(a) The Illinois State Police or the State’s Attorney or any citizen of the county in which a nuisance exists may file a complaint in the name of the People of the State of Illinois to enjoin all persons from maintaining or permitting such nuisance, to abate the same and to enjoin the use of any such place for the period of one year.
     (b) Upon the filing of a complaint by the State’s Attorney or the Illinois State Police in which the complaint states that irreparable injury, loss or damage will result to the People of the State of Illinois, the court shall enter a temporary restraining order without notice enjoining the maintenance of such nuisance, upon testimony under oath, affidavit, or verified complaint containing facts sufficient, if sustained, to justify the court in entering a preliminary injunction upon a hearing after notice. Every such temporary restraining order entered without notice shall be endorsed with the date and hour of entry of the order, shall be filed of record, and shall expire by its terms within such time after entry, not to exceed 10 days as fixed by the court, unless the temporary restraining order, for good cause, is extended for a like period or unless the party against whom the order is directed consents that it may be extended for a longer period. The reason for extension shall be shown in the order. In case a temporary restraining order is entered without notice, the motion for a permanent injunction shall be set down for hearing at the earliest possible time and takes precedence over all matters except older matters of the same character, and when the motion comes on for hearing, the Illinois State Police or State’s Attorney, as the case may be, shall proceed with the application for a permanent injunction, and, if he does not do so, the court shall dissolve the temporary restraining order. On 2 days’ notice to the Illinois State Police or State’s Attorney, as the case may be, the defendant may appear and move the dissolution or modification of such temporary restraining order and in that event the court shall proceed to hear and determine such motion as expeditiously as the ends of justice require.

Have a question?
Click here to chat with a criminal defense lawyer and protect your rights.

Terms Used In Illinois Compiled Statutes 740 ILCS 40/3

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • State: when applied to different parts of the United States, may be construed to include the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" may be construed to include the said district and territories. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.14
  • Temporary restraining order: Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.

     (c) Upon the filing of the complaint by a citizen or the Illinois State Police or the State’s Attorney (in cases in which the Illinois State Police or State’s Attorney does not request injunctive relief without notice) in the circuit court, the court, if satisfied that the nuisance complained of exists, shall allow a temporary restraining order, with bond unless the application is filed by the Illinois State Police or State’s Attorney, in such amount as the court may determine, enjoining the defendant from maintaining any such nuisance within the jurisdiction of the court granting the injunctive relief. However, no such injunctive relief shall be granted, except on behalf of an owner or agent, unless it be made to appear to the satisfaction of the court that the owner or agent of such place knew or had been personally served with a notice signed by the plaintiff and that such notice has been served upon such owner or such agent of such place at least 5 days prior thereto, that such place, specifically describing the same, was being so used, naming the date or dates of its being so used, and that such owner or agent had failed to abate such nuisance, or that upon diligent inquiry such owner or agent could not be found for the service of such preliminary notice. The lessee, if any, of such place shall be made a party defendant to such petition. If the property owner is a corporation and the Illinois State Police or the State’s Attorney sends the preliminary notice to the corporate address registered with the Secretary of State, such action shall create a rebuttable presumption that the parties have acted with due diligence and the court may grant injunctive relief.
     (d) In all cases in which the complaint is filed by a citizen, such complaint shall be verified.