CHAPTER 720, ILCS 5/ - CRIMINAL CODE DIVISION I

720 ILCS 5/17-11.2

Sec. 17-11.2. Airbag fraud.

Illinois Compiled Statute
720 ILCS 5/17-11.2
Offense Description
Installation of object in place of air bag
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, 720 ILCS 5/17-11.2 (Installation of object in place of air bag) 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 None Assigned

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Installation of object in place of air bag Official ILGA · 720 ILCS 5/17-11.2 -> Class A Misdemeanor Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 17-11.2. Airbag fraud.

(a)

(a) Definitions. In this Section:

"Airbag" means a motor vehicle inflatable occupant restraint system device that is part of a vehicle's supplemental restraint system.

"Counterfeit supplemental restraint system component" means a replacement supplemental restraint system component, including, but not limited to, an airbag, that displays a mark identical to, or substantially similar to, the genuine mark of a motor vehicle manufacturer or a supplier of parts to the manufacturer of a motor vehicle without authorization from that manufacturer or supplier, respectively.

"Non-functional airbag" means a replacement airbag that meets any of the following criteria:

(1)

(1) the airbag was previously deployed or damaged;

(2)

(2) the airbag has an electric fault that is detected by the vehicle's diagnostic system when the installation procedure is completed and the vehicle is returned to the customer who requested the work to be performed or when ownership is intended to be transferred; (3) the airbag includes a part or object, including a supplemental restraint system component, that is installed in a motor vehicle to mislead the owner or operator of the motor vehicle into believing that a functional airbag has been installed; or (4) the airbag is subject to the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 30120(j). "Supplemental restraint system" means a passive inflatable motor vehicle occupant crash protection system designed for use in conjunction with a seat belt assembly as defined in 49 CFR 571.209. "Supplemental restraint system" includes one or more airbags and all components required to ensure that an airbag works as designed by the vehicle manufacturer, including both of the following:

(1)

(1) the airbag operates as designed in the event of a crash; and (2) the airbag is designed to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards for the specific make, model, and year of the vehicle in which it is or will be installed. (b) A person commits airbag fraud when he or she, for consideration, knowingly:

(1)

(1) imports, manufactures, sells, offers for sale, installs, or reinstalls in a vehicle a counterfeit supplemental restraint system component, a non-functional airbag, or an object that does not comply with federal safety regulations for the make, model, and year of the vehicle in which it is or will be installed; (2) sells, offers for sale, installs, or reinstalls in any motor vehicle a device that causes a motor vehicle's diagnostic system to inaccurately indicate that the motor vehicle is equipped with a properly functioning airbag; or (3) sells, leases, trades, or transfers a motor vehicle if the person knows that a counterfeit supplemental restraint system component, a non-functional airbag, or an object that does not comply with federal safety regulations for the make, model, and year of the vehicle as part of a vehicle inflatable restraint system. (c) This Section does not apply to an owner or employee of a motor vehicle dealership or the owner of a vehicle, who, before the sale of the vehicle, does not have knowledge that the vehicle's airbag, or another component of the vehicle's supplemental restraint system, is counterfeit or non-functioning.

(d)

(d) Sentence. A violation of this Section is a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 103-900, eff. 8-9-24; 104-417, eff. 8-15-25.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 720 ILCS 5/17-11.2 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/17-11.2 (Installation of object in place of air bag) 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 720 ILCS 5/17-11.2 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 720 ILCS 5/17-11.2 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 5/17-11.2?

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 5/17-11.2 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/17-11.2 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/720-ilcs-5-17-11.2
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes