Although recreational marijuana was legalized in Illinois as of January 1, 2020, there are still many other drugs that citizens cannot possess or distribute in the state. Under Illinois law, it is unlawful to manufacture, own, sell, or traffic controlled substances such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines. Drug trafficking is a serious crime in which a person knowingly brings a controlled substance for the purpose of delivery or with the intent to deliver it elsewhere. 

Offenders are subject to serious criminal consequences, including prison and steep fines. These penalties are often doubled compared to drug possession charges. However, to be convicted of drug trafficking, the prosecution must prove the defendant knew he or she was bringing the controlled substance across state lines in addition to the ultimate goal of its delivery within or outside of the state. 

Punishments for Selling Drugs

Per the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, drug trafficking can carry a range of felony charges, from a Class 3 to a Class X. A convicted drug trafficker could be sentenced to serve a maximum sentence of 30 to 120 years in prison, or twice the maximum term applicable for a possession conviction. People found guilty of trafficking may be required to pay a fine of $75,000 up to $1 million, which is twice the amount of a maximum fine for a Class X controlled-substance possession-related felony.

Although you may have heard the phrase “child endangerment” before, you may not know exactly what it means. Because the definition of child endangerment encompasses a few different criminal acts, offenders may engage in a wide variety of conduct. Child endangerment generally refers to an action or inaction that causes a child to suffer psychological, emotional, or physical abuse.

Under Illinois law, an individual may be found guilty of child endangerment if he or she knowingly causes or allows the well-being of a child under the age of 18 to be endangered. This can also include causing or permitting a child to be placed in a situation that endangers the child’s life or health. In some cases, false allegations or unintentional acts could result in these types of criminal charges, so it is critical to seek legal counsel if you or someone you know is facing these serious charges. 

Examples of Actions That Could Harm a Child 

Some people simply do not know the laws when it comes to activities or behaviors that are considered child endangerment. For example, they may not realize at what age a child can be left unattended, either at home or in a car. In other circumstances, not taking action if a child is being abused in any way can be classified as endangering him or her, even if someone was just a witness and not the alleged abuser. 

The start of the new decade saw many changes to Illinois laws. The amendments and new legislation cover a wide variety of issues, from traffic violations to sexual crimes to the financial exploitation of the elderly, as well as the use of recreational marijuana. One of the most far-reaching laws removes the statute of limitations for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse for victims of any age, not just those 18 and under. This means a victim can file charges against his or her offender within any timeframe, not just within a certain number of years after the alleged crime took place. 

Previously, a sexual assault victim had to take legal action within 10 years of the offense if the victim reported the offense to police within three years after the commission of the crime. A large number of people may be facing criminal charges because of this change, and that is why it is important to understand what acts constitute these crimes and the legal ramifications if you are ever charged with them. 

How Are Sexual Assault and Abuse Defined?

The consequences for sexual crimes can be significant, resulting in felony charges that are punishable by hefty fines and jail time. Criminal sexual assault occurs when a person commits an act of sexual penetration and one of the following is true:

When someone sees a “no trespassing” sign, he or she may not take it very seriously. It may seem more like a request to stay off of someone’s yard than an actual law. In legal terms, trespassing is defined as physically being on another person’s property without permission. Property owners have the right to call the police and have trespassers arrested and charged if they are on their premises. Generally, trespassing is charged as a misdemeanor offense in Illinois. However, if a person trespasses on a certain type of property or with the intent to commit a crime such as burglary, it could be charged as a felony. 

Different Forms of Trespassing

It is important to note that under Illinois law, there are two types of trespassing, civil and criminal. Civil trespass typically involves a tenant-landlord situation in which a tenant fails to pay rent but still remains in the residence. The police will not get involved until the eviction process is formally started. Criminal trespass to property, residence, or vehicle are more serious offenses, which can lead to fines and imprisonment depending on the circumstances. A few examples of this type of trespassing include the following:

• Entering a building you do not have permission to be in
• Stepping foot on property when there are “no trespassing” signs clearly posted
• Using false documents to receive permission from the owner to enter or remain in a building
• Refusing to leave someone’s home after being asked to leave
• Operating or entering a vehicle, boat, plane, or snowmobile without permission to do so. 

Illinois Punishments for Trespassers

According to Illinois Criminal code, criminal trespassing can be prosecuted either as a Class A  or B misdemeanor, or even a Class 3 or 4 felony. The penalties for these offenses are as follows:

Federal and state laws are constantly changing for various reasons. In some cases, new legislation reflects an update to the punishment, definition, or statute of limitations for a criminal act. In Illinois, there are 250 new laws set to go into effect on January 1, 2020. These regulations cover a range of crimes, including drug sale or possession, sexual offenses, and traffic violations. Depending on the type of offense, traffic crimes may be classified as “moving or nonmoving violations.” Moving violations are more serious in nature, which could potentially lead to injury or even wrongful death. Although many people view traffic citations as an annoyance, they are meant to deter poor driving habits by motorists. Any changes to traffic laws are generally made to increase the safety of everyone on the roadways. 

Passing a Stopped School Bus

Currently, there are many actions that constitute a traffic violation. Some of the more serious offenses can include driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI), reckless driving, and operating a vehicle without proof of auto insurance. Specific laws for driving in school zones are put in place to protect children from risks when crossing the street or getting on and off a bus. It has long been illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing, both inside and outside of school zones. Due to changes in the law, the fines for such a violation will increase dramatically in 2020. 

Beginning on New Year’s Day, the penalty for passing a stopped school bus will now be a $300 fine for a first offense. If an offender violates this law a second time, the fine increases to $1,000.