Sen. Ellman backs SB3044 to define protective order timelines

Sen. Laura Ellman (D-21st) cast a Yes vote for SB3044, which clarifies the timelines for protective orders, during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026, according to the Illinois Senate. The bill was approved unanimously in a 57-0 Senate vote.

The bill's summary states: "DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ORDER-EFFECT."

This breakdown is based on the actual text of SB3044 and may involve interpretation to provide clarity on its measures.

The legislation updates the Stalking No Contact Order Act, the Civil No Contact Order Act, and the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 to clarify the duration of emergency protective orders. Specifically, when a plenary stalking no contact order, civil no contact order, or order of protection is issued, the emergency order stays in effect until the respondent receives either the plenary order or a valid short form notification. This aims to prevent lapses in protection when service of longer-term orders is delayed.

The legislative action recorded for SB3044 was 'House Floor Amendment No. 1 Senate Concurs.'

Ellman earned her BS from Grinnell College in 1987.

A Democrat, Ellman was elected in 2019 to represent the 21st Senate District of Illinois, following Michael Connelly’s tenure.

Illinois bills must pass through a multi-step legislative process that involves introduction in one chamber, committee evaluation, floor debates, and approval in both chambers prior to the governor's decision. Meeting biennially, the General Assembly considers thousands of proposed bills each session, although only a select number are enacted into law.