720 ILCS 5/26-1(a)(12) – Disorderly Conduct – Telephone Harassment by a Collection Agency
This law says collection agencies cannot make phone calls meant to scare, bother, or upset someone when trying to collect money.
If a debt collector calls someone to annoy or frighten them about a debt, that is considered disorderly conduct. The business can be fined up to $3,000 for doing this.
(a) A person commits disorderly conduct if they knowingly do something under this section.
- If someone is working for or as a collection agency and tries to collect money by making a phone call meant to harass, annoy, or scare the person who owes money, they are committing disorderly conduct.
(b) Sentence: Breaking this rule in subsection (a)(12) is a business offense. The fine can be up to $3,000.
(c) In addition to other punishments, courts can require people found guilty of disorderly conduct to do community service for at least 30 hours and up to 120 hours, if the program exists and is approved by the county. This rule does not apply if the person is sent to jail.
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