CHAPTER 720, ILCS 5/ - CRIMINAL CODE DIVISION I

720 ILCS 5/26-7

Sec. 26-7. Disorderly conduct with a laser or laser pointer.

Illinois Compiled Statute
720 ILCS 5/26-7
Offense Description
Disorderly conduct – laser
Offense Classification
Class C Misdemeanor
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
Up to 30 days county jail · Fine up to $1,500
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 5/26-7 (Disorderly conduct – laser) is classified as a Class C Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: Up to 30 days county jail · Fine up to $1,500. 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 C Misdemeanor

Up to 30 days county jail · Fine up to $1,500

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 C 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
Disorderly conduct – laser Official ILGA · 720 ILCS 5/26-7 -> Class C Misdemeanor Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 26-7. Disorderly conduct with a laser or laser pointer.

(a)

(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this Section:

"Aircraft" means any contrivance now known or hereafter invented, used, or designed for navigation of or flight in the air, but excluding parachutes. "Laser" means both of the following:

(1)

(1) any device that utilizes the natural oscillations of atoms or molecules between energy levels for generating coherent electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared region of the spectrum and when discharged exceeds one milliwatt continuous wave; (2) any device designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by simulated emission that is visible to the human eye. "Laser pointer" means a hand-held device that emits light amplified by the stimulated emission of radiation that is visible to the human eye. "Laser sight" means a laser pointer that can be attached to a firearm and can be used to improve the accuracy of the firearm. (b) A person commits disorderly conduct with a laser or laser pointer when he or she intentionally or knowingly:

(1)

(1) aims an operating laser pointer at a person he or she knows or reasonably should know to be a peace officer; or (2) aims and discharges a laser or other device that creates visible light into the cockpit of an aircraft that is in the process of taking off, landing, or is in flight. (c) Paragraph (2) of subsection (b) does not apply to the following individuals who aim and discharge a laser or other device at an aircraft:

(1)

(1) an authorized individual in the conduct of research and development or flight test operations conducted by an aircraft manufacturer, the Federal Aviation Administration, or any other person authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct this research and development or flight test operations; or (2) members or elements of the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security acting in an official capacity for the purpose of research, development, operations, testing, or training. (d) Sentence. Disorderly conduct with a laser or laser pointer is a Class A misdemeanor.

(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 5/26-7 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/26-7 (Disorderly conduct – laser) is classified as a Class C Misdemeanor.

Sentencing Scope: Up to 30 days county jail · Fine up to $1,500

Is a court appearance mandatory for 720 ILCS 5/26-7 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 5/26-7 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 5/26-7?

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 5/26-7 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/26-7 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/720-ilcs-5-26-7
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes