Emergency Order Of Protection

An Emergency Order of Protection (EOP) is a court order that protects its holder - called the petitioner- from harm by a person named in the order - called the respondent. An EOP takes effect as soon as the judge approves it.

Because of risk of harm, the law does not require the respondent to know about the hearing. This is known as an 'ex parte' hearing.

Because of this, an Emergency Order only lasts for 14 to 21 days. When it issues an EOP, the court sets a hearing date for a Plenary Order.

Parental Rights Of Nonbiological Mother

The Illinois appeals court has ruled a woman whose former wife had a baby through artificial insemination has parental rights to the child even though they are not biologically related.  The ruling also applies to opposite sex parents.