Aggravated vehicular hijacking in Illinois is taking a vehicle from someone by force or the threat of force, with at least one additional factor that makes the offense more serious. It is always a Class X felony, the most serious class below first-degree murder, and probation is not available. If you are facing this charge in 2026, a Cook County, IL violent crimes defense lawyer can explain exactly which subsection you are charged under and what it means.
What Makes a Hijacking Charge Aggravated in Illinois?
A hijacking charge becomes aggravated when any one of six listed factors is present. The base offense appears in 720 ILCS 5/18-3, which covers knowingly taking a motor vehicle from the person or the immediate presence of another by using force or threatening the imminent use of force. By itself, that is a Class 1 felony.