STREET HARASSMENT: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Example: The defendant exposed himself to 12-year-old girl and attempted to corner her against a building while in an area illuminated by street lights.39 MUNICIPAL CODE OF CHICAGO: 8-8-080 INDECENT EXPOSURE OR DRESS
Any person who shall appear, bathe, sunbathe, walk or be in any public park, playground, beach or the waters adjacent thereto, or any school facility and the area adjacent thereto, or any municipal building and the areas adjacent thereto, or any public way within the City of Chicago in such a manner that the genitals, vulva, pubis, pubic hair, buttocks, perineum, anus, anal region, or pubic hair region of any person, or any portion of the breast at or below the upper edge of the areola thereof of any female person, is exposed to public view or is not covered by an opaque covering, shall be fined not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00 for each offense. LEVEL OF SERIOUSNESS OF OFFENSE:
Violators of this Section will be fined not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00 for each offense. 3 HOW SHOULD HARASSMENT BE REPORTED? e.g. to local police, specific hotlines or other dedicated anti-harassment resources The most applicable laws to street harassment in Chicago are likely the ILLINOIS CRIMINAL CODE PROVISIONS ON STALKING . Thus, street harassment meeting the statutory definition of stalking should be reported as follows. According to the Domestic Violence Division of the Cook County State Attorney’s Office, stalking should be immediately reported to the police. Specifically, the office recommends that victims tell the police exactly what happened and give them the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of anyone who heard or saw the person threaten, follow, or watch you. If the elements of the crime of stalking appear to be present, the police will refer the case to the State’s Attorney’s Office for prosecution. If the elements of stalking are not present, the police will consider whether different charges might be brought. In any event, ask the police to make a report for future reference. Stalking victims may also be provided with information and resources to help keep them safe by calling the Domestic Violence Division at 312-325-9220. Other questions may be directed to the State’s Attorney’s Victim/Witness Assistance Unit at 312 869-7200 or to victim witness personnel at the closest suburban courthouse. Irrespective of whether the conduct is stalking, incidents of street harassment should be reported to the police.
39 People v. Mikota, 273 N.E.2d 618 (Ill. App. Ct. 1971).
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