The Illinois Homicide statutes (720 ILCS 5/9 et seq.) are summarized below:
Homicide | Statute | Key Feature |
---|---|---|
First Degree Murder | 720 ILCS 5/9-1(a) | intentional or knowing killing |
Felony Murder | 720 ILCS 5/9-1(a)(3) | death during commission of a felony offense |
Second Degree Murder | 720 ILCS 5/9-2 | mitigated first degree murder (unreasonable self dense or intense passion) |
Involuntary Manslaughter | 720 ILCS 5/9-3(a) | reckless conduct leading to a death |
Reckless Homicide | 720 ILCS 5/9-3(a) | death with reckless conduct involving motor vehicle |
Drug Induced Homicide | 720 ILCS 5/9-3.3 | death caused by delivery of a controlled substance |
First Degree Murder
Felony Murder
Second Degree Murder
Second degree murder is a lesser mitigated offense of first degree murder. In other words, a person commits first degree murder but then receives a lesser sentence if the murder was done under an unreasonable claim of self defense or a sudden and intense passion. See Second Degree Murder – 720 ILCS 5/9-2.