CHAPTER 15, ILCS, ILLINOIS IDENTIFICATION CARD VIOLATIONS

15 ILCS 335/14

Sec. 14. Unlawful use of identification card.

Illinois Compiled Statute
15 ILCS 335/14
Offense Description
Unlawful use of Identification Card – Class A misdemeanor
Offense Classification
Class A Misdemeanor
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Eligibility (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 15 ILCS 335/14 (Unlawful use of Identification Card – Class A misdemeanor) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500. Court appearance is not mandatory (pre-set bond or notice to appear), and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Class A Misdemeanor

Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Court Appearance Mandate Release on Notice (No Mandate)

Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.

Pretrial Fairness Act (SAFE-T Act) Presumptive Pretrial Release

Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

Secretary of State License Sanction Standard Administrative Protocol

No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Classification Class A Misdemeanor
Court Appearance Pre-set Bond / Release on Notice
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code 8179

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Unlawful use of Identification Card – Class A misdemeanor Official ILGA · 15 ILCS 335/14 -> Class A Misdemeanor Release on Notice Release Eligible 8179 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 14. Unlawful use of identification card.

(a)

(a) It is a violation of this Section for any person:

1. To possess, display, or cause to be displayed any cancelled or revoked identification card; 2. To display or represent as the person's own any identification card issued to another; 3. To allow any unlawful use of an identification card issued to the person; 4. To lend an identification card to another or knowingly allow the use thereof by another; 5. To fail or refuse to surrender to the Secretary of State, the Secretary's agent or any peace officer upon lawful demand, any identification card which has been revoked or cancelled; 6. To possess, use, or allow to be used any materials, hardware, or software specifically designed for or primarily used in the manufacture, assembly, issuance, or authentication of an official Illinois Identification Card or Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card issued by the Secretary of State; or 7. To knowingly possess, use, or allow to be used a stolen identification card making implement. (a-1) It is a violation of this Section for any person to possess, use, or allow to be used any materials, hardware, or software specifically designed for or primarily used in the reading of encrypted language from the bar code or magnetic strip of an official Illinois Identification Card or Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card issued by the Secretary of State. This subsection (a-1) does not apply if a federal or State law, rule, or regulation requires that the card holder's address be recorded in specified transactions or if the encrypted information is obtained for the detection or possible prosecution of criminal offenses or fraud. If the address information is obtained under this subsection (a-1), it may be used only for the purposes authorized by this subsection (a-1).

(a-5) As used in this Section "identification card" means any document made or issued by or under the authority of the United States Government, the State of Illinois or any other State or political subdivision thereof, or any governmental or quasi-governmental organization that, when completed with information concerning the individual, is of a type intended or commonly accepted for the purpose of identifying the individual.

(b)

(b) Sentence.

1. Any person convicted of a violation of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and shall be sentenced to a minimum fine of $500 or 50 hours of community service, preferably at an alcohol abuse prevention program, if available. 2. A person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this Section shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony. (c) This Section does not prohibit any lawfully authorized investigative, protective, law enforcement or other activity of any agency of the United States, State of Illinois or any other state or political subdivision thereof.

(Source: P.A. 97-1064, eff. 1-1-13.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 15 ILCS 335/14 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 15 ILCS 335/14 (Unlawful use of Identification Card – Class A misdemeanor) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor.

Sentencing Scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Is a court appearance mandatory for 15 ILCS 335/14 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

No Mandatory Court Appearance (Pre-Set Bond / Notice to Appear): Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.

Is an individual accused of 15 ILCS 335/14 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?

Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 15 ILCS 335/14?

Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Official Legal Citation Formats

Legal & Academic Reference

Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.

Illinois Supreme Court Citation 15 ILCS 335/14 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 15 Ill. Comp. Stat. 335/14 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/15-ilcs-335-14
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes