CHAPTER 720, ILCS 5/ - CRIMINAL CODE DIVISION I

720 ILCS 5/12-6.5

Sec. 12-6.5. Compelling organization membership of persons. A person who knowingly, expressly or impliedly, threatens to do bodily harm or does bodily harm to an individual or to that individual's family or uses any other criminally unlawful means to solicit or cause any person to join, or deter any person from leaving, any organization or association regardless of the nature of such organization or association, is guilty of a Class 2 felony.

Illinois Compiled Statute
720 ILCS 5/12-6.5
Offense Description
Compelling organization membership of persons
Offense Classification
Class 3 Felony
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
2 to 5 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000
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, 720 ILCS 5/12-6.5 (Compelling organization membership of persons) is classified as a Class 3 Felony. Statutory sentencing scope: 2 to 5 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000. 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 3 Felony

2 to 5 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000

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

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Compelling organization membership of persons Official ILGA · 720 ILCS 5/12-6.5 -> Class 3 Felony Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 12-6.5. Compelling organization membership of persons. A person who knowingly, expressly or impliedly, threatens to do bodily harm or does bodily harm to an individual or to that individual's family or uses any other criminally unlawful means to solicit or cause any person to join, or deter any person from leaving, any organization or association regardless of the nature of such organization or association, is guilty of a Class 2 felony.

Any person of the age of 18 years or older who knowingly, expressly or impliedly, threatens to do bodily harm or does bodily harm to a person under 18 years of age or uses any other criminally unlawful means to solicit or cause any person under 18 years of age to join, or deter any person under 18 years of age from leaving, any organization or association regardless of the nature of such organization or association is guilty of a Class 1 felony.

A person convicted of an offense under this Section shall not be eligible to receive a sentence of probation, conditional discharge, or periodic imprisonment.

(Source: P.A. 96-1551, eff. 7-1-11.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 720 ILCS 5/12-6.5 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/12-6.5 (Compelling organization membership of persons) is classified as a Class 3 Felony.

Sentencing Scope: 2 to 5 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000

Is a court appearance mandatory for 720 ILCS 5/12-6.5 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 720 ILCS 5/12-6.5 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 720 ILCS 5/12-6.5?

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 720 ILCS 5/12-6.5 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/12-6.5 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/720-ilcs-5-12-6.5
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes