What Are the Penalties for Armed Robbery in Illinois?

 Posted on October 12, 2026 in Gun & Weapons Crimes

Armed robbery is a serious felony in Illinois that can lead to many years in prison. The penalties depend on the circumstances of the offense, including the type of weapon involved, whether a gun was fired, and whether anyone was injured.

If you are facing armed robbery charges in 2026, a Chicago criminal defense lawyer can explain the possible penalties and help you understand your legal options.

What Is Armed Robbery Under Illinois Law?

Armed robbery starts with robbery. Robbery means knowingly taking property from someone or from their immediate surroundings by using force or threatening to use force right away. Robbery on its own is usually a Class 2 felony. However, certain circumstances, such as a victim being 60 or older, can make it a Class 1 felony.

Under 720 ILCS 5/18-2, robbery becomes armed robbery when the person committing it has a firearm or another dangerous weapon with them. The law also covers cases where the person fires a gun during the robbery. The penalties are even harsher if the gunfire causes serious injuries, leaves someone with a permanent disability or lasting scars, or takes someone’s life.

The weapon does not have to be used or even displayed in some circumstances. And the property taken does not have to be valuable. Taking a phone at gunpoint carries the same classification as taking a large sum of cash.

How Much Prison Time Does Armed Robbery Carry in Illinois?

The base sentence for armed robbery is the Class X range of six to 30 years. There’s also a fine of up to $25,000. After prison, the person must follow certain rules and report to a supervising officer during a period called mandatory supervised release. Probation is not available at any level.

The type of weapon makes a big difference in the prison sentence. If the person has a dangerous weapon other than a gun, the standard sentence is six to 30 years. Having a gun during the robbery adds 15 years to that sentence. Firing it increases the added penalty to 20 years. If the gunfire causes serious injury, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, or someone’s death, the added penalty ranges from 25 years to life in prison.

These extra years are added to the prison sentence the judge chooses. A judge who decides eight years is appropriate in a case involving a firearm must then add 15, producing 23 years. However, judges can choose not to impose firearm enhancements when the defendant was under 18 at the time of the offense.

Armed robbery also requires serving 85 percent of the sentence when the court finds that the offense caused great bodily harm to a victim. Without that finding, a person may qualify for day-for-day sentence credit.

What Factors Make an Armed Robbery Sentence Worse in Illinois?

Several circumstances push a sentence toward the upper end of the range or trigger separate charges:

• Prior criminal convictions

• Injury to the victim beyond what the charge already accounts for

• A victim who was elderly, had a disability, or was a child

• An offense committed near a school or at a place of worship under circumstances covered by Illinois sentencing law

• Multiple victims, which can produce separate counts with consecutive sentences

• Helping someone commit the robbery, which can make you legally responsible for their actions

• A connection to organized criminal activity

Illinois allows charges against someone who did not personally take anything or carry a weapon but is alleged to have participated in the plan. Merely being present is not enough to establish accountability. However, driving a getaway car as part of the plan can support a charge.

What Defenses Apply to an Armed Robbery Charge in Illinois?

An armed robbery defense can challenge your involvement in the crime or the evidence supporting the charge. Witnesses can make mistakes, especially during a fast, frightening robbery. An attorney can review how police conducted photo lineups and whether evidence proves a weapon was involved.

Other defenses might include showing that you were elsewhere, questioning whether property was taken without consent, or challenging evidence obtained through an illegal search or improper police questioning in your case.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Cook County, IL Robbery Defense Attorney

Attorney James DiQuattro is aggressive in court and dedicated to the people he represents. He also defends clients under state and federal criminal investigation. That experience matters in an armed robbery case. Police often investigate phone records, surveillance footage, and information from witnesses before making an arrest. What happens before charges are filed can affect your defense.

Contact Law Offices of James F. DiQuattro at 312-627-9482 to talk to our Chicago criminal defense lawyer today.