The Illinois Petition for Civil No Contact Order (form CN P 101.5, current revision dated April 2024) is the court document a survivor of non-consensual sexual conduct or sexual penetration files to ask an Illinois Circuit Court to legally order an abuser to stay away. It is filed under the Civil No Contact Order Act, 740 ILCS 22, which lets survivors get protection without needing a marriage, dating, or family relationship to the respondent.
A wrong checkbox or vague fact statement can cause a judge to deny an emergency order on the same day, leaving the petitioner without protection for weeks. According to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Illinois courts process thousands of civil protection petitions each year, and pro se denial rates climb sharply when petitions skip the “specific facts” narrative or fail to attach the Confidential Information Form.
- 📝 How to fill in every box on Petition CN P 101.5 line by line
- ⚖️ Which remedies to check so the judge can actually grant them
- 🛡️ How to keep your home address hidden using the substitute address rule
- 🏛️ How to e-file through Odyssey eFileIL or file in person at the Circuit Clerk
- 🚨 How to get an emergency same-day order that lasts 14 to 21 days
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Petition for Civil No Contact Order is a civil court filing, not a criminal charge. It asks a judge to forbid a named respondent from contacting, approaching, or harassing the petitioner. It is the right form when the harm involves non-consensual sexual conduct or non-consensual sexual penetration, as those terms are defined in 740 ILCS 22/103. It is the wrong form for domestic violence between household members (use a Petition for Order of Protection under 750 ILCS 60) and the wrong form for stalking without a sexual element (use a Stalking No Contact Order under 740 ILCS 21).
Anyone who has been the victim may file. A parent, legal guardian, or rape crisis advocate may file on behalf of a minor or an adult unable to file on their own, as authorized by 740 ILCS 22/201. The form covers acquaintance assault, classmate assault, coworker assault, neighbor assault, or assault by any non-household person. There is no filing fee under 740 ILCS 22/202(b), and the sheriff serves the respondent at no cost.
The form is approved statewide by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice, so it works in every county, although Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, and Kane each post local cover sheets through their Circuit Clerks. Confirm the revision date printed at the bottom corner of page 1 before you write anything; using a stale version is a common reason clerks reject filings at intake.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather these items before you open the petition. Missing pieces cause hearing delays, denied emergency relief, or service failures that let the respondent stay near you for weeks longer than needed.
- Government photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport) to confirm your identity at the clerk’s counter and at the hearing.
- A safe mailing address you can actually receive mail at; if you do not want the respondent to learn your home address, you may use a substitute address as allowed by 740 ILCS 22/202.5 and the Address Confidentiality Program run by the Illinois Attorney General.
- The respondent’s full legal name, any aliases, date of birth, last known address, employer, vehicle, and physical description so the sheriff can serve them.
- A clear timeline of every incident: dates, locations, what was said, what was done, who saw it, and any injuries.
- Any police report number from a local department or Illinois State Police if you reported the incident.
- Medical or SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) records, photographs of injuries, screenshots of texts, social media messages, voicemails, or call logs.
- Names and contact information of any witnesses who can confirm parts of your account.
- The blank Confidential Information Form and the proposed Civil No Contact Order (form CN P 102.5) that the judge will sign.
- A safety plan and a confidential phone number; the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) and the RAINN hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE can help you build one.
Each missing item has a real consequence. Without the respondent’s address, the sheriff cannot serve papers and the plenary hearing gets continued. Without dates and locations, the judge has no “specific facts” on which to base relief, which is the single most common reason an emergency CNCO is denied.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official Petition CN P 101.5 lives on the Illinois Courts Approved Forms page. Download the fillable PDF directly to your device so you can type entries cleanly; handwritten petitions are accepted but harder for clerks to read at intake. Always confirm the revision stamp on the bottom of each page matches the most recent version, because the Supreme Court refreshes the standardized forms periodically.
You can also pick up paper copies at the Circuit Clerk’s office in your county courthouse, at most Illinois rape crisis centers, and through self-help resources at Illinois Legal Aid Online. ILAO provides a free guided interview that fills the petition for you based on plain-English questions.
