Shoplifting under $300 is a misdemeanor. Over $300, prior convictions, or organized retail theft elevates to felony.

Unlawfully taking property of another. Penalties scale from misdemeanor to Class 1 felony based on value and circumstances.

Unlawfully entering a building with intent to commit theft or felony. Non-probationable Class 2 felony.

Entering the dwelling place of another without permission. Class 1 felony with 4 to 15 years mandatory prison time.

Using another person's personal identifying information without permission. Severe credit and employment consequences.

Making or altering documents with intent to defraud. Carries 2 to 5 years prison and restitution requirements.

Intentionally damaging another person's property. Penalties based on damage amount, from misdemeanor to Class 2 felony.

Theft by an employee or person in a position of trust. Enhanced penalties and professional license consequences.

Unlawfully entering or remaining on property after being forbidden. Penalties range from misdemeanor to Class 4 felony.

Intentionally damaging property by fire or explosion. Class 2 felony with 3 to 7 years prison and massive restitution.

Obtaining property through deception or false pretenses. Class 3 felony with restitution and civil liability.

Unauthorized use of credit or debit cards. Penalties based on amount and pattern of fraudulent activity.

Writing bad checks or altering checks. Penalties based on amount with banking industry prosecution support.

Defacing property with paint or markings. Class A misdemeanor with mandatory community service and cleanup costs.

Operating a vehicle with willful disregard for the safety of persons or property. Carries mandatory license suspension and up to 364 days in jail.

Operating a vehicle while your license is suspended or revoked. Additional suspension time, fines, and potential vehicle impoundment.

Driving significantly over the posted speed limit. 50 points on license, fines over $1,000, and automatic suspension at certain thresholds.

Operating a vehicle without required liability insurance coverage. License suspension, fines over $1,000, and mandatory SR-22 filing for reinstatement.

Operating a vehicle without a valid Illinois driver's license. Fines up to $1,500, vehicle impoundment, and potential immigration consequences for non-citizens.

Failing to stay within a single marked lane or improper lane changes. 20 points on license, $164 fine, often charged alongside accident-related violations.

Failing to yield to pedestrians, emergency vehicles, or oncoming traffic. 20 points, $164 fine, and serious consequences when charged with an injury accident.

Traffic violations for commercial driver's license holders. Enhanced penalties, potential CDL disqualification, and mandatory employer notification requirements.

Speeding in a designated school zone when children are present. Doubled fines and points, potential upgrade to reckless driving.

Speeding in an active construction zone when workers are present. Doubled fines, enhanced penalties for repeat violations.

Running a red light at a standard intersection or camera-enforced location. Standard violations carry 20 points and $164 fine. Camera violations carry $100 fine with no points.

Failing to come to a complete stop at a posted stop sign. 20 points, $164 fine, often upgraded to reckless driving if an accident occurs.

Tailgating or failing to maintain a safe following distance. 20 points, $164 fine, commonly issued alongside rear-end collision charges.

Operating a vehicle with expired Illinois registration. $164 fine, potential vehicle impoundment if expired more than four months.

Possessing, carrying, or using a firearm or other weapon in a prohibited manner or location under Illinois law. Penalties range significantly based on circumstances and prior record.

UUW with aggravating factors such as prior felony conviction, possession in a vehicle, or a loaded and accessible firearm without a valid FOID or CCL. Non-probationable in many circumstances.

Possession of any firearm or ammunition by a person with a prior felony conviction. Mandatory prison time with no probation eligibility.

Possessing a firearm or ammunition without a valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card. Commonly charged against people whose FOID lapsed or was revoked without notice.

Carrying a concealed firearm in a prohibited location or without a valid Concealed Carry License. Prohibited locations include schools, government buildings, bars, and public transit.

Committing a felony while armed with a dangerous weapon. A severe sentence enhancer that mandates significant prison time on top of the underlying felony charge.

Possessing or discharging a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school. Mandatory sentence enhancement regardless of whether the person knew they were near a school.

Possessing a firearm with an altered, removed, or obliterated serial number. Treated as strong evidence of criminal intent regardless of how the firearm was acquired.

Transporting a firearm in a vehicle without proper unloaded and enclosed case requirements. Frequently charged during traffic stops when firearms are discovered.

Possession of a firearm by a person prohibited under state or federal law due to mental health adjudications, domestic battery convictions, or active protection orders.

Using or displaying a weapon while committing another offense. Triggers mandatory consecutive sentencing that stacks on top of the underlying criminal charge.

Interstate transport violations, straw purchases, and other federal firearms offenses prosecuted in federal court with mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines.

Selling or transferring a firearm to a prohibited person or without completing required FOID verification. Carries enhanced penalties when the purchaser later used the firearm in a crime.

Discharging a firearm in a reckless manner that endangers the safety of another person. Penalties are significantly enhanced when discharged in a populated area.

Obtaining money, property, or services through deception, false pretenses, or misrepresentation. Penalties scale significantly based on the amount involved and the method of deception.

Theft by an employee, officer, or person in a position of trust who diverts funds or property for personal use. Enhanced penalties and professional license consequences on conviction.

Using another person's personal identifying information without authorization to obtain credit, money, goods, or services. Severe credit, employment, and immigration consequences on conviction.

Making, altering, or using a forged document with intent to defraud. Commonly charged in cases involving altered checks, contracts, prescriptions, or government documents.

Concealing or disguising the proceeds of criminal activity through financial transactions to make them appear legitimate. Carries severe penalties and asset forfeiture consequences.

Offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value to influence the actions of a public official or person in a position of authority. Felony charge with career-ending professional consequences.

Willfully filing false tax returns, underreporting income, or evading tax obligations under Illinois or federal law. Can be charged as a state or federal felony with substantial restitution obligations.

Submitting false or inflated insurance claims, staging accidents, or misrepresenting facts to obtain insurance proceeds. Aggressively investigated by insurance company special investigation units.

Using electronic communications — phone, email, or wire transfers — to execute a scheme to defraud. A federal charge that carries up to 20 years in federal prison per count.

Using the U.S. mail system as part of a scheme to defraud. Federal prosecutors stack mail fraud counts aggressively, multiplying the sentencing exposure with each mailing involved.

Writing bad checks, altering checks, or issuing checks on closed accounts with intent to defraud. Penalties based on the total amount across all transactions.

Unauthorized use of credit or debit card information to obtain goods, services, or cash advances. Penalties escalate significantly based on the total amount and pattern of fraudulent transactions.

Manipulating financial markets, misrepresenting investment information, or operating unlicensed investment schemes. Prosecuted by both state and federal authorities with significant prison exposure.

Participating in an organized pattern of criminal activity through an enterprise. Federal RICO charges carry mandatory 20-year sentences and allow for civil asset forfeiture in addition to criminal penalties.