103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5859

 

Introduced , 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.