CHAPTER 720, ILCS 5/ - CRIMINAL CODE DIVISION I

720 ILCS 5/31A-1.1

Sec. 31A-1.1. Bringing Contraband into a Penal Institution; Possessing Contraband in a Penal Institution.

Illinois Compiled Statute
720 ILCS 5/31A-1.1
Offense Description
Bringing or possessing contraband in penal institution
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)
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 5/31A-1.1 (Bringing or possessing contraband in penal institution) 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 presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

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) 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 1 Felony
Court Appearance Mandatory Court Appearance (Rule 551)
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
Bringing or possessing contraband in penal institution Official ILGA · 720 ILCS 5/31A-1.1 -> Class 1 Felony Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 31A-1.1. Bringing Contraband into a Penal Institution; Possessing Contraband in a Penal Institution.

(a)

(a) A person commits bringing contraband into a penal institution when he or she knowingly and without authority of any person designated or authorized to grant this authority (1) brings an item of contraband into a penal institution or (2) causes another to bring an item of contraband into a penal institution or (3) places an item of contraband in such proximity to a penal institution as to give an inmate access to the contraband.

(b)

(b) A person commits possessing contraband in a penal institution when he or she knowingly possesses contraband in a penal institution, regardless of the intent with which he or she possesses it.

(c)

(c) (Blank).

(d)

(d) Sentence.

(1)

(1) Bringing into or possessing alcoholic liquor in a penal institution is a Class 4 felony. (2) Bringing into or possessing cannabis in a penal institution is a Class 3 felony. (3) Bringing into or possessing any amount of a controlled substance classified in Schedules III, IV or V of Article II of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act in a penal institution is a Class 2 felony. (4) Bringing into or possessing any amount of a controlled substance classified in Schedules I or II of Article II of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act in a penal institution is a Class 1 felony. (5) Bringing into or possessing a hypodermic syringe in a penal institution is a Class 1 felony. (6) Bringing into or possessing a weapon, tool to defeat security mechanisms, cutting tool, or electronic contraband in a penal institution is a Class 1 felony. (7) Bringing into or possessing a firearm, firearm ammunition, or explosive in a penal institution is a Class X felony. (e) It shall be an affirmative defense to subsection (b), that the possession was specifically authorized by rule, regulation, or directive of the governing authority of the penal institution or order issued under it.

(f)

(f) It shall be an affirmative defense to subsection (a)(1) and subsection (b) that the person bringing into or possessing contraband in a penal institution had been arrested, and that person possessed the contraband at the time of his or her arrest, and that the contraband was brought into or possessed in the penal institution by that person as a direct and immediate result of his or her arrest.

(g)

(g) Items confiscated may be retained for use by the Department of Corrections or disposed of as deemed appropriate by the Chief Administrative Officer in accordance with Department rules or disposed of as required by law.

(Source: P.A. 97-1108, eff. 1-1-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 720 ILCS 5/31A-1.1 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/31A-1.1 (Bringing or possessing contraband in penal institution) 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 5/31A-1.1 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 5/31A-1.1 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 5/31A-1.1?

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 5/31A-1.1 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/31A-1.1 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/720-ilcs-5-31a-1.1
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes