720 ILCS 5/31-7 – Aiding Escape
This law makes it a crime to help someone escape from jail, police custody, or another place they’re not allowed to leave.
This Illinois law says it is illegal to help a prisoner or detained person escape. The seriousness of the crime depends on what kind of offense the person committed and who is helping them.
(a) If someone tries to help a prisoner escape by bringing or giving them something that could help them get away, that person commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(b) If someone helps a person who has been convicted of or charged with a felony escape from jail or official custody, that person commits a Class 2 felony.
However, if they help that person avoid coming back from a temporary leave program (like work release), they commit a Class 3 felony.
(c) If someone helps a person convicted of or charged with a misdemeanor escape from jail or custody, that person commits a Class A misdemeanor.
However, if they help that person avoid returning from a temporary leave program, it becomes a Class B misdemeanor.
(d) Helping someone escape from a public institution that is not a jail or prison is a Class A misdemeanor.
(e) If someone helps a person in police custody for a felony charge escape, it is a Class 2 felony.
If they help someone in police custody for a misdemeanor escape, it is a Class A misdemeanor.
(f) If a prison officer or employee carelessly lets a prisoner escape, that officer commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(f-5) If someone helps a person escape who is being held for breaking probation or parole rules related to a felony, it is a Class 2 felony.
(f-6) If someone helps a person escape who is being held for breaking supervision or probation rules related to a misdemeanor, it is a Class A misdemeanor.
(g) If a person helps someone escape while carrying a dangerous weapon, it is a Class 2 felony.
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