Menu
To open Article 33, Illinois legislators address the crime of bribery. One might wonder, what qualifies as bribery? There are many situations in which someone might find themselves charged with bribery.
For example, if a person tries to influence the performance of any public officer, public employee, juror or witness by offering something of value, he or she can be criminally prosecuted for bribery. In addition, this clause also prohibits any of the above listed individuals from accepting a bribe. Both offenses are Class 2 felonies. A public officer can also be charged with a crime if he or she fails to report a bribe. A violation is a Class A misdemeanor.
The last type of bribery discussed in Article 33 is bribery to obtain driving privileges. This crime occurs when a person offers something of value to someone who is authorized to issue drivers licenses or administer a drivers examination. Considered more serious by Illinois criminal law, this offense qualifies as a Class 2 felony.
Need an Illinois criminal defense attorney? If you've been charged with bribery in Illinois, call our Chicago criminal defense attorneys today at (312) 466-9466 to discuss your case.
The text below comes from Article 33 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961. This law may have changed -- please read the important legal disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
Illinois Criminal Code of 1961 - Article 33
Sec. 33-1. Bribery. A person commits bribery when:
(720 ILCS 5/33-1)
(a) With intent to influence the performance of any act related to the employment or function of any public officer, public employee, juror or witness, he promises or tenders to that person any property or personal advantage which he is not authorized by law to accept; or
(b) With intent to influence the performance of any act related to the employment or function of any public officer, public employee, juror or witness, he promises or tenders to one whom he believes to be a public officer, public employee, juror or witness, any property or personal advantage which a public officer, public employee, juror or witness would not be authorized by law to accept; or
(c) With intent to cause any person to influence the performance of any act related to the employment or function of any public officer, public employee, juror or witness, he promises or tenders to that person any property or personal advantage which he is not authorized by law to accept; or
(d) He receives, retains or agrees to accept any property or personal advantage which he is not authorized by law to accept knowing that such property or personal advantage was promised or tendered with intent to cause him to influence the performance of any act related to the employment or function of any public officer, public employee, juror or witness; or
(e) He solicits, receives, retains, or agrees to accept any property or personal advantage pursuant to an understanding that he shall improperly influence or attempt to influence the performance of any act related to the employment or function of any public officer, public employee, juror or witness.
(f) Sentence.
Bribery is a Class 2 felony. (Source: P.A. 84-761.)
Sec. 33-2. Failure to report a bribe.
(720 ILCS 5/33-2)
Any public officer, public employee or juror who fails to report forthwith to the local State's Attorney, or in the case of a State employee to the Department of State Police, any offer made to him in violation of Section 33-1 commits a Class A misdemeanor.
In the case of a State employee, the making of such report to the Department of State Police shall discharge such employee from any further duty under this Section. Upon receiving any such report, the Department of State Police shall forthwith transmit a copy thereof to the appropriate State's Attorney. (Source: P.A. 84-25.)
Sec. 33-6. Bribery to obtain driving privileges.
(720 ILCS 5/33-6)
(a) A person commits the offense of bribery to obtain driving privileges when: (1) with intent to influence any act related to the issuance of any driver's license or permit by an employee of the Illinois Secretary of State's Office, or the owner or employee of any commercial driver exam training school licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State, or any other individual authorized by the laws of this State to give driving instructions or administer all or part of a driver's license examination, he or she promises or tenders to that person any property or personal advantage which that person is not authorized by law to accept; or
(2) with intent to cause any person to influence any act related to the issuance of any driver's license or permit by an employee of the Illinois Secretary of State's Office, or the owner or employee of any commercial driver exam training school licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State, or any other individual authorized by the laws of this State to give driving instructions or administer all or part of a driver's license examination, he or she promises or tenders to that person any property or personal advantage which that person is not authorized by law to accept; or
(3) as an employee of the Illinois Secretary of State's Office, or the owner or employee of any commercial driver exam training school licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State, or any other individual authorized by the laws of this State to give driving instructions or administer all or part of a driver's license examination, solicits, receives, retains, or agrees to accept any property or personal advantage that he or she is not authorized by law to accept knowing that such property or personal advantage was promised or tendered with intent to influence the performance of any act related to the issuance of any driver's license or permit; or
(4) as an employee of the Illinois Secretary of State's Office, or the owner or employee of any commercial driver exam training school licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State, or any other individual authorized by the laws of this State to give driving instructions or administer all or part of a driver's license examination, solicits, receives, retains, or agrees to accept any property or personal advantage pursuant to an understanding that he or she shall improperly influence or attempt to influence the performance of any act related to the issuance of any driver's license or permit.
(b) Sentence. Bribery to obtain driving privileges is a Class 2 felony. (Source: P.A. 96-740, eff. 1-1-10.)
Return to Illinois Criminal Code of 1961 Table of Contents
DISCLAIMER: These excerpts from the law are provided for reference purposes only. Visitors to our Chicago criminal defense lawyer website should be aware that Illinois criminal laws have been amended many times and that Illinois crime laws posted on this site may not be current. In addition, Illinois criminal case law defines precedents for legal determinations that are not defined in the original laws.
We Accept Flexible Payments
312-466-9466