Find Legal Information

730 ILCS 148/ Arsonist Registration Act.

    (730 ILCS 148/1)
    Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Arsonist Registration Act.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/5)
    Sec. 5. Definitions. In this Act:
    (a) "Arsonist" means any person who is:
         (1) charged under Illinois law, or any

substantially similar federal, Uniform Code of Military Justice, sister state, or foreign country law, with an arson offense, set forth in subsection (b) of this Section or the attempt to commit an included arson offense, and:

(i) is convicted of such offense or an attempt

to commit such offense; or

(ii) is found not guilty by reason of insanity of

such offense or an attempt to commit such offense; or

(iii) is found not guilty by reason of insanity

under subsection (c) of Section 104‑25 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 of such offense or an attempt to commit such offense; or

(iv) is the subject of a finding not resulting in

an acquittal at a hearing conducted under subsection (a) of Section 104‑25 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 for the alleged commission or attempted commission of such offense; or

(v) is found not guilty by reason of insanity

following a hearing conducted under a federal, Uniform Code of Military Justice, sister state, or foreign country law substantially similar to subsection (c) of Section 104‑25 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 of such offense or of the attempted commission of such offense; or

(vi) is the subject of a finding not resulting in

an acquittal at a hearing conducted under a federal, Uniform Code of Military Justice, sister state, or foreign country law substantially similar to subsection (a) of Section 104‑25 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 for the alleged violation or attempted commission of such offense;

(2) is a minor who has been tried and convicted in an

adult criminal prosecution as the result of committing or attempting to commit an offense specified in subsection (b) of this Section or a violation of any substantially similar federal, Uniform Code of Military Justice, sister state, or foreign country law. Convictions that result from or are connected with the same act, or result from offenses committed at the same time, shall be counted for the purpose of this Act as one conviction. Any conviction set aside under law is not a conviction for purposes of this Act.

(b) "Arson offense" means:         (1) A violation of any of the following Sections of

the Criminal Code of 1961:

(i) 20‑1 (arson),             (ii) 20‑1.1 (aggravated arson),             (iii) 20‑1.2 (residential arson),             (iv) 20‑1.3 (place of worship arson),             (v) 20‑2 (possession of explosives or explosive

or incendiary devices), or

(vi) An attempt to commit any of the offenses

listed in clauses (i) through (v).

(2) A violation of any former law of this State

substantially equivalent to any offense listed in subsection (b) of this Section.

(c) A conviction for an offense of federal law, Uniform

Code of Military Justice, or the law of another state or a foreign country that is substantially equivalent to any offense listed in subsection (b) of this Section shall constitute a conviction for the purpose of this Act.

(d) "Law enforcement agency having jurisdiction" means

the Chief of Police in each of the municipalities in which the arsonist expects to reside, work, or attend school (1) upon his or her discharge, parole or release or (2) during the service of his or her sentence of probation or conditional discharge, or the Sheriff of the county, in the event no Police Chief exists or if the offender intends to reside, work, or attend school in an unincorporated area. "Law enforcement agency having jurisdiction" includes the location where out‑of‑state students attend school and where out‑of‑state employees are employed or are otherwise required to register.

(e) "Out‑of‑state student" means any arsonist, as defined

in this Section, who is enrolled in Illinois, on a full‑time or part‑time basis, in any public or private educational institution, including, but not limited to, any secondary school, trade or professional institution, or institution of higher learning.

(f) "Out‑of‑state employee" means any arsonist, as

defined in this Section, who works in Illinois, regardless of whether the individual receives payment for services performed, for a period of time of 10 or more days or for an aggregate period of time of 30 or more days during any calendar year. Persons who operate motor vehicles in the State accrue one day of employment time for any portion of a day spent in Illinois.

(g) "I‑CLEAR" means the Illinois Citizens and Law Enforcement Analysis and Reporting System. (Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/10)
    Sec. 10. Duty to register.
    (a) An arsonist shall, within the time period prescribed in subsections (b) and (c), register in person and provide accurate information as required by the Department of State Police. Such information shall include current address, current place of employment, and school attended. The arsonist shall register:
        (1) with the chief of police in each of the

municipalities in which he or she attends school, is employed, resides or is temporarily domiciled for a period of time of 10 or more days, unless the municipality is the City of Chicago, in which case he or she shall register at the Chicago Police Department Headquarters; or

(2) with the sheriff in each of the counties in

which he or she attends school, is employed, resides or is temporarily domiciled in an unincorporated area or, if incorporated, no police chief exists. For purposes of this Act, the place of residence or temporary domicile is defined as any and all places where the arsonist resides for an aggregate period of time of 10 or more days during any calendar year. The arsonist shall provide accurate information as required by the Department of State Police. That information shall include the arsonist's current place of employment.

(a‑5) An out‑of‑state student or out‑of‑state employee

shall, within 10 days after beginning school or employment in this State, register in person and provide accurate information as required by the Department of State Police. Such information must include current place of employment, school attended, and address in state of residence:

(1) with the chief of police in each of the

municipalities in which he or she attends school or is employed for a period of time of 10 or more days or for an aggregate period of time of more than 30 days during any calendar year, unless the municipality is the City of Chicago, in which case he or she shall register at the Chicago Police Department Headquarters; or

(2) with the sheriff in each of the counties in

which he or she attends school or is employed for a period of time of 10 or more days or for an aggregate period of time of more than 30 days during any calendar year in an unincorporated area or, if incorporated, no police chief exists. The out‑of‑state student or out‑of‑state employee shall provide accurate information as required by the Department of State Police. That information shall include the out‑of‑state student's current place of school attendance or the out‑of‑state employee's current place of employment.

(b) An arsonist as defined in Section 5 of this Act,

regardless of any initial, prior, or other registration, shall, within 10 days of beginning school, or establishing a residence, place of employment, or temporary domicile in any county, register in person as set forth in subsection (a) or (a‑5).

(c) The registration for any person required to register

under this Act shall be as follows:

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this

subsection (c), any person who has not been notified of his or her responsibility to register shall be notified by a criminal justice entity of his or her responsibility to register. Upon notification the person must then register within 10 days of notification of his or her requirement to register. If notification is not made within the offender's 10 year registration requirement, and the Department of State Police determines no evidence exists or indicates the offender attempted to avoid registration, the offender will no longer be required to register under this Act.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this

subsection (c), any person convicted on or after the effective date of this Act shall register in person within 10 days after the entry of the sentencing order based upon his or her conviction.

(3) Any person unable to comply with the

registration requirements of this Act because he or she is confined, institutionalized, or imprisoned in Illinois on or after the effective date of this Act shall register in person within 10 days of discharge, parole or release.

(4) The person shall provide positive identification

and documentation that substantiates proof of residence at the registering address.

(5) The person shall pay a $10 initial registration

fee and a $5 annual renewal fee. The fees shall be used by the registering agency for official purposes. The agency shall establish procedures to document receipt and use of the funds. The law enforcement agency having jurisdiction may waive the registration fee if it determines that the person is indigent and unable to pay the registration fee.

(d) Within 10 days after obtaining or changing

employment, a person required to register under this Section must report, in person or in writing to the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction, the business name and address where he or she is employed. If the person has multiple businesses or work locations, every business and work location must be reported to the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.

(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/15)
    Sec. 15. Discharge of arsonist from penal institution. Any arsonist who is discharged, paroled or released from a Department of Corrections facility, a facility where such person was placed by the Department of Corrections or another penal institution, and whose liability for registration has not terminated under Section 45 shall, within 10 days prior to discharge, parole, or release from the facility or institution, be informed of his or her duty to register in person under this Act by the facility or institution in which he or she was confined. The facility or institution shall also inform any person who must register that if he or she establishes a residence outside of the State of Illinois, is employed outside of the State of Illinois, or attends school outside of the State of Illinois, he or she must register in the new state within 10 days after establishing the residence, beginning employment, or beginning school. The facility shall require the person to read and sign such form as may be required by the Department of State Police stating that the duty to register and the procedure for registration has been explained to him or her and that he or she understands the duty to register and the procedure for registration. The facility shall further advise the person in writing that the failure to register or other violation of this Act shall result in revocation of parole, mandatory supervised release or conditional release. The facility shall obtain information about where the person expects to reside, work, and attend school upon his or her discharge, parole or release and shall report the information to the Department of State Police. The facility shall give one copy of the form to the person and shall send one copy to each of the law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction where the person expects to reside, work, and attend school upon his or her discharge, parole or release and retain one copy for the files. Electronic data files that include all notification form information and photographs of arsonists being released from an Illinois Department of Corrections facility shall be shared on a regular basis as determined between the Department of State Police and the Department of Corrections.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/20)
    Sec. 20. Release of arsonist on probation. An arsonist who is released on probation shall, prior to such release, be informed of his or her duty to register under this Act by the court in which he or she was convicted. The court shall also inform any person who must register that if he or she establishes a residence outside of the State of Illinois, is employed outside of the State of Illinois, or attends school outside of the State of Illinois, he or she must register in the new state within 10 days after establishing the residence, beginning employment, or beginning school. The court shall require the person to read and sign such form as may be required by the Department of State Police stating that the duty to register and the procedure for registration has been explained to him or her and that he or she understands the duty to register and the procedure for registration. The court shall further advise the person in writing that the failure to register or other violation of this Act shall result in probation revocation. The court shall obtain information about where the person expects to reside, work, and attend school upon his or her release, and shall report the information to the Department of State Police. The court shall give one copy of the form to the person and retain the original in the court records. The Department of State Police shall notify the law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction where the person expects to reside, work and attend school upon his or her release.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/25)
    Sec. 25. Discharge of arsonist from hospital or other treatment facility. Any arsonist who is discharged or released from a hospital or other treatment facility where he or she was confined shall be informed by the hospital or treatment facility in which he or she was confined, prior to discharge or release from the hospital or treatment facility, of his or her duty to register under this Act. The facility shall require the person to read and sign such form as may be required by the Department of State Police stating that the duty to register and the procedure for registration has been explained to him or her and that he or she understands the duty to register and the procedure for registration. The facility shall give one copy of the form to the person, retain one copy for its records, and forward the original to the Department of State Police. The facility shall obtain information about where the person expects to reside, work, and attend school upon his or her discharge, parole, or release and shall report the information to the Department of State Police within 3 days. The facility or institution shall also inform any person who must register that if he or she establishes a residence outside of the State of Illinois, is employed outside of the State of Illinois, or attends school outside of the State of Illinois, he or she must register in the new state within 10 days after establishing the residence, beginning school, or beginning employment. The Department of State Police shall notify the law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction where the person expects to reside, work, and attend school upon his or her release.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/30)
    Sec. 30. Nonforwardable verification letter. The Department of State Police shall mail an annual nonforwardable verification letter to a person registered under this Act beginning one year from the date of his or her last registration. A person required to register under this Act who is mailed a verification letter shall complete, sign, and return the enclosed verification form to the Department of State Police postmarked within 10 days after the mailing date of the letter. A person's failure to return the verification form to the Department of State Police within 10 days after the mailing date of the letter shall be considered a violation of this Act; however it is an affirmative defense to a prosecution for failure of a person who is required to return a verification form to the Department of State Police if the post office fails to deliver the verification form to the Department of State Police or if it can be proven that the form has been lost by the Department.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/35)
    Sec. 35. Duty to report change of address, school, or employment. Any person who is required to register under this Act shall report in person to the appropriate law enforcement agency with whom he or she last registered within one year from the date of last registration and every year thereafter. If any person required to register under this Act changes his or her residence address, place of employment, or school, he or she shall, in writing, within 10 days inform the law enforcement agency with whom he or she last registered of his or her new address, change in employment, or school and register with the appropriate law enforcement agency within the time period specified in Section 10. The law enforcement agency shall, within 3 days of receipt, notify the Department of State Police and the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction of the new place of residence, change in employment, or school. If any person required to register under this Act establishes a residence or employment outside of the State of Illinois, within 10 days after establishing that residence or employment, he or she shall, in writing, inform the law enforcement agency with which he or she last registered of his or her out‑of‑state residence or employment. The law enforcement agency with which such person last registered shall, within 3 days notice of an address or employment change, notify the Department of State Police. The Department of State Police shall forward such information to the out‑of‑state law enforcement agency having jurisdiction in the form and manner prescribed by the Department of State Police.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/40)
