720 ILCS 5/19-2 – Possession of Burglary Tools
This law makes it illegal to have tools or devices meant for breaking into places or cars to steal or commit a crime.
This law says it’s against the law to have tools or gadgets that can be used to break into buildings, vehicles, or other property if someone plans to commit theft or another serious crime. It also includes special devices that can unlock or start cars without a key.
(a) A person breaks this law if they have any key, tool, device, or explosive that could be used to break into a building, trailer, boat, airplane, car, train car, or safe–if they plan to go inside and commit a theft or other serious crime. If someone has a “bump key,” which is a special key used to unlock locks without the real key, it can be used as proof that they meant to steal (But this rule does not apply to police officers, law enforcement workers, or licensed locksmiths). “Lock bumping” means opening a lock using a bump key.
(a-5) A person also breaks this law if they knowingly have a device meant to get into or start someone else’s car without permission and with the intent to steal or commit another serious crime. These devices include:
- A device made to unlock or start a car without using the car’s real key.
- A device that can copy or capture the signal from a car’s key fob to unlock or start the car without the real key.
(b) Sentence: Breaking this law is a Class 4 felony, which means it is a serious crime that can lead to jail time and other penalties.
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