720 ILCS 5/17-2(b)(2) – False Representation as a Public Officer or Employee (or Federal Official)

720 ILCS 5/17-2(b)(2) – False Representation as a Public Officer or Employee (or Federal Official)

This law makes it illegal to pretend you’re someone you’re not – specifically a government employee.

This Illinois law says that people cannot pretend to be goverment employees. This is a serious crime on its own, but doing so while attempting to commit a crime is a felony, which is even more serious.

(b) False personation of public officials or employees. This happens when someone pretends to be a government worker, police officer, firefighter, or other official.

2. Pretending to be a public officer or government employee.
   • 2.3: Pretending to be a public officer or government employee while committing a felony.
   • 2.7: Pretending to be a government worker to commit identity theft.

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

1. Sentence: A violation of subsection (b)(2) is a Class A misdemeanor.
2. Sentence: A violation of subsections (b)(2.3) or (b)(2.7) is a Class 4 felony.

(b-5) The court can assume someone was pretending to be a public employee or officer if:

1. That person wears or displays official uniforms or badges, without being a part of that organization, or
2. Falsely claims to have government authority.

View the full statute here.

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