    Sec. 40. Out‑of‑State employee or student. Every out‑of‑state student or out‑of‑state employee must notify the agency having jurisdiction of any change of employment or change of educational status, in writing, within 10 days of the change. The law enforcement agency shall, within 3 days after receiving the notice, enter the appropriate changes into I‑CLEAR.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/45)
    Sec. 45. Duration of registration. Any person, other than a minor who is tried and convicted in an adult criminal prosecution for an offense for which the person is required to register under this Act, who is required to register under this Act shall be required to register for a period of 10 years after conviction if not confined to a penal institution, hospital or any other institution or facility, and if confined, for a period of 10 years after parole, discharge or release from any such facility. A minor who has been tried and convicted in an adult criminal prosecution for an offense for which the person is required to register under this Act shall be required to register for a period of 10 years after his or her conviction for an offense for which the person is required to register under this Act. An arsonist who is allowed to leave a county, State, or federal facility for the purposes of work release, education, or overnight visitations shall be required to register within 10 days of beginning such a program. Liability for registration terminates at the expiration of 10 years from the date of conviction if not confined to a penal institution, hospital or any other institution or facility and if confined, at the expiration of 10 years from the date of parole, discharge or release from any such facility, providing such person does not, during that period, again become liable to register under the provisions of this Act. In the case of a minor who is tried and convicted in an adult criminal prosecution, liability for registration terminates 10 years after conviction. The Director of State Police, consistent with administrative rules, shall extend for 10 years the registration period of any arsonist who fails to comply with the provisions of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/50)
    Sec. 50. Registration requirements. Registration as required by this Act shall consist of a statement in writing signed by the person giving the information that is required by the Department of State Police, which may include the fingerprints and must include a photograph of the person. The registration information must include whether the person is an arsonist. Within 3 days, the registering law enforcement agency shall forward any required information to the Department of State Police. The registering law enforcement agency shall enter the information into I‑CLEAR as provided in Section 2605‑378 of the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/55)
    Sec. 55. Address verification requirements. The agency having jurisdiction shall verify the address of arsonists required to register with their agency at least once per calendar year. The verification must be documented in I‑CLEAR in the form and manner required by the Department of State Police.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/60)
    Sec. 60. Public inspection of registration data.
    (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), the statements or any other information required by this Act shall not be open to inspection by the public, or by any person other than by a law enforcement officer or other individual as may be authorized by law and shall include law enforcement agencies of this State, any other state, or of the federal government. Similar information may be requested from any law enforcement agency of another state or of the federal government for purposes of this Act. It is a Class B misdemeanor to permit the unauthorized release of any information required by this Act.
    (b) The Department of State Police shall furnish to the Office of the State Fire Marshal the registration information concerning persons who are required to register under this Act. The Office of the State Fire Marshal shall establish and maintain a Statewide Arsonist Database for the purpose of making that information available to the public on the Internet by means of a hyperlink labeled "Arsonist Information" on the Office of the State Fire Marshal's website.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/65)
    Sec. 65. Penalty. Any person who is required to register under this Act who violates any of the provisions of this Act and any person who is required to register under this Act who seeks to change his or her name under Article 21 of the Code of Civil Procedure is guilty of a Class 4 felony. Any person who is required to register under this Act who knowingly or wilfully gives material information required by this Act that is false is guilty of a Class 3 felony. Any person convicted of a violation of any provision of this Act shall, in addition to any other penalty required by law, be required to serve a minimum period of 7 days confinement in the local county jail. The court shall impose a mandatory minimum fine of $500 for failure to comply with any provision of this Act. These fines shall be deposited in the Arsonist Registration Fund. An arsonist who violates any provision of this Act may be tried in any Illinois county where the arsonist can be located.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/70)
    Sec. 70. Arsonist Registration Fund. There is created in the State treasury the Arsonist Registration Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used to cover costs incurred by the criminal justice system to administer this Act. The Department of State Police shall establish and promulgate rules and procedures regarding the administration of this Fund. At least 50% of the moneys in the Fund shall be allocated by the Department for sheriffs' offices and police departments.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/75)
    Sec. 75. Access to State of Illinois databases. The Department of State Police shall have access to State of Illinois databases containing information that may help in the identification or location of persons required to register under this Act. Interagency agreements shall be implemented, consistent with security and procedures established by the State agency and consistent with the laws governing the confidentiality of the information in the databases. Information shall be used only for administration of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/80)
    Sec. 80. Applicability. Until the Department of State Police establishes I‑CLEAR throughout this State, this Act applies only to arsonists who reside, are employed, or attend school within the City of Chicago. Once I‑CLEAR is established throughout this State, this Act applies throughout the State to arsonists who reside, are employed, or attend school anywhere in this State. Any duties imposed upon the Department of State Police by this Act are subject to appropriation and shall not commence until I‑CLEAR is implemented throughout this State and until such time, those duties shall be imposed upon the City of Chicago.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/85)
    Sec. 85. Prospective application of Act. This Act applies only to persons who commit arson on or after the effective date of this Act and shall not apply to any person who committed arson before the effective date of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)

    (730 ILCS 148/105)
    Sec. 105. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05; text omitted.)

    (730 ILCS 148/110)
    Sec. 110. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05; text omitted.)

    (730 ILCS 148/999)
    Sec. 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2005.
(Source: P.A. 93‑949, eff. 1‑1‑05.)