What will the police do if I runaway in Illinois?

[Guest]

I’m 17 and I live in Illinois I’ve read in here that you guys could call the local law enforcement for me to see what they would do if I ran away because I need that I physically can’t call them and I can’t live with my parents anymore they are nonstop fighting and I have a safe place to live if I leave I have two jobs at the moment and I can still get to and from school i got money saved up I just need to know what the cops would do if I ran away today

[ccsmod13]

Hi there,

Thank you for taking the time to write us a post on our bulletin. From what you shared, it sounds like staying at home has been incredibly stressful and you want to move out. Leaving can be a big decision to make, and we want you to know we are here as a support for you as you take your next steps.

While there is not a universal way that police respond to these types of situations we do have some general knowledge we can share with you. Your parents are your legal guardians until you turn 18, so they can decide where you live. If you do choose to leave without permission, your parents can report you as a runaway to the police. Running away is not illegal, but it is a status offense. This means that if your parents know where you are staying then they can have the police return you home. In some cases, police do not pursue runaway reports as strictly for individuals who are close to turning 18 but this can be on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions for your local police department, we can help you call to ask if you call our hotline at 1-800-786-2929 or use our live-chat services at www.1800runaway.org.

If you would like to talk more about your situation in-depth and explore your options, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by phone or live chat any time. We are available 24/7 to listen and help.

We wish you the best,
NRS