Illinois Criminal Laws

Jump to a Chapter:

• Chapter 720 ILSC 5/8 – Inchoate Offenses: This covers situations where someone attempted to commit another crime, whether or not they were successful. This includes asking someone to commit a crime like murder or participating in a conspiracy.
• Chapter 720 ILSC 5/9 – Homicide Offenses: This goes over instances where one person takes another’s life, or attempts to hide a death. This includes murder, reckless homicide, and related offences.
• Chapter 720 ILSC 5/10 – Kidnapping and Related Offenses: This chapter covers laws including kidnapping, restraining individuals, and helping children run away from home. If it involves children, it often will have its own statute.
• Chapter 720 ILSC 5/11 – Sex Offenses: This chapter covers many types of illegal sexual acts in Illinois. Many of these crimes hinge on issues of consent. Breaking these laws is often a felony.
• Chapter 720 ILSC 5/12 – Bodily Harm: These laws cover both threats and actual harm caused to other people. The harm does not need to be intentional to violate several of these laws.
• Chapter 720 ILSC 5/17 – Deception and Fraud: This chapter covers several crimes where people lie about themselves and what they are doing. Several of these laws are closely related to theft. .
• Chapter 720 ILSC 5/18 – Robbery: This section discusses acts where one person takes another’s property. Robbery specifically requires that the alleged offender use force in the process.
• Chapter 720 ILSC 5/19 – Burglary: This chapter covers acts of theft where the victim is typically not present for the alleged crime. It also makes it illegal to own tools that are intended to commit burglary.
• Chapter 720 ILSC 5/20 – Arson: This section sets laws regarding fires and explosives. It makes it illegal to damage others’ property by burning it.
• Chapter 720 ILSC 5/21 – Damage and Trespass to Property: This section describes regulations related to property. Specifically, it stops people from harming someone else’s property or visiting where they’re not allowed.
• Chapter 720 ILSC 5/21.1 – Residential Picketing: This chapter is exclusively dedicated to residential picketing. It makes it illegal to protest outside of someone’s home in a way that disturbs their peace.
• Chapter 720 ILSC 5/21.2 – Interference With a Public Institution of Education: This section makes it a crime to take actions that prevent public schools from operating as intended. This includes trespassing, refusing to leave, and other disruptive acts against students or staff.
• Chapter 720 ILCS 150 – Wrongs to Children Act: This chapter makes it a crime to exploit your children. It specifically looks at situations where a parent or guardian uses a child for financial gain.