Penalties for Theft in Illinois

 Posted on December 23, 2023 in Criminal Defense

In 2021, Will County was home to 1,545 reports of theft. Even though you may think sneaking a necklace out of a jewelry shop is no big deal, think again

Illinois law imposes serious punishments for offenders, and the court system is not afraid to convict someone when sufficient evidence is presented.

If you are convicted of theft, you will likely be paying steep fines, serving time, and have a criminal record for the rest of your life. If you are facing theft allegations in Illinois, you need a Joliet theft and burglary defense lawyer who can defend your good name

Theft Laws in Illinois

Illinois statute 720 ILCS 5/16-1 states that a person commits theft when the individual knowingly: 

• Obtains or employs unauthorized control over the property of another person
• Obtains the property of another by deception
• Obtains the property of another by threat
• Obtains the property of another knowing that it is stolen or with the reasonable belief that it is stolen
• Obtains or employs control over property while in police custody, with a police officer informing the person that the property is stolen or implying that it is stolen

Punishments for Theft in Illinois

What most of us think of as common theft is actually known as larceny. Instead of using the term “larceny,” Illinois statutes state the offense as “theft of property not from the person.” 

If you are charged with theft in Illinois, your punishment will be subject to the cost of goods stolen. The breakdown is as follows:

Class A Misdemeanor

Property stolen is less than $500 in value.

Punishment: Up to $2,500 in fines with a potential prison sentence of one year

Class 4 Felony

Property is stolen less than $500 in value but committed in a place of worship, school, or on government property.

Punishment: Up to $25,000 in fines with a prison sentence of 1-3 years

Class 3 Felony

Property theft from a person that is valued up to $500, or theft of property that is valued between $500 and $10,000.

Punishment: Up to $25,000 in fines with a prison sentence of 2-5 years

Class 2 Felony

Property theft from a person not exceeding $500 in value, or theft of property that is valued between $500 and $10,000 when the theft was committed in a place of worship, school, or on government property, or property theft that is valued between $10,000 and $100,000.

Punishment: Up to $25,000 in fines with a prison sentence of 3-7 years

Class 1 Felony

Property theft that is between $10,000 to $100,000 in value if the property theft was committed in a place of worship, school, or on government property or property theft that is between $100,000 to $500,000 in value.

Punishment: Up to $25,000 in fines with 4-15 years in prison

Class 1 Non-Probation Felony

Property theft valued between $500,000 and $1 million.

Punishment: Up to $25,000 in fines with 4-15 years in prison

Class X Felony

Property theft that exceeds $100,000 in value if the theft was committed in a place of worship, school, or on government property, or property that exceeds $1 million in value.

Punishment: Up to $25,000 in fines with a prison sentence of 6-30 years 

A skilled Will County theft and burglary defense lawyer can potentially negotiate a plea bargain to have the charges against you reduced

Accused of Theft? Contact a Joliet, IL, Theft and Burglary Defense Lawyer Today

Theft charges in Illinois carry severe consequences. If you have been arrested for theft, our Will County, IL, theft and burglary defense lawyers are ready to help. Contact McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC today online or by calling 815-727-0100 to schedule your free consultation