Restraining Orders

You can file a motion to request that the judge modify (change) an emergency or plenary civil no contact order.¹ However, once 30 days have passed since the judge issued you a plenary no contact order, the judge can only change the order if there has been a change in the law or the facts of your case, which causes the judge to believe that there should be a change of the terms of your order.²

The only time that the abuser can file to change an order is once the abuser is served with your emergency ex parte no contact order. The abuser can file a petition to request that the judge reopen the case and reconsider the petition based on the facts that:

• the abuser did not receive prior notice of the initial hearing where the emergency ex parte order was entered; and
• the abuser had a valid defense that would have prevented the judge from issuing the order or any of the relief issued in the order.³

If the abuser files this type of request, s/he only has to provide you with two days’ notice of the court hearing where the request will be decided by the judge.<sup>3

1</sup> 740 ILCS 22/218.5(a)
² 740 ILCS 22/218.5(b)
³ 740 ILCS 22/218.5(c)