to the threatening exchanges. At the hearing regarding the order protection, the judge will analyze all of this evidence to decide if your neighbor’s specific communication or act rises to the level of harassment.

The judge presiding over your case may grant you a temporary or permanent restraining order. If so, your neighbor will be required to avoid you and stay away from you. If your neighbor lives next door to you, your neighbor will still be able to live in their own house. However, your neighbor will not be able to contact you, talk to you, come onto your property, or try to communicate with you in any other way. If you have children, the protective order may include them and other members of your family who are at risk. If your neighbor does violate the terms of the order of protection, they can be charged with a felony, which carries harsh penalties. On the criminal side, your neighbor could be charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor offense.

Contact a Chicago Order of Protection Lawyer

If you are dealing with harassment from a neighbor, or stalking, you need an experienced lawyer on your side who can advise you of all of your legal options. At Glasgow & Olsson, we have successfully assisted many clients with orders of protection, giving them peace from harassing neighbors. If you are being harassed and would like it to stop, contact our law firm today to discuss your case.