If you e-file, you must register at Odyssey eFileIL, the statewide e-filing portal. Self-represented filers can use the free Illinois Free Legal Answers tool to get help from a volunteer attorney. Pro se filers seeking emergency relief can usually walk into the clerk’s office and request “in-person filing for emergency CNCO” so the judge can hear it the same day, which most counties allow even when e-filing is the default channel.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Petition CN P 101.5 Line by Line
The petition has a caption block, a petitioner section, a respondent section, a minor-child section, an incident-facts narrative, a requested-remedies checklist, an emergency-relief request, and a verification and signature block. Use the exact field names printed on the form.
Caption: County, Case Number, and Court
The caption sits at the top of page 1. It tells the court system which Circuit Court will hear the case and creates the official case identity.
In plain English, this asks “where are you filing?” Type the county name on the line that reads “In the Circuit Court of the ____ Judicial Circuit” and the county on the next line. Maria Lopez files in Cook County, so she writes “Cook” in both fields and leaves the case number blank because the clerk assigns it at intake. The nuance is that you may file in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse happened, per 740 ILCS 22/202. A common mistake is filing in the wrong county because the survivor moved after the assault, which can cause a venue transfer and delay the hearing by weeks. A misconception is that the case number must be filled in by the petitioner; it is always assigned by the Circuit Clerk.
Petitioner Information Box
This box identifies you, the person asking for protection. The form labels it “Petitioner” with lines for name, address, phone, and date of birth.
Fill in your full legal name in ALL CAPS exactly as it appears on your government ID. Use a safe mailing address; if you fear the respondent learning where you live, write the address of a domestic violence or sexual assault agency, an attorney, or a substitute address through the Attorney General’s program. Janet Williams writes “JANET WILLIAMS,” her advocate’s address at the Chicago YWCA, a Google Voice number, and her DOB as 04/12/1991. The nuance is that minors do not write their address here; the parent or guardian does. The biggest mistake is writing your real home address out of habit, which becomes part of the public court record and reaches the respondent through service. The misconception is that you must provide your real phone number; a Google Voice or advocate-relay number is fully acceptable.
Respondent Information Box
This box names the person you want the court to restrain. Accuracy here is what makes service possible.
Write the respondent’s full legal name in ALL CAPS, plus any aliases on the line marked “a/k/a”. Add the last known street address, employer, date of birth, race, sex, height, weight, hair color, and eye color, because the sheriff uses these details to identify the respondent at service. Carlos Rivera writes “DAVID PARK, a/k/a Dave Park,” lists Park’s apartment in Evanston, his employer “Northwestern University,” DOB 09/03/1995, and a physical description. The nuance is that if you only know a workplace, list that as the service address. The mistake is leaving the description blank; deputies often refuse to attempt service without it. The misconception is that the sheriff will “find” the respondent; the sheriff serves only at the address you supply.
Relationship to the Respondent
This field asks how you know the respondent. The Civil No Contact Order is restricted to non-household, non-dating relationships involving sexual abuse.
Check the box that matches: classmate, coworker, neighbor, acquaintance, stranger, or other (specify). Aisha Johnson checks “classmate” because the respondent is a student in her chemistry lab. The nuance is that if the respondent is a household member or a current or former dating partner, you must instead file an Order of Protection under 750 ILCS 60. The mistake is checking “other” without specifying; the judge cannot evaluate jurisdiction without context. The misconception is that “no relationship” disqualifies you; stranger assault is fully covered by 740 ILCS 22.
Minor Children Section
If you are filing for a minor or want minor children protected by the order, list them here.
Enter each child’s initials only (never full names of minors in a public filing), date of birth, and relationship to the petitioner and respondent. Marcus Hill, filing for his 14-year-old daughter, writes “S.H., DOB 06/22/2011, daughter of petitioner.” The nuance is that the Confidential Information Form holds the full names; the petition keeps initials to protect the child. The mistake is writing the full name on the petition, which becomes public; clerks often catch and reject this at intake. The misconception is that minors must be present at the hearing; in most counties they do not, and judges prefer they not testify if a parent can.
Statement of Specific Facts (Incident Narrative)
This is the heart of the petition. The judge decides emergency relief almost entirely on what you write here.
