{"id":373078,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:11","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-30T10:46:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T15:46:47","slug":"illinois-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/illinois-law\/illinois-criminal-statute-of-limitations-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Illinois Criminal Statute of Limitations Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Illinois Criminal Statute of Limitations<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Like other states, Illinois’s criminal justice system has a certain time limit for filing a claim. This period is called the statute of limitations<\/a>. It serves as the time period for the prosecution to file a criminal case. In the state of Illinois, this time limit ranges from 18 months for minor offenses to no time limit for severe criminal actions.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Illinois statute of limitations. If someone has accused you of a crime, hire a criminal defense attorney<\/a> right away.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code Sections<\/th>\r\n

720 ILCS 5\/3-5<\/a>; 5\/3-7<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Felonies<\/th>\r\n
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  • For murder: No time limit.<\/li>\r\n
  • Second-degree murder: None.<\/li>\r\n
  • Attempt to commit first-degree murder: None.<\/li>\r\n
  • Criminal solicitation to commit murder: None.<\/li>\r\n
  • Involuntary manslaughter: None.<\/li>\r\n
  • Reckless homicide: None.<\/li>\r\n
  • Treason: None.<\/li>\r\n
  • Arson: None.<\/li>\r\n
  • Residential arson: None.<\/li>\r\n
  • Aggravated arson: None.<\/li>\r\n
  • Child pornography: None.<\/li>\r\n
  • Forgery: None.<\/li>\r\n
  • Criminal sexual assault: None.<\/li>\r\n
  • Any offense involving sexual conduct or sexual penetration of a minor in which the DNA profile of the offender is obtained and entered into a DNA database within 10 years after the commission of the offense: No time limit.<\/li>\r\n
  • Theft of property exceeding $100,000 in value: Seven years from the last act committed in furtherance of the crime.<\/li>\r\n
  • Identity theft: Seven years from the last act committed in furtherance of the crime.<\/li>\r\n
  • Aggravated identity theft: Seven years from the last act committed in furtherance of the crime.<\/li>\r\n
  • Financial exploitation of an elderly person or person with a disability: Seven years from the last act committed in furtherance of the crime.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Misdemeanors<\/th>\r\n

Within one year and six months after its commission. <\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Crimes against children<\/th>\r\n
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  • Child pornography: No time limit.<\/li>\r\n
  • Any offense involving sexual conduct or sexual penetration of a minor in which the prosecution obtained the DNA profile of the offender and entered it into a DNA database within 10 years after the commission of the offense: None.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Acts during which statute does not run<\/th>\r\n