720 ILCS 5/29D-14.9 – Terrorism
This law makes it illegal to commit or cause terrorist acts meant to scare or pressure many people.
This law says that anyone who does something violent or dangerous to frighten a large group of people can be charged with terrorism. The punishment is very serious and can include life in prison, especially if someone dies from the act.
(a) A person commits terrorism when they mean to scare or control many people and:
- They knowingly do a terrorist act inside Illinois; or
- They do a terrorist act outside Illinois that still causes harm or serious effects in Illinois.
(b) Sentence: Terrorism is a very serious crime called a Class X felony. If no one dies, the person can be sent to prison for 20 years to life. If one or more people die, and the person committing the crime is 18 or older, they must go to prison for life (unless the death penalty is used). If the person is under 18, the sentence follows special youth sentencing rules.
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