Illinois law prohibits a broad range of conduct relating to motor vehicle theft. In addition to the general theft provisions, Illinois prohibits criminal trespass to vehicles (joyriding), selling or disposing of stolen vehicles, vehicle hijacking (carjacking), vehicle invasion (breaking into a vehicle), and possessing vehicle theft tools.
Motor vehicle theft falls under Illinois' general theft law, which prohibits:
A person commits theft under this section when they steal a vehicle intending not to return it or intending to abandon, conceal, or dispose of it. Deceiving someone into giving up their vehicle also constitutes theft. When the end result is the owner loses the benefit of their property, it's a permanent deprivation and, thus, theft.
Examples of vehicle theft include a person (a) taking a vehicle without permission and (b) intending to keep it for their own use, bring it to a chop shop, or abandon it in an old shed so it won't be found. It's also theft to deceive someone into believing their vehicle no longer runs with the intent to take the vehicle for their own use. And even when the initial use was authorized—as in the case of a rental car—failure to return the vehicle constitutes theft.
Penalties for vehicle theft depend on the value of the vehicle stolen, as well as the circumstances surrounding the theft.
Theft of a vehicle worth less than $500 is a Class A misdemeanor. All other vehicle thefts are felonies with penalties ranging from 2 to 15 years' incarceration.
It's a Class 3 felony to steal a vehicle valued between $500 and $10,000 and a Class 2 felony when the vehicle is worth $10,000 to $100,000. Stealing a vehicle worth more than $100,000 is a Class 1 felony. Enhanced penalties apply when the vehicle is a government vehicle, the victim was 60 or older, or the offender has prior theft-related convictions.
(720 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/16-1 (2024).)
A person who knowingly possesses or receives a stolen vehicle commits a Class 2 felony. For instance, it's a Class 2 felony for a chop shop to take in a stolen vehicle and strip it for parts or alter the vehicle's identification number. The crime becomes a Class 1 felony when the vehicle is worth $25,000 or more or three or more vehicles are involved. A person who should have known the vehicle was stolen based on the circumstances also commits a crime under this section.
This law also applies to the "essential parts" of a vehicle, which can include transmissions, engines, fenders, doors, frames, stereos, and similar parts. Most likely, catalytic converters would fall under the definition of essential parts.
Conspiring to commit these offenses with another person or persons can result in additional charges for vehicle theft conspiracy. This offense is a class 1 or 2 felony depending on the circumstances.
(625 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§ 5/1-118, 5/4-103 to -103.3 (2024).)
Illinois makes it a crime to possess burglary tools designed to unlock or start a vehicle without a key, including tools that capture or duplicate a vehicle key fob signal. Possession of such tools with the intent to enter a vehicle and commit a felony or theft is a class 4 felony.
(720 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/19-2 (2024).)
Illinois refers to joyriding as criminal trespass of a vehicle. A person commits criminal trespass—a Class A misdemeanor—by knowingly and without permission entering or operating a vehicle (including aircraft, watercraft, and snowmobiles). Unlike theft, criminal trespass involves a temporary, rather than permanent, taking of a vehicle. And unlike burglary, an offender committing criminal trespass doesn't have the additional intent to commit theft or other crime.
(720 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/21-2 (2024).)
Two offenses penalize entry or taking of a vehicle when people are present. Vehicular invasion involves an unauthorized entry into a vehicle with intent to commit a crime, while vehicular hijacking stems from taking a vehicle by force or threat of force. Both carry harsh penalties.
A person commits vehicular invasion by using force to unlawfully enter or reach into an occupied vehicle with intent to commit a theft or felony. This offense addresses "smash and grab" crimes where the car occupants are present. It also includes crimes where the "use of force" is against a person (rather than the vehicle)—for instance, a defendant who thrusts a knife at a passenger (aggravated battery) through an open car window commits vehicular invasion. Vehicular invasion is a Class 1 felony. (720 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/18-6 (2024).)
A person who, by force or threat of force, knowingly takes a vehicle from or in the immediate presence of a person commits vehicular hijacking—a Class 1 felony. If any of the following circumstances were involved during the crime, the person commits aggravated vehicular hijacking and faces Class X felony penalties:
A class X felony generally carries a prison sentence of 6 to 30 years. For aggravated vehicular hijacking involving a firearm, Illinois adds 15 to 25 years or life to the underlying sentence.
(720 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§ 5/18-3, 18-4 (2024).)
Illinois law provides the following penalties based on offense level. The sentencing ranges listed show the general penalty range. If the crime involved aggravating factors or the offender has a criminal history, enhanced penalties could apply. For all theft offenses, a judge can order restitution (payments to the victim for losses associated with the crime), in addition to imprisonment and fines.
Class A misdemeanor. The typical penalty for a Class A misdemeanor is up to one year in jail and up to a $2,500 fine for each offense.
Class 4 felony. Punishment for a Class 4 felony is typically a sentence of one to three years' imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $25,000.
Class 3 felony. A Class 3 felony conviction usually results in a sentence of 2 to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $25,000.
Class 2 felony. A Class 2 felony conviction generally carries a sentence of imprisonment ranging from 3 to 7 years and a fine of not more than $25,000.
Class 1 felony. A Class 1 felony conviction typically results in 4 to 15 years' imprisonment and a fine of not more than $25,000.
Class X felony. A Class X felony conviction generally carries a sentence of imprisonment ranging from 6 to 30 years and a fine of not more than $25,000.
(730 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§ 5/5-4.5-25 to -55; 5/5-5-6 (2024).)
If you're charged with a motor vehicle theft offense, speak with a criminal defense attorney. A conviction for vehicle theft may result in a prison sentence and a hefty fine. An attorney will evaluate your case, discuss possible defenses, and protect your rights.