Bill Text: IL HB0167 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Prohibits knowingly discharging a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft in the process of taking off, landing, or while in flight. Provides that the penalty is a Class A misdemeanor. Defines "aircraft" and "laser".

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 8-5)

Status: (Passed) 2011-07-21 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 97-0153 [HB0167 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HB0167-Chaptered.html

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Public Act 097-0153
HB0167 Enrolled LRB097 02893 RLC 42917 b
AN ACT concerning criminal law.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Criminal Code of 1961 is amended by changing
the heading of Article 24.6 and Section 24.6-5 and by adding
Section 24.6-25 as follows:
(720 ILCS 5/Art. 24.6 heading)
ARTICLE 24.6. LASER AND LASER POINTERS
(720 ILCS 5/24.6-5)
Sec. 24.6-5. Definitions. In this Article:
"Aircraft" means any contrivance now known or hereafter
invented, used, or designed for navigation of or flight in the
air, but excluding parachutes.
"Laser" means both of the following:
(1) any device that utilizes the natural oscillations
of atoms or molecules between energy levels for generating
coherent electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet,
visible, or infrared region of the spectrum and when
discharged exceeds one milliwatt continuous wave;
(2) any device designed or used to amplify
electromagnetic radiation by simulated emission that is
visible to the human eye.

"Laser pointer" means a hand-held device that emits light
amplified by the stimulated emission of radiation that is
visible to the human eye.
"Laser sight" means a laser pointer that can be attached to
a firearm and can be used to improve the accuracy of the
firearm.
(Source: P.A. 91-252, eff. 1-1-00.)
(720 ILCS 5/24.6-25 new)
Sec. 24.6-25. Discharging a laser at an aircraft.
(a) A person commits discharging a laser at an aircraft
when he or she intentionally or knowingly aims and discharges a
laser or other device that creates visible light into the
cockpit of an aircraft that is in the process of taking off,
landing, or is in flight.
(b) Exceptions. This Section does not apply to the
following individuals who aim and discharge a laser or other
device at an aircraft:
(1) an authorized individual in the conduct of research
and development or flight test operations conducted by an
aircraft manufacturer, the Federal Aviation
Administration, or any other person authorized by the
Federal Aviation Administration to conduct such research
and development or flight test operations; or
(2) members or elements of the Department of Defense or
Department of Homeland Security acting in an official

capacity for the purpose of research, development,
operations, testing, or training.
(c) Sentence. Discharging a laser at an aircraft is a Class
A misdemeanor.