§ 720 ILCS 5/17-2(a) – Impersonating a Member of Police, Fraternal, or Veteran Group

720 ILCS 5/17-2(a) – Impersonating a Member of Police, Fraternal, or Veteran Group

This law makes it illegal to pretend to be a member of a police group, veterans group, or similar group.

This law from Illinois says people cannot pretend to be others, such as a member of the police department or a veterans support group. It specifically makes it illegal to falsely ask for donations on behalf of one of these groups.

(a) False personation; solicitation. Someone commits this offense when they knowingly pretend to be part of an organization or are a person that they are not.

Pretending to be a member or representative of a veterans’, charity, or public safety group, or using their decals, badges, or symbols without permission.
Claiming to be a veteran to get a job or a public position.
- 2.1: A person can also break this law by:
  1. Pretending to be an active-duty military member or veteran, and
  2. Doing so to get money, property, or benefits.
- 2.5: A person can also break this law by:
  1. Pretending to be another real person to threaten, cheat, harm, or gain something from someone.
  2. Pretending to be an organization’s representative to harm, cheat, or gain something from someone.
Using words like “Police,” “Officer,” “Sheriff,” or similar titles in a group’s name or material without written approval from that group or government agency.
Asking for donations or selling items while pretending to act on behalf of police, fire, or other emergency groups without a written agreement that explains where the money goes.
Asking for donations and saying they represent a law enforcement group unless:
1. They are actually acting on behalf of the organization, and
2. The group is not a part of the government, but is run by former and current police officers, and
3. The person has written permission from the group that states where the money will go.
Asking for donations and saying they represent a firefighting or emergency worker group, unless:
1. They are actually acting on behalf of the organization, and
2. The group is not a part of the government, but is run by former and current firefighters or emergency workers, and
3. The person has written permission from the group that states where the money will go.

(f) Sentence: The punishment depends on which specific subsection of this Section was violated.

Sentence: A violation of subsection (a)(2.1) is a petty offense. Violating subsection (a)(8) is also a petty offense, and each day the violation continues counts as a separate petty offense.
Sentence: A violation of subsections (a)(1) or (a)(3) is a Class C misdemeanor.
Sentence: A violation of subsections (a)(2) or (a)(2.5) is a Class A misdemeanor.
Sentence: A violation of subsections (a)(4), (a)(5) or (a)(6) is a Class 4 felony.

View the full statute here.