CHAPTER 720, ILCS 5/ - CRIMINAL CODE DIVISION I

720 ILCS 5/29D-20

Sec. 29D-20. Making a terrorist threat.

Illinois Compiled Statute
720 ILCS 5/29D-20
Offense Description
Making terrorist threat
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 5/29D-20 (Making terrorist threat) 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
Making terrorist threat Official ILGA · 720 ILCS 5/29D-20 -> Class X Felony Rule 551 Mandate Detainable — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 29D-20. Making a terrorist threat.

(a)

(a) A person is guilty of making a terrorist threat when, with the intent to intimidate or coerce a significant portion of a civilian population, he or she in any manner knowingly threatens to commit or threatens to cause the commission of a terrorist act as defined in Section 29D-10(1) and thereby causes a reasonable expectation or fear of the imminent commission of a terrorist act as defined in Section 29D-10(1) or of another terrorist act as defined in Section 29D-10(1).

(b)

(b) It is not a defense to a prosecution under this Section that at the time the defendant made the terrorist threat, unknown to the defendant, it was impossible to carry out the threat, nor is it a defense that the threat was not made to a person who was a subject or intended victim of the threatened act.

(c)

(c) Sentence. Making a terrorist threat is a Class X felony.

(d)

(d) In addition to any other sentence that may be imposed, the court shall order any person convicted of making a terrorist threat involving a threat that a bomb or explosive device has been placed in a school to reimburse the unit of government that employs the emergency response officer or officers that were dispatched to the school for the cost of the search for a bomb or explosive device. For the purposes of this Section, "emergency response" means any incident requiring a response by a police officer, a firefighter, a State Fire Marshal employee, or an ambulance.

(Source: P.A. 96-413, eff. 8-13-09.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 720 ILCS 5/29D-20 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/29D-20 (Making terrorist threat) 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 5/29D-20 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 5/29D-20 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 5/29D-20?

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 5/29D-20 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/29D-20 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/720-ilcs-5-29d-20
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes