Legal Question in Criminal Law in Illinois

Death Threats

I have a family member (brother) who has repeatedly made threats to kill my parents. He calls them on the phone all the time and harasses them. He has followed my father and harassed him in person. This has been going on for about 2 months now. He is doing this b/c he feels my parent's owe him money.

He has never been formally diagnosed with a mental illness but it's obvious he's mentally ill.

We have called the police several times and they say there is nothing they can do. They said it's not illegeal in Illinois to threaten someone. They say he really hasn't done anything illegeal YET.

We have discussed an order of protection but I'm afraid this would make the situation worse. The police have taken reports but nothing has ever been submitted to the State's Attorney's Office. The police know he has multiple guns in his home. He is a convicted felon and does have his FOID card. The police say he's not a ''threat'' at this point.

What are our options at this point? It doesn't seem quit fair my parent's have to put up with this behavior and be afraid in their own home.


Asked on 2/23/09, 4:20 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
James Waller Johnson Law Group

Re: Death Threats

An Order of Protection is your best move, and we recommend pursuing one as quickly as possible. As soon as the Order is entered, the police will be forced to act if any violation occurs...any contact, threats, etc. Also, he will not be able to keep his guns and his FOID card will be suspended.

We do a lot of work with Orders of Protection. What county are you in?

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Answered on 2/23/09, 4:52 pm


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