Write each incident in time order: date, location, who was present, what the respondent did, what was said, and any physical or emotional injuries. Use plain language and the present-tense voice of memory. Maria writes: “On 02/14/2026 at about 10:30 p.m., respondent followed me into the stairwell at 1525 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago. He grabbed my wrist, pushed me against the wall, and forced sexual contact over my clothing. I told him to stop three times. I escaped when a neighbor opened a hallway door.” The nuance is that you can attach extra pages labeled “Attachment A” if the box is too small. The biggest mistake is vague language like “he assaulted me” with no date, place, or detail; judges deny emergency orders for lack of specific facts. The misconception is that you need a police report to be believed; sworn testimony in this petition is itself evidence.
Requested Remedies Checklist
This is the menu of orders the court can issue. The judge can only grant what you check.
Read each remedy carefully and check every one you need: prohibit contact, prohibit approach within a stated distance, stay-away from home, school, workplace, prohibit third-party contact, surrender of firearms under 430 ILCS 65, counseling, and any other relief allowed by 740 ILCS 22/213. Janet checks contact prohibition, 500-foot stay-away, no third-party contact, and firearm surrender because the respondent owns a registered handgun. The nuance is that you can write in custom remedies on the “other” line, such as “no contact through video games or gaming platforms.” The mistake is checking only “no contact” and forgetting the stay-away distance; without it, the respondent can legally stand 10 feet away as long as he says nothing. The misconception is that the judge will add remedies you forgot; judges rule only on what is requested in writing.
Emergency Relief Request
If you need protection before the respondent is served, you must check the emergency relief box and explain why notice would put you at risk.
Mark the box labeled “I am asking for an Emergency Civil No Contact Order” and write a one to three sentence reason in the space provided. Aisha writes: “Notice to respondent before entry of an order would expose me to immediate danger because he lives in the same dorm and has threatened retaliation.” The nuance is that an emergency order lasts 14 to 21 days under 740 ILCS 22/214 and expires when the plenary hearing occurs. The mistake is asking for emergency relief without explaining the risk of advance notice; judges deny ex parte relief without a danger statement. The misconception is that emergency orders are permanent; only the plenary order, which can last up to 2 years and is renewable, provides long-term protection.
Verification and Signature Block
The petition becomes evidence only when you sign and verify it under oath.
Sign on the line marked “Petitioner’s Signature,” print your name beneath, and date it MM/DD/YYYY. The verification language above the signature reads that you certify under penalty of perjury under 735 ILCS 5/1-109 that the statements are true. Marcus signs “Marcus T. Hill,” prints his name, and dates it 03/04/2026. The nuance is that you do not need a notary; the 1-109 verification replaces a notary block. The mistake is signing before re-reading the facts; once verified, false statements can be charged as perjury. The misconception is that you must sign in front of a clerk; you may sign at home before bringing the form in, although many filers sign at the counter.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Aisha Johnson, College Student vs. Classmate
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| County and Court | Champaign County, 6th Judicial Circuit |
| Petitioner Name and Address | AISHA JOHNSON, c/o The Women’s Place advocate, Urbana |
| Respondent Identifiers | KEVIN MATTHEWS, DOB 11/02/2003, dorm 312 Allen Hall, UIUC student |
| Relationship | Classmate, both enrolled in CHEM 102 |
| Minor Children | None |
| Specific Facts | “On 03/15/2026, respondent followed me from the library to my dorm at 1101 W. Peabody, pushed me against the door, and forced non-consensual sexual contact. I reported to UIPD report #2026-0418.” |
| Remedies Requested | No contact, 500-foot stay-away from dorm and chemistry building, no third-party contact, no online contact |
| Emergency Relief | Yes, “advance notice would put me in danger because we share the same dorm” |
| Signature and Date | Aisha Johnson, 03/16/2026 |
Scenario 2: Marcus Hill, Parent Filing for Minor Daughter
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| County and Court | DuPage County, 18th Judicial Circuit |
| Petitioner Name | MARCUS HILL, on behalf of minor S.H., DOB 06/22/2011 |
| Respondent Identifiers | RICHARD COLE, DOB 02/14/1978, neighbor at 415 Maple St., Wheaton |
