Sec. 33E-17. Unlawful participation. Whoever, being an officer, director, agent, or employee of, or affiliated in any capacity with any unit of local government or school district participates, shares in, or receiving directly or indirectly any money, profit, property, or benefit through any contract with the unit of local government or school district, with the intent to defraud the unit of local government or school district is guilty of a Class 3 felony.
Illinois Compiled Statute
720 ILCS 5/33E-17
Offense Description
Unlawful participation
Offense Classification
Class 3 Felony
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
2 to 5 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · 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.
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.
Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/33E-17 (Unlawful participation) is classified as a Class 3 Felony. Statutory sentencing scope: 2 to 5 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · 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 ScopeClass 3 Felony
2 to 5 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000
Court Appearance MandateRule 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.
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 SanctionStandard Administrative Protocol
No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
Sec. 33E-17. Unlawful participation. Whoever, being an officer, director, agent, or employee of, or affiliated in any capacity with any unit of local government or school district participates, shares in, or receiving directly or indirectly any money, profit, property, or benefit through any contract with the unit of local government or school district, with the intent to defraud the unit of local government or school district is guilty of a Class 3 felony.
(Source: P.A. 90-800, eff. 1-1-99.)
Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis
Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 720 ILCS 5/33E-17 in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, 720 ILCS 5/33E-17 (Unlawful participation) is classified as a Class 3 Felony.
Sentencing Scope: 2 to 5 years IDOC (Probation eligible) · Fine up to $25,000
Is a court appearance mandatory for 720 ILCS 5/33E-17 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 5/33E-17 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 5/33E-17?
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 Citation720 ILCS 5/33E-17 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.)720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/33E-17 (2026)
Canonical Web Referencehttps://ilcsindex.com/statutes/720-ilcs-5-33e-17