After allegedly participating in the looting spree across Bloomington-Normal region in June of last year, an Illinois woman is charged with burglary and other crimes, according to an article by The Pantagraph.
The looting spree in question occurred on June 1, 2020, in the wake of nationwide civil unrest. This Illinois woman allegedly took part in a looting incident that occurred at a Walmart store in Normal, Illinois on Greenbriar Drive.
At present, this Illinois woman faces criminal charges for burglary, looting, and mob action. Instead of posting $1,035 in bail, this woman remains in police custody with an arraignment scheduled for March 26, 2021.
While the legal case continues to develop for this Illinois woman, it feels like an appropriate opportunity to review several Illinois statutes at issue in the present story.
Burglary: Laws and Penalties in Illinois
The Illinois laws against and penalties for burglary appear at 720 ILCS 5/19-1. Under this section, burglary occurs when a person knowingly and without legal authority:
- Enters someone else’s building, aircraft, house-trailer, watercraft, motor vehicle, or railroad car; and
- Demonstrates an intent to commit or theft or another felony.
Under Section 19-1, burglary is normally a Class 3 felony in Illinois, if no property damage occurs during the offense. If convicted, the penalties usually include a prison sentence between two and five years as well as a maximum of $25,000 in criminal fines.
Looting: Laws and Penalties in Illinois
The Illinois laws against and penalties for looting appear at 720 ILCS 5/25-4. Under this section, looting occurs when a person knowingly:
- Enters another person’s property, without legal authorization;
- Takes advantage of a disruption to security, as a result of an emergency of natural or human causes; and
- Obtains or exerts control over another person’s property.
Under Section 25-4, looting is a generally Class 4 felony in Illinois. If convicted, the penalties usually include a prison sentence between one and three years as well as a maximum of $25,000 in criminal fines. In addition, looting offenders are subject to a minimum of 100 hours of community service and must pay restitution for any property looted.
Mob Action: Laws and Penalties in Illinois
The Illinois laws against and penalties for mob action appear at 720 ILCS 5/25-1. Under this section, mob action occurs when at least two people assemble to:
- Employ reckless use of force or violence and disturb the peace;
- Commit or intend to commit a felony or misdemeanor offense; or
- Exert vigilante justice against someone who supposedly committed a crime.
Under Section 25-1, mob action is often a Class C misdemeanor in Illinois. If convicted, the penalties normally feature a maximum of 30 days in jail and $2,500 in criminal fines. Furthermore, mob action offenders are subject to at least 30 hours and at most 120 hours of community service.
Do You Need Legal Help?
No matter what the criminal offense, all charges are serious. A sound strategy and an aggressive defense are essential for a positive outcome. To protect your rights in such situations, it is highly advisable to retain legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney.
The Prior Law Firm in Bloomington, Illinois, has proven experience in matters of criminal defense. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free consultation. You can reach The Prior Law Firm by phone at (309) 827-4300, email at johnprior@thepriorlawfirm.com or by completing an online form.