Domestic violence is a crime. Any person who hits, chokes, kicks, threatens, harasses, or interferes with the personal liberty of another family or household member has broken Illinois Domestic Violence law. Under Illinois law family or household members are defined as
- family members related by blood;
- people who are married or used to be married;
- people who share or used to share a home, apartment, or other common dwelling;
- people who have or allegedly have child in common or a blood relationship through a child in common;
- people who are dating or engaged or used to date, including same sex couples; and
- people with disabilities and their personal assistants.