| Relationship | Neighbor, no household or family tie |
| Minor Children Protected | S.H., daughter of petitioner |
| Specific Facts | “On 02/27/2026, respondent lured S.H. into his garage and engaged in non-consensual sexual contact. S.H. disclosed the same evening; Wheaton PD report #26-1142 filed 02/28/2026. SANE exam at Central DuPage Hospital.” |
| Remedies Requested | No contact, 1,000-foot stay-away from petitioner’s home and S.H.’s middle school, firearm surrender, no third-party contact |
| Emergency Relief | Yes, “respondent lives next door and continues to attempt eye contact through the fence” |
| Signature and Date | Marcus T. Hill, 03/01/2026 |
Scenario 3: Janet Williams, Workplace Assault by Coworker
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| County and Court | Cook County, Domestic Relations Division |
| Petitioner Name and Address | JANET WILLIAMS, c/o YWCA Metropolitan Chicago |
| Respondent Identifiers | DAVID PARK a/k/a Dave Park, DOB 09/03/1995, employed Northwestern University |
| Relationship | Coworker in same office, no dating or household tie |
| Minor Children | None |
| Specific Facts | “On 04/03/2026 at 6:15 p.m. in the supply room at 633 Clark St., respondent grabbed my waist, pushed me against shelving, and forced sexual contact. I escaped and reported to HR and Evanston PD report #26-2204.” |
| Remedies Requested | No contact, 500-foot stay-away from workplace and home, no third-party contact, firearm surrender |
| Emergency Relief | Yes, “we share a building and respondent has access to my floor” |
| Signature and Date | Janet Williams, 04/04/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You can file in person, by e-filing, or by mail in some counties. Each channel has its own steps, and there is no filing fee under 740 ILCS 22/202(b).
In person. Take three copies of the petition, the Confidential Information Form, and the proposed order to the Circuit Clerk’s office. The clerk stamps and assigns a case number, and the same-day emergency hearing usually happens within hours. Keep one stamped copy as proof of filing.
E-filing. Register at Odyssey eFileIL, upload the petition as a PDF, select the case category “Civil No Contact Order”, and mark “no fee” because CNCO petitions are statutorily fee-exempt. Acceptance usually arrives within hours, and the system emails you the file-stamped copy. For emergency relief, call the clerk to flag the e-filing so it gets in front of a judge the same day.
By mail. A few counties accept mailed petitions, but mail is unsuitable for emergencies. If you mail, use certified mail with return receipt and include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the file-stamped copy.
After filing, the county sheriff serves the respondent at no cost. Keep the proof-of-service return; you will need it at the plenary hearing. Save every file-stamped page in a secure cloud folder so you have backups.
What Happens After You File
The clerk schedules an emergency hearing the same day in most counties. The judge reads the petition, may ask short questions under oath, and either grants or denies the emergency CNCO. If granted, the order takes effect immediately and lasts 14 to 21 days under 740 ILCS 22/214 until the plenary hearing.
The sheriff serves the emergency order on the respondent, which is when restrictions become legally enforceable against them. At the plenary hearing, both sides may present evidence and witnesses. The judge can enter a plenary CNCO for up to 2 years, and the order is renewable on motion before it expires. A violation is a Class A misdemeanor on first offense and a Class 4 felony on a second or subsequent violation under 740 ILCS 22/219, which means the respondent can be arrested without a warrant.
The order is entered into the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS), so any officer who runs the respondent’s name in Illinois sees the order. Keep a paper copy with you, give one to your school or workplace security, and store one at home.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Writing your home address on the petition, which becomes public record and reaches the respondent.
- Leaving the respondent’s date of birth or description blank, which causes service to fail.
- Writing minor children’s full names instead of initials, which violates court privacy rules.
- Using vague phrases like “he assaulted me” without dates and places, which leads to denial of emergency relief.
- Forgetting to check the stay-away distance box, which lets the respondent legally stand near you.
- Missing the firearm-surrender box when the respondent owns guns, which leaves a known weapon in their hands.
- Filing a CNCO when the respondent is a household or dating partner, which forces a re-file under 750 ILCS 60.
- Skipping the emergency-relief danger statement, which makes the judge deny ex parte relief.
