720 ILCS 5/18-2 – Armed Robbery
This law says that a person commits armed robbery if they rob someone and have or use a weapon.
If someone robs another person while carrying or using a dangerous weapon or firearm, they can be charged with armed robbery. The punishment depends on what kind of weapon is used and if anyone is hurt.
(a) A person commits armed robbery when they commit robbery (as described in Section 18-1) and one of the following happens:
- The person has a dangerous weapon, but not a gun.
- The person has a gun while committing the robbery.
- The person fires a gun during the robbery.
- The person fires a gun during the robbery, and someone is seriously hurt, permanently disabled, permanently disfigured, or killed.
(b) Sentence: The punishments for armed robbery are very serious:
- If the person has a dangerous weapon (not a gun), it’s a Class X felony.
- If the person has a gun, it’s a Class X felony plus 15 extra years in prison.
- If the person fires the gun, it’s a Class X felony plus 20 extra years in prison.
- If the person fires the gun and someone is badly hurt or killed, it’s a Class X felony plus 25 years or even up to life in prison.
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