Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Chicago is a city with deep roots in finance, commerce, and community life. From the business towers in the Loop to residential areas like Albany Park and Bronzeville, the city runs on trust between residents, financial institutions, and local services. When that trust is broken by accusations of identity theft—particularly when the alleged victim is someone with a disability—law enforcement takes an aggressive approach.
Under Illinois law, aggravated identity theft is not treated like ordinary financial misconduct. It is considered an attack on the integrity of vulnerable residents, and the charge carries felony penalties. The statute at the heart of these cases is 720 ILCS 5/16-30, which outlines the offense of identity theft, and subsection (b) which covers aggravated identity theft. When prosecutors believe the victim is disabled, the charge escalates automatically, making it a Class 2 felony at minimum.
Unlike some lower-level crimes in Illinois that may be treated as misdemeanors, aggravated identity theft is never a misdemeanor. It is always a felony, and often one that draws heavy scrutiny from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s financial crimes division. Even first-time offenders can face years in prison, alongside steep financial penalties.
