A Class X felony is the second most serious criminal charge that can be filed against you in Illinois.
The only thing more serious is a murder, which has its own classification.
| Class | Sentencing Range | Extended Term (if eligible) |
|---|---|---|
| Class M | 20-60 years | 60-100 years |
| Class X | 6-30 years | 30-60 years |
| Class 1 | 4-15 years | 15-30 years |
| Class 2 | 3-7 years | 7-14 years |
| Class 3 | 2-5 years | 5-10 years |
| Class 4 | 1-3 years | 3-6 years |
What You Need To Know About A Class X Felony
A Class X in Illinois is punishable with a minimum term of imprisonment of 6 years and maximum of 30 years. See 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-25.
All Class X’s are non probationable. See 730 ILCS 5/5-5-3(c)(2)(C). That means an individual sentenced on a class X is doing at least 6 years.
Extended Term Eligible?
Any Class X felony charge is potentially eligible for an extended term. If an extended term applies then an individual can be sentenced to a minimum term of imprisonment of 30 years up to a maximum of 60 years!
See The General Illinois Sentencing Index To learn more about extended terms. See also 730 ILCS 5/5-8-2(a), 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-5, 730 ILCS 5/5-5-3.2(b).
Illinois Super Class X Felony
There are some special Class X charges that have their own “suped-up” minimum and maximum penalties. Below you’ll find a list of Super Class X felonies with their corresponding sentencing range:
| Predatory CSA (6-60) | 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40(b) |
| Predatory With Great Bodily Harm (50-Life) | 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40(b) |
| Predatory With Drugged Victim (50-60) | 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40(b) |
| Criminal Sexual Assault (Use of Force or Not Understand) & Prior CSA (30-60) | 720 ILCS 5/11-1.20(b)(1)(A) |
| Terrorism Without Death (20-Life) | 720 ILCS 5/29D-14.9(b) |
| Hindering Prosecution of Terrorism (20-Life) | 720 ILCS 5/29D-35(b) |
| Support of Terrorism (9-40) | 720 ILCS 5/29D-29.9(b) |
| Solicitation of Murder (15-30) | 720 ILCS 5/8-1(c) |
| Solicitation of Murder Victim Under 17 (20-60) | 720 ILCS 5/8-1(c) |
| Solicitation of Murder for Hire (20-40) | 720 ILCS 5/8-1.2(b) |
| Solicitation of Murder for Hire Victim Under 17 (25-60) | 720 ILCS 5/8-1.2(b) |
| Attempt 1st° Murder of Cop, Jail Guard, EMT (20-80) | 720 ILCS 5/8-4(c)(1)(A) |
| Drug Induced Homicide (15-30) | 720 ILCS 5/9-3.3(c) |
| Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking Dangerous Weapon (7-30) | 720 ILCS 5/18-4(b) |
| Aggravated Battery Great Bodily Harm Caustic Substance (6-45) | 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(h) |
| Aggravated Battery Gun With Silencer (12-45) | 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(h) |
| Aggravated Battery Machine Gun (12-45) | 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(h) |
| Aggravated Battery With Firearm to Cop, EMT, or Teacher (15-60) | 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(h) |
| Aggravated Battery to Cop, EMT or Teacher With Machine Gun or Gun With Silencer (20-60) | 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(h) |
| Aggravated Discharge of Firearm Cop, EMT, EMW, or Teacher (10-45) | 720 ILCS 5/24-1.2(b) |
| Aggravated Discharge Gun With Silencer or Machine Gun at Cop, EMT or EMW (12-50) | 720 ILCS 5/24-1.2-5(b) |
| Unlawful Sale of 11 to 20 Guns Concealable Gun to Minor Within 3 Yrs (6-40) | 720 ILCS 5/24-3(C)(10) |
| Unlawful Sale of 21 to 30 Guns Concealable Gun to Minor Within 4 Yrs (6-50) | 720 ILCS 5/24-3(C)(10) |
| Unlawful Sale of 31 or more Guns Concealable Gun to Minor Within 5 Yrs (6-60) | 720 ILCS 5/24-3(C)(10) |
| Gunrunning 11 to 20 Guns (8-40) | 720 ILCS 5/24-3A(b)(2) |
| Gunrunning more than 20 Guns (10-50) | 720 ILCS 5/24-3A(b)(3) |
| Unlawful Purchase of 6 Guns or More Within 2 Yrs (9-40) | 720 ILCS 5/24-3.5(e)(1)(C) |
| Aggravated Possession of 11 to 20 Stolen Guns Within 3 Yrs (6-40) | 720 ILCS 5/24-3.9(c)(3) |
| Aggravated Possession of 21 to 30 Stolen Guns Within 4 Yrs (6-50) | 720 ILCS 5/24-3.9(c)(4) |
| Aggravated Possession of 30 or more Guns Within 5 Yrs (6-60) | 720 ILCS 5/24-3.9(c)(5) |
| UUW Felon in Prison (12-50) | 720 ILCS 5/24-1.1(e) |
| UUW Felon With Body Armour (10-40) | 720 ILCS 5/24-1.1(e) |
| Armed Violence Category I (concealable gun) Weapon (15-30) | 720 ILCS 5/33A-3(a) |
| Armed Violence Category II (rifle) (10-30) | 720 ILCS 5/33A-3(a-5) |
| Armed Violence Personally Discharging Gun (20-30) | 720 ILCS 5/33A-3(b-5) |
| Armed Violence Personally Discharging Gun Great Bodily Harm (25-40) | 720 ILCS 5/33A-3(b-5) |
| Armed Violence By 3 Time Serious Felon (25-50) | 720 ILCS 5/33A-3(c) |
| Delivery 100 g or More But Less Than 400 g of cocaine (9-40) | 720 ILCS 570/401(a)(2)(B) |
| Delivery 400 g or More But Less Than 900 g of cocaine (12-50) | 720 ILCS 570/401(a)(2)(C) |
| Delivery 900 g or More of cocaine (15-60) | 720 ILCS 570/401(a)(1)(D) |
| RICO (7-30) | 720 ILCS 5/33G-5(a) |
12 Examples Of Common Charges That Are A Class X Felony
- Attempt Murder, 720 ILCS 5/9-1(a), 720 ILCS 5/8-4.
- Aggravated kidnapping, 720 ILCS 5/10-2.
- Aggravated battery with a firearm, 720 ILCS 5/12-4.2(a)(1).
- Home invasion, 720 ILCS 5/19-6.
- Aggravated criminal sexual assault, 720 ILCS 5/12-14.
- Predatory criminal sexual assault of a child (over 17 years of age and victim under 13 years old), 720 ILCS 5/12-14.1(1).
- Armed robbery, 720 ILCS 5/18-2.
- Armed violence, 720 ILCS s5/33A-2.
- Habitual armed criminal, 720 ILCS 5/24-1.7.
- Aggravated vehicular hijacking, 720 ILCS 5/18-4.
- Aggravated arson, 720 ILCS 5/20-1.1.
- Possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (such as 15-100 grams or possession with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a public park, church, school, or public housing), 720 ILCS 570/401.
Samuel Partida, Jr. is now prosecuting criminal law cases in an Illinois county near you. He is, therefore, unavailable to answer questions on this site. Always remember, there is no substitute for steady, persistent attention to the cases.
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