Class X Felonies

What is a Class X felony in Illinois?

May 3, 2021
Thumbnail image for What is a Class X felony in Illinois?

NOTE: This article includes refreshed content to account for updates to Illinois law since passage of Public Act 101-223. After an effective date of January 1, 2020, this Act adjusted and reclassified the Illinois legal approach to aggravated battery offenses (720 ILCS 5/12-3.05). The Class X felony is, short of first-degree murder, the most serious […]

Read the full article

Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault in Illinois: 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40

October 22, 2020
Thumbnail image for Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault in Illinois: 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40

What is the Illinois Crime of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault? Predatory criminal sexual assault is an Illinois sex crime that involves child victims under the age of 13 years old. The perpetrator in these situations is normally an adult, though 17-year-old teenagers can commit this crime also. Predatory criminal sexual assault can occur without or […]

Read the full article

Illinois Inmate Early Release

July 17, 2020
Thumbnail image for Illinois Inmate Early Release

NOTE: This page contains new materials to account for updates to Illinois law after passage of Public Act 101-440. After January 1, 2020, this Act modified several provisions of 730 ILCS 5/3-6-3, including guidelines for sentencing credits earned toward early release. There was a time in Illinois when inmates could get released from state prison […]

Read the full article

Dissemination of Child Pornography in Illinois

April 24, 2018
Thumbnail image for Dissemination of Child Pornography in Illinois

Illinois imposes strict penalties for child pornography crimes. The penalties range from probationable felonies to non-probationable Class X felonies with consecutive sentencing. Illinois employs a broad definition of child pornography, including traditional and electronic media. Specifically, the law mentions film, tape, and photograph as well as other visual depictions in electronic format. In order to […]

Read the full article

Penalties for Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault in Illinois

January 15, 2018
Thumbnail image for Penalties for Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault in Illinois

NOTE: The following materials received an update to account for changes to Illinois law after the passage of Public Act 101-130. After this Act took effect on January 1, 2020, Illinois removed the statute of limitations for the prosecution of sexual assault crimes. Illinois law under 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40 defines predatory criminal sexual assault and […]

Read the full article

Felons not required to disclose criminal convictions on Illinois government job applications

October 13, 2013
Thumbnail image for Felons not required to disclose criminal convictions on Illinois government job applications

In an unprecedented move, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has issued an order that allows applicants for state government jobs to apply without having to disclose felony convictions. Governor Quinn calls it an order to ‘Ban the Box,’ referring to the box job applicants have to check to disclose convictions. The administrative order, issued October 3, […]

Read the full article

Criminal conviction can result in deportation, even for permanent residents

July 1, 2013
Thumbnail image for Criminal conviction can result in deportation, even for permanent residents

NOTE: This page was refreshed to explain changes to Illinois law under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. When this Act became state law on January 1, 2020, Illinois officially legalized the recreational possession and use of cannabis as well as modified numerous cannabis-related crimes. The impact of a criminal conviction can be long-lasting and […]

Read the full article

Illinois Theft Laws: Elements of the Offense and Penalties

June 11, 2012
Thumbnail image for Illinois Theft Laws: Elements of the Offense and Penalties

Note: This article has been updated and republished as of 2020. The offense of theft under Illinois law is misunderstood. Many people think that because it is not a violent offense, and in some cases, it has no discernible victim, it is not a serious offense. This thinking is wrong. Theft can result in a jail […]

Read the full article

Statistics show increase in felony charges across state of Illinois

May 29, 2011
Thumbnail image for Statistics show increase in felony charges across state of Illinois

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has been tracking felony and misdemeanor filings in state courts throughout Illinois over the years, and their findings may surprise you. The findings come as no surprise, however, to attorneys and judges handling these caseloads. The studies prove that, on average, prosecutors are seeking stiffer penalties more than ever. […]

Read the full article

What are the penalties in Illinois for being charged with possession of cannabis with intent to deliver?

March 5, 2010
Thumbnail image for What are the penalties in Illinois for being charged with possession of cannabis with intent to deliver?

The law that makes it a criminal offense in the state of Illinois to possess cannabis (e.g., marijuana) with intent to deliver is the Illinois Cannabis Control Act, found at 720 ILCS 550/1 et seq. Section 550/5 provides that it is illegal to manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to deliver cannabis. To manufacture is […]

Read the full article

Next Entries →