CHAPTER 720, ILCS 5/ - CRIMINAL CODE DIVISION I

720 ILCS 5/20-2

Sec. 20-2. Possession of explosives or explosive or incendiary devices.

Illinois Compiled Statute
720 ILCS 5/20-2
Offense Description
Possession of explosives or incendiary device
Offense Classification
Class 1 Felony
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
4 to 15 years IDOC (Probation eligible unless aggravated) · 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 (Forcible Felony). Standard: Real and present threat to physical safety.
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 5/20-2 (Possession of explosives or incendiary device) is classified as a Class 1 Felony. Statutory sentencing scope: 4 to 15 years IDOC (Probation eligible unless aggravated) · 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 1 Felony

4 to 15 years IDOC (Probation eligible unless aggravated) · 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 (Forcible Felony). Standard: Real and present threat to physical safety.

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

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Possession of explosives or incendiary device Official ILGA · 720 ILCS 5/20-2 -> Class 1 Felony Rule 551 Mandate Detainable — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 20-2. Possession of explosives or explosive or incendiary devices.

(a)

(a) A person commits possession of explosives or explosive or incendiary devices in violation of this Section when he or she possesses, manufactures or transports any explosive compound, timing or detonating device for use with any explosive compound or incendiary device and either intends to use the explosive or device to commit any offense or knows that another intends to use the explosive or device to commit a felony.

(b)

(b) Sentence.

Possession of explosives or explosive or incendiary devices is a Class 1 felony for which a person, if sentenced to a term of imprisonment, shall be sentenced to not less than 4 years and not more than 30 years.

(c)

(c) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 97-1108, eff. 1-1-13.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 720 ILCS 5/20-2 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/20-2 (Possession of explosives or incendiary device) is classified as a Class 1 Felony.

Sentencing Scope: 4 to 15 years IDOC (Probation eligible unless aggravated) · Fine up to $25,000

Is a court appearance mandatory for 720 ILCS 5/20-2 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 5/20-2 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 (Forcible Felony). Standard: Real and present threat to physical safety.

What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 720 ILCS 5/20-2?

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 5/20-2 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/20-2 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/720-ilcs-5-20-2
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes