720 ILCS 5/26-1(a)(6) – Disorderly Conduct – False 911 Call
This law makes it a serious crime to call or text 911 with fake information that could cause an emergency response.
This statute says a person cannot send a false message to 911 or any public safety agency knowing it isn’t true and knowing it might make police, firefighters, or ambulances respond. Doing this is a Class 4 felony and can lead to fines, community service, and paying for the cost of the emergency response.
(a)(6) A person breaks this law if they call or text 911, or send a message in any way to a public safety agency, to make a false alarm or complaint, knowing it’s not true and knowing it could cause an emergency response by police, fire, or ambulance services.
(b) Sentence: Breaking subsection (a)(6) is a Class 4 felony, which is a serious crime.
(c) In addition to any other punishment, the person must do between 30 and 120 hours of community service if the program is available and approved by the county. This doesn’t apply if the person is sent to jail.
(e) In addition to other punishments, anyone found guilty of making a false 911 call under subsection (a)(6) can be ordered to pay back the public agency for the cost of the emergency response, up to $10,000. This only applies if the person can afford to pay; if they can’t, this rule doesn’t apply.
(f) The term “emergency response” means any situation that causes emergency workers such as police, firefighters, or ambulance workers to respond, or that could put public safety at risk and lead to people being evacuated from a place.
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