ARMED ROBBERY​

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In Illinois, armed robbery is a Class X felony. This means a conviction carries some of the harshest penalties in our criminal justice system. If convicted, you could face:

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• A prison sentence of 6 to 30 years (Additional prison time if certain aggravating factors are present)

• 15 years will be added if the person charged was carrying a firearm rather than another type of weapon

• 20 years will be added if the weapon was discharged during the crime

• 25 years to a term of natural life will be added if discharging the weapon caused serious bodily harm, disfigurement, disability, or death

• Substantial fines

• No probation

• A permanent felony record

• Difficulty finding employment or housing​​

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UNLAWFUL USE OF A WEAPON (UUW)

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In Illinois, a standard UUW charge is typically a Class A Misdemeanor, but it can be elevated to a Class 4, 3, or 2 Felony depending on the type of weapon and where it was possessed (e.g., near a school or courthouse). If convicted, you could face:

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• Up to 364 days in county jail (for a misdemeanor)

• 1 to 3 years in state prison (if elevated to a Class 4 felony)

• 3 to 7 years in state prison (if elevated to a Class 2 felony, such as for a machine gun or silencer)

• Fines of up to $2,500 (misdemeanor) or $25,000 (felony)

• A permanent criminal record that cannot be expunged if a conviction is entered

• Loss of Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card and CCL rights

• Mandatory confiscation of the weapon involved

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AGGRAVATED UUW

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Aggravated UUW is a Class 4 Felony for a first offense and carries significantly stiffer penalties because it involves factors like a loaded weapon or the lack of a valid FOID card. If convicted, you could face:

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• A prison sentence of 1 to 3 years for a first offense

• 3 to 7 years in prison for a second or subsequent offense (Class 2 Felony)

• Mandatory prison time (no probation) if you did not have a valid FOID card and the gun was loaded/accessible

• 6 to 30 years in prison if the offense is elevated to a Class X Felony (e.g., while wearing body armor)

• Fines reaching up to $25,000

• Forfeiture of all firearm ownership rights under state and federal law

• Severe limitations on future employment, specifically in fields requiring background checks or professional licensing