Menu

Article 45: Disclosing Location of a Domestic Violence Victim

Article 45: Disclosing Location of a Domestic Violence Victim

Illinois lawmakers drafted this article with the intent to protect the victims of domestic violence. In it, it is mandated that anyone who discloses the location of a domestic violence victim without the victims consent, knowing that disclosure could result in further violence, could be found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Need an Illinois criminal defense attorney? If you've been charged with disclosing the location of a domestic violence victim in Illinois, call our Chicago criminal defense attorneys today at (312) 466-9466 to discuss your case.

The text below comes from Article 45 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 45

Sec. 45-1. Definitions.
    (720 ILCS 5/45-1)

As used in this Article:

(a) "Domestic violence" means attempting to cause or causing abuse of a family or household member or high-risk adult with disabilities, or attempting to cause or causing neglect or exploitation of a high-risk adult with disabilities which threatens the adult's health and safety.

(b) "Family or household member" means a spouse, person living as a spouse, parent, or other adult person related by consanguinity or affinity, who is residing or has resided with the person committing domestic violence. "Family or household member" includes a high-risk adult with disabilities who resides with or receives care from any person who has the responsibility for a high-risk adult as a result of a family relationship or who has assumed responsibility for all or a portion of the care of an adult with disabilities voluntarily, by express or implied contract, or by court order.

(c) "High-risk adult with disabilities" means a person aged 18 or over whose physical or mental disability impairs his or her ability to seek or obtain protection from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

(d) "Abuse", "exploitation", and "neglect" have the meanings ascribed to those terms in Section 103 of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. (Source: P.A. 87-441; 88-45.)

Sec. 45-2. Disclosure of location of domestic violence victim.
    (720 ILCS 5/45-2)

Any person who publishes, disseminates or otherwise discloses the location of any domestic violence victim, without the authorization of that domestic violence victim, knowing that such disclosure will result in, or has the substantial likelihood of resulting in, the threat of bodily harm, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Nothing in this Section shall apply to confidential communications between an attorney and his or her client. (Source: P.A. 87-441; 88-45.)

   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.

Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer - (312) 466-9466 

Chicago Office

900 W. Jackson Blvd.

Suite 7E

Chicago, IL 60607

Map & Contact Info