720 ILCS 5/12-6.4 – Criminal Street Gang Recruitment on School Grounds or Public Property Adjacent to School Grounds and Criminal Street Gang Recruitment of a Minor
This law makes it illegal to try to get someone, especially a minor, to join a gang by threatening them on or near school property or through the internet or phone.
This statute says that it is a serious crime to use threats or intimidation to make someone join or stay in a street gang, especially on school property or when the person is under 18. Breaking this law is considered a Class 1 felony, which is a very serious offense.
(a) A person breaks this law if they use or threaten physical force to make someone join or stay in a gang while on school property or public areas next to a school. This includes working with others to plan or carry out this type of threat.
(a-5) It is also illegal to use or threaten physical force to pressure someone–especially a minor–to join or stay in a gang, even if the threat is sent online or through a phone.
(b) Sentence: Doing this on or near school grounds or to a minor is a Class 1 felony, which can result in a long prison sentence.
(c) Definitions:
- “School grounds” means any part of a public or private school’s buildings or property, including schoolyards, fields, and playgrounds, from elementary through college levels.
- “Minor” means anyone under 18 years old.
- “Internet” means any online service or system that connects multiple users, such as websites, chat rooms, message boards, or email systems.
- “Telecommunications device” means any phone or device that can send or receive calls, texts, voice, or data, including cell phones and pagers.
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