IL bill to expand what constitutes stalking unanimously passes the House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill to expand what is considered stalking in state law passed unanimously out of the House.

Under the plan, a victim can more easily obtain a Stalking No Contact Order if the victim feels under emotional distress.

This emotional distress could include the stalker making repeated phone calls or unwanted visits to their home or workplace. State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview) said this plan would not impact Illinoisan First Amendment rights.

"This fills a gap in existing law," Gong-Gershowitz said. "Currently there is no clear order of protection on the basis of harassment. It does include expressed free speech protections [and] there is no opposition."

Now that the bill passed unanimously on a 106-0 vote, the proposal will head to the Senate floor for further debate.