- Using an outdated form revision, which clerks reject at intake.
- Failing to sign or date the verification block, which voids the petition entirely.
- Forgetting to attach the Confidential Information Form, which delays the case until the next court day.
- Listing the wrong county of venue, which forces a transfer that can delay protection by weeks.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do: – Use a safe substitute address, because protecting your location is part of protecting your safety. – Write incidents in date order, because judges read chronologically. – Bring three copies, because the clerk, sheriff, and you each need one. – Ask for every remedy you may need, because judges only grant what you request. – Save all texts, photos, and reports, because corroboration speeds approval. – Call ICASA at 1-217-753-4117 or RAINN, because trained advocates can attend the hearing with you.
Don’t: – Don’t share your filing plans with the respondent, because warning them increases risk. – Don’t paraphrase or skim the verification, because false statements can be charged as perjury. – Don’t write minor children’s full names, because that breaches confidentiality. – Don’t rely on a process server when the sheriff serves for free. – Don’t miss the plenary hearing, because the case will be dismissed. – Don’t throw away your file-stamped copies, because you need them at the next hearing and to show law enforcement.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se: – No attorney fee saves money for survivors with limited income. – Same-day filing is possible without scheduling an appointment. – The Illinois Supreme Court forms are designed for non-lawyers. – Free help is available through ILAO and Free Legal Answers. – Filing pro se can feel empowering after trauma, because you control the process.
Cons of filing pro se: – You face the respondent or their attorney without legal training. – Evidence rules at the plenary hearing can trip up unrepresented filers. – Drafting the “specific facts” narrative under stress is hard alone. – Cross-examining the respondent without practice can weaken your case. – A poorly checked remedies list can leave gaps a respondent will exploit.
FAQs
Do I need a police report to file a CNCO petition?
No. A police report helps but is not required. Your sworn statement of facts under 735 ILCS 5/1-109 is itself evidence the judge can rely on.
Is there a filing fee for a Civil No Contact Order in Illinois?
No. Illinois law at 740 ILCS 22/202(b) prohibits a filing fee, a service fee, or any other court cost for the petitioner.
Can I file if the respondent is my ex-boyfriend or husband?
No. Use a Petition for Order of Protection under 750 ILCS 60 instead, because dating and household relationships fall under the Domestic Violence Act.
How long does an emergency CNCO last?
No more than 21 days. Under 740 ILCS 22/214, an emergency order lasts 14 to 21 days and bridges to the plenary hearing.
How long does a plenary CNCO last?
Yes, up to 2 years. Plenary orders last a fixed period not to exceed 2 years and are renewable on motion before expiration.
Do I write my real address in the Petitioner Address box?
No. You may use a substitute address such as a rape crisis center, advocate, or attorney, and the Attorney General’s Address Confidentiality Program supports this.
Should I list my child’s full name in the minor children section?
No. Use initials only on the public petition; full names go on the Confidential Information Form, which is not part of the public file.
What do I write if I do not know the respondent’s date of birth?
Yes, write “unknown” and provide the most detailed physical description and last known address you have, so the sheriff can attempt service.
Can I add remedies after the judge signs the order?
No, not at the emergency stage. You must request all remedies in the petition; you can amend before the plenary hearing by motion.
Will the respondent see my petition before the hearing?
Yes, once served. The sheriff serves a copy with the emergency order, so anything you wrote becomes known to the respondent at service.
Do I need to be present at the plenary hearing?
Yes. If you do not appear, the judge will dismiss the case and the order will not be extended.
Can a rape crisis advocate file the petition for me?
Yes. Under 740 ILCS 22/201, an advocate, parent, guardian, or attorney may file on behalf of a survivor who cannot file alone, and ICASA centers offer this service statewide.
What happens if the respondent violates the order?
Yes, they can be arrested. A first violation is a Class A misdemeanor and a second or subsequent violation is a Class 4 felony under 740 ILCS 22/219.
Can I file in any county in Illinois?
Yes, in the county where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse happened, per 740 ILCS 22/202.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Illinois Emergency Order of Protection + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (No Children) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Order of Protection + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Stalking No Contact Order + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Plenary Order of Protection (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form DV-100 (w/Examples) + FAQs