HB1073 EngrossedLRB097 05786 RLC 45854 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 1961 is amended by adding
5Section 12-7.7 as follows:
 
6    (720 ILCS 5/12-7.7 new)
7    Sec. 12-7.7. Perpetual harassment.
8    (a) A person commits perpetual harassment when he or she
9purposely and repeatedly harasses another person or follows
10another person with the intent of harassing that person.
11    (b) Sentence. Perpetual harassment is a Class A
12misdemeanor. A second or subsequent conviction for perpetual
13harassment is a Class 4 felony if the offense was committed
14against the same victim.
15    (c) For the purposes of this Section, "harass" means to
16engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific person
17that serves no legitimate purpose, that would cause a
18reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress,
19and that actually causes substantial emotional distress to that
20person; and "substantial emotional distress" means significant
21mental suffering, anxiety, or alarm.
22    (d) Perpetual harassment does not include an exercise of
23the right to free speech or assembly that is otherwise lawful

 

 

HB1073 Engrossed- 2 -LRB097 05786 RLC 45854 b

1or picketing occurring at the workplace that is otherwise
2lawful and arises out of a bona fide labor dispute, including
3any controversy concerning wages, salaries, hours, working
4conditions or benefits, including health and welfare, sick
5leave, insurance, and pension or retirement provisions, the
6making or maintaining of collective bargaining agreements, and
7the terms to be included in those agreements.