A Neighbor Stole My Cat! What Are My Options?

Location: Chicago, Illinois

My cat likes to nap on the front porch (outdoors. Not an enclosure) and occasionally will patrol the perimeter but not often.

She went missing midday and it took 6 hours for her tracker in her collar to update me with her new location. I found her 3 blocks away in an unknown neighbor's house. I followed the tracker there and then identified her visually through a front window on the porch.

No one would come to the door upon ringing the bell so I presumed no one was home. A group of neighbors across the street offered to help after about 10 minutes. Someone came over and knocked for me. A woman answered and proceeded to sheepishly admit that she had taken the cat because she didn't feel the cat should have been outside and she was concerned that it had escaped.

When I questioned why she had removed the cat's collar, she said it was so she could read it. I asked why she hadn't contacted the number on her tag and she said it was because she didn't want to deal with a hostile person. I should add that the tag not only has my number on it (which had no missed calls or texts) but also the words "INDOOR OUTDOOR CAT".

It took another good minute to get her to open the door and give me the the cat and collar back. I accused her of stealing and told her she had no right to do what she did. I thanked the neighbors, introduced them to my cat, said my goodbyes, and walked home.

I'm deeply upset and concerned for my cat's safety. Though she is staying inside so that should help. Do I have any legal options here regarding punitive or protective measures?

I don't know if this is important but the neighbors mentioned that she volunteers at a local well known cat shelter. I have concerns that she may have intended to relinquish my cat there, may do it again, or has done it to others before.

Any advice would be much appreciated.