Illinois Crimes by Class and Sentences

December 21, 2024 Criminal Records Search

The Felony Illinois Handbook is a free resource for anyone seeking information about felony crimes and penalties in the State of Illinois.

Class X Felony Illinois - Up to 30 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000

Class 1 Felony Illinois - Up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000

Class 2 Felony Illinois - Up to 7 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000

Class 3 Felony Illinois - Up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000

Class 4 Felony Illinois - Up to 3 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000

Class X felonies include:
firing a gun while committing aggravated battery committing a felony (except for certain especially serious crimes) while armed with a gun, stun gun, or taser home invasion while armed with a dangerous weapon, and participating in the manufacture of 15 or more grams of meth. (720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/12-3.05, 5/19-6, 5/33A-1, 5/33A-2, 5/33A-3, 646-16 (2020).)

Class 1 Felonies
In general, Illinois law sets the prison sentence for Class 1 felonies at between four and 15 years (or 15 to 30 years for an extended term), plus two years of mandatory supervision. Unless the defendant committed the crime while serving probation for a previous felony, judges may impose a sentence of probation or conditional discharge for up to four years. (730 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/5-4.5-30 (2020).)
Some examples of Class 1 felonies:
burglary of a residence, school, or place of worship criminal sexual assault (for instance, using force or when the victim can't consent), and second-degree murder. (720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/9-2, 5/11-1.20, 5/19-1, 5/19-3 (2020).)

Class 2 Felonies
Prison sentences for Class 2 felonies in Illinois are generally between three and seven years (or between seven and 14 years for an extended term), plus up to two years of mandatory supervised release. The judge may impose a sentence of periodic imprisonment (between 18 and 30 months) or up to four years of probation or conditional release. (730 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/5-4.5-35 (2020).)

Class 2 felonies include:
aggravated domestic battery (causing severe injury or involving strangulation) robbery, and unlawful purchase (or attempted purchase) of a firearm. (720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/12-3/3, 5/18-1, 5/24-3.5 (2020).)

Class 3 Felonies
Class 3 felonies generally carry a potential prison sentence of between two and five years (or an extended term between five and ten years), plus one year of mandatory supervised release. People convicted of a Class 3 felony may be sentenced to periodic imprisonment for up to 18 months or to probation for up to 30 months. (730 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/5-4.5-40 (2020).) Crimes that are categorized as Class 3 felonies include:
aggravated battery in certain places (such as in public property or in places of worship) or against certain victims (like the elderly, pregnant women, or teachers) theft of property worth between $500 and $10,000, and possession of less than five grams of meth. (720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/12-3.05, 5/16-1, 646/60 (2020).)

Class 4 Felonies
A Class 4 felony is usually punishable by:
one to three years in prison (or three to six years for an extended term), plus one year of supervised release periodic imprisonment for a term of up to 18 months, and/or up to 30 months of probation or conditional release. Crimes that are designated as felonies but aren't given a classification are considered Class 4 felonies. (730 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/5-4.5-45, 5/5-4.5-85 (2020).)
Following are a few examples of Class 4 felonies in Illinois:
identity theft (including credit card fraud) of credit, money, or property worth $300 or less (first offense) using someone's credit or debit card without consent selling stolen property online if it's worth $300 or less, and unauthorized possession of a blank or altered prescription form. (720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/16-30, 5/16-40, 5/17-38, 570/406.2 (2020).)