CHAPTER 720, ILCS 5/ - CRIMINAL CODE DIVISION I
Also Known As: Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking, Armed Carjacking, Carjacking with Firearm

720 ILCS 5/18-4

Sec. 18-4. Aggravated vehicular hijacking.

Illinois Compiled Statute
720 ILCS 5/18-4
Offense Description
Aggravated hijacking
Offense Classification
Class X Felony
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
6 to 30 years IDOC (Non-probationable mandatory prison) · 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)
Detention Eligible: The State's Attorney may petition the court for denial of pretrial release under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 (Class X). Standard: Specific, real, and present threat to safety of any person or community.
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 5/18-4 (Aggravated hijacking) is classified as a Class X Felony. Statutory sentencing scope: 6 to 30 years IDOC (Non-probationable mandatory prison) · Fine up to $25,000. Court appearance is mandatory under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, and pretrial release is subject to detention eligibility under the SAFE-T Act (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1).

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Class X Felony

6 to 30 years IDOC (Non-probationable mandatory prison) · 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) Detention Eligible (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)

Detention Eligible: The State's Attorney may petition the court for denial of pretrial release under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 (Class X). Standard: Specific, real, and present threat to safety of any person or community.

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 X Felony
Court Appearance Mandatory Court Appearance (Rule 551)
SAFE-T Act Detention Detention Eligible (Class X)
SOS Reporting Code None Assigned

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Aggravated hijacking Official ILGA · 720 ILCS 5/18-4 -> Class X Felony Rule 551 Mandate Detainable — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 18-4. Aggravated vehicular hijacking.

(a)

(a) A person commits aggravated vehicular hijacking when he or she violates Section 18-3; and

(1)

(1) the person from whose immediate presence the motor vehicle is taken is a person with a physical disability or a person 60 years of age or over; or (2) a person under 16 years of age is a passenger in the motor vehicle at the time of the offense; or (3) he or she carries on or about his or her person, or is otherwise armed with a dangerous weapon, other than a firearm; or (4) he or she carries on or about his or her person or is otherwise armed with a firearm; or (5) he or she, during the commission of the offense, personally discharges a firearm; or (6) he or she, during the commission of the offense, personally discharges a firearm that proximately causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, or death to another person. (b) Sentence. Aggravated vehicular hijacking in violation of subsections (a)(1) or (a)(2) is a Class X felony. A violation of subsection (a)(3) is a Class X felony for which a term of imprisonment of not less than 7 years shall be imposed. A violation of subsection (a)(4) is a Class X felony for which 15 years shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court. A violation of subsection (a)(5) is a Class X felony for which 20 years shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court. A violation of subsection (a)(6) is a Class X felony for which 25 years or up to a term of natural life shall be added to the term of imprisonment imposed by the court.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 720 ILCS 5/18-4 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/18-4 (Aggravated hijacking) is classified as a Class X Felony.

Sentencing Scope: 6 to 30 years IDOC (Non-probationable mandatory prison) · Fine up to $25,000

Is a court appearance mandatory for 720 ILCS 5/18-4 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 5/18-4 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?

Detention Eligible: Detention Eligible: The State's Attorney may petition the court for denial of pretrial release under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1 (Class X). Standard: Specific, real, and present threat to safety of any person or community.

What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 720 ILCS 5/18-4?

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 5/18-4 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/18-4 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/720-ilcs-5-18-4
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes