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720 ILCS 5/11-30 – Public Indecency

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Posted by Christopher Combs on April 1, 2026

720 ILCS 5/11-30 – Public Indecency

This law says it is illegal for someone 17 or older to do sexual acts or expose their body in a sexual way in public.

This law makes it a crime for people 17 and older to act in a sexual way or show private parts in public with the intent to arouse themselves or others. Breast-feeding is not against this law. The punishment can increase for repeat offenses or if it happens near a school.

(a) A person 17 or older commits public indecency if they do any of these acts in a public place:

  1. Do any sexual act or touching meant for sexual pleasure or arousal.
  2. Show private body parts in a sexual or lewd way to please themselves or attract someone else sexually.

Breast-feeding a baby is not considered public indecency.

(b) “Public place” means anywhere someone could reasonably expect others to see what is happening.

(c) Sentence: Public indecency is normally a Class A misdemeanor. It becomes a Class 4 felony if the person:

  1. Has been convicted of public indecency two or more times before, or
  2. Is 18 or older and commits the act on or within 500 feet of school grounds while children are present.

View the full statute here.

Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Southern Illinois criminal defense lawyer.

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