CHAPTER 235, ILCS - DRAM SHOP

235 ILCS 5/6-20

Sec. 6-20. Transfer, possession, and consumption of alcoholic liquor; restrictions.

Illinois Compiled Statute
235 ILCS 5/6-20
Offense Description
Illegal possession or consumption of alcohol by a minor
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
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
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, 235 ILCS 5/6-20 (Illegal possession or consumption of alcohol by a minor) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500. Court appearance is mandatory under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, 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 Rule 551 Mandatory Court

Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

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 Mandatory Court Appearance (Rule 551)
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code None Assigned

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (2)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Illegal possession or consumption of alcohol by a minor Official ILGA · 235 ILCS 5/6-20 -> Class A Misdemeanor Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
Illegal possession or consumption of alcoholic liquor by a minor under 21 years of age – Class A misdemeanor 235 ILCS 5/6-20(e) Official ILGA · 235 ILCS 5/6-20(e) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 6-20. Transfer, possession, and consumption of alcoholic liquor; restrictions.

(a)

(a) Any person to whom the sale, gift or delivery of any alcoholic liquor is prohibited because of age shall not purchase, or accept a gift of such alcoholic liquor or have such alcoholic liquor in his possession.

(d)

(d) Any person under the age of 21 years who presents or offers to any licensee, his agent or employee, any written, printed or photostatic evidence of age and identity that is false, fraudulent, or not actually his or her own for the purpose of ordering, purchasing, attempting to purchase or otherwise procuring or attempting to procure, the serving of any alcoholic liquor, or who has in his possession any false or fraudulent written, printed, or photostatic evidence of age and identity, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(e)

(e) The consumption of alcoholic liquor by any person under 21 years of age is forbidden.

(f)

(f) Whoever violates any provisions of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 99-447, eff. 6-1-16.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 235 ILCS 5/6-20 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 235 ILCS 5/6-20 (Illegal possession or consumption of alcohol by a minor) 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 235 ILCS 5/6-20 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

Mandatory Personal Appearance Required: Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Is an individual accused of 235 ILCS 5/6-20 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 235 ILCS 5/6-20?

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 235 ILCS 5/6-20 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 235 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/6-20 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/235-ilcs-5-6-20
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes