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.