Most homeowners would not be pleased to look outside their window and see picketers protesting outside their home. To combat this nuisance, Illinois legislators passed Article 21.1 of the Illinois Criminal Code, which outlines the crime of residential picketing. Anyone who pickets before or about someones dwelling, unless that dwelling also functions as a business, could face criminal prosecution under this clause. A conviction of the crime of residential picketing carries a Class B misdemeanor status.
Need an Illinois criminal defense attorney? If you've been arrested for residential picketing in Illinois, call our Chicago criminal defense attorneys today at (312) 466-9466 to discuss your case.
The text below comes from Article 21 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961. This law may have changed -- please read the important legal disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
Illinois Criminal Code of 1961 - Article 21
Sec. 21.1-1. Legislative finding and declaration.
(720 ILCS 5/21.1-1)
The Legislature finds and declares that men in a free society have the right to quiet enjoyment of their homes; that the stability of community and family life cannot be maintained unless the right to privacy and a sense of security and peace in the home are respected and encouraged; that residential picketing, however just the cause inspiring it, disrupts home, family and communal life; that residential picketing is inappropriate in our society, where the jealously guarded rights of free speech and assembly have always been associated with respect for the rights of others. For these reasons the Legislature finds and declares this Article to be necessary. (Source: Laws 1967, p. 940.)
Sec. 21.1-2. It is unlawful to picket before or about the residence or dwelling of any person, except when the residence or dwelling is used as a place of business.
(720 ILCS 5/21.1-2)
However, this Article does not apply to a person peacefully picketing his own residence or dwelling and does not prohibit the peaceful picketing of the place of holding a meeting or assembly on premises commonly used to discuss subjects of general public interest. (Source: P.A. 81-1270.)
Sec. 21.1-3. Sentence.
(720 ILCS 5/21.1-3)
Violation of Section 21.1-2 is a Class B misdemeanor. (Source: P. A. 77-2638.) 720 ILCS 5/Art. 21.2
Return to Illinois Criminal Code of 1961 Table of Contents
DISCLAIMER: These excerpts from the law are provided for reference purposes only. Visitors to our Chicago criminal defense lawyer website should be aware that Illinois criminal laws have been amended many times and that Illinois crime laws posted on this site may not be current. In addition, Illinois criminal case law defines precedents for legal determinations that are not defined in the original laws.