CHAPTER 4 - ANTI-THEFT LAWS

625 ILCS 5/4-102

Sec. 4-102. Offenses relating to motor vehicles and other vehicles - Misdemeanors.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/4-102
Offense Description
Damage to a vehicle or unlawful removal of any part of a vehicle
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, 625 ILCS 5/4-102 (Damage to a vehicle or unlawful removal of any part of a vehicle) 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 0720
Search in Live Workstation ➔ Official ILGA Statute (ilga.gov) ->

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (3)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Damage to a vehicle or unlawful removal of any part of a vehicle 625 ILCS 5/4-102(a)(1) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/4-102(a)(1) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 0720 ILGA.gov ->
Unlawful tampering with a vehicle, unlawful entry of a vehicle or unlawful attempt to set it in motion 625 ILCS 5/4-102(a)(2) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/4-102(a)(2) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
Failure to report vehicle as unclaimed – garage repair, parking or storage operators 625 ILCS 5/4-102(a)(3) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/4-102(a)(3) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 4-102. Offenses relating to motor vehicles and other vehicles - Misdemeanors.

(a)

(a) It is a violation of this Chapter for:

(1)

(1) A person, without authority to do so, to damage a vehicle or to damage or remove any part of a vehicle; (2) A person, without authority to do so, to tamper with a vehicle or go in it, on it, or work or attempt to work any of its parts, or set or attempt to set it in motion; (3) A person to fail to report a vehicle as unclaimed in accordance with the provisions of Section 4-107. (b) Sentence. A person convicted of a violation of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. A person convicted of a violation of this Section a second or subsequent time, shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.

(Source: P.A. 86-1209.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/4-102 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/4-102 (Damage to a vehicle or unlawful removal of any part of a vehicle) 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 625 ILCS 5/4-102 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 625 ILCS 5/4-102 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 625 ILCS 5/4-102?

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 625 ILCS 5/4-102 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/4-102 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-4-102
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes
625 ILCS 5/4-103
Rule 551

Unlawful possession, sale, disposal or concealment of a vehicle or essential part knowing it to have been stolen or converted

Class 2 Felony
625 ILCS 5/4-103.1
Rule 551

Vehicle theft conspiracy

Class 2 Felony
625 ILCS 5/4-103.2
Rule 551

Unlawful possession of 3 or more vehicles, 3 or more essential parts from different vehicles, to receive, possess, conceal, sell, dispose of or transfer those vehicles or parts knowing they are stolen or converted

Class 2 Felony
625 ILCS 5/4-103.3
Detainable Rule 551

Organizer of an aggravated vehicle theft conspiracy – Class X felony

Class X Felony