103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5859
 
Introduced 11/12/2024, by Rep. John M. Cabello
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
720 ILCS 5/26-8 new
    Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that it is unlawful for a person, after receiving a warning not to approach from a first responder who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, to violate the warning and approach or remain within 14 feet of the first responder with the intent to: (1) interrupt, disrupt, hinder, impede, or interfere with the first responder's ability to perform the first responder's duty; (2) threaten the first responder with physical harm; or (3) harass the first responder by interfering with the first responder performing the first responder's duty. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor. Defines "first responder" and "harass".


LRB103 39981 RLC 71202 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 
HB5859LRB103 39981 RLC 71202 b

1    AN ACT concerning criminal law.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Criminal Code of 2012 is amended by adding 
5Section 26-8 as follows:
 
6    (720 ILCS 5/26-8 new)
7    Sec. 26-8. Approaching a first responder after a warning 
8with intent to impede, threaten, or harass. 
9    (a) In this Section:
10        (1) "First responder" includes a peace officer, a 
11    firefighter, or an emergency medical technician.
12        (2) "Harass" means to engage in a course of conduct 
13    directed at a first responder which causes substantial 
14    emotional distress in that first responder.
15    (b) It is unlawful for a person, after receiving a warning 
16not to approach from a first responder who is engaged in the 
17lawful performance of a legal duty, to violate the warning and 
18approach or remain within 14 feet of the first responder with 
19the intent to:
20        (1) interrupt, disrupt, hinder, impede, or interfere 
21    with the first responder's ability to perform the first 
22    responder's duty;
23        (2) threaten the first responder with physical harm; 
 
 
HB5859- 2 -LRB103 39981 RLC 71202 b

1    or
2        (3) harass the first responder by interfering with the 
3    first responder performing the first responder's duty.
4    (c) Sentence. A person who violates this Section commits a 
5Class A misdemeanor.