97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
SB1709
 
Introduced 2/9/2011, by Sen. Ira I. Silverstein
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
  
720 ILCS 5/Art. 24.6 heading
720 ILCS 5/24.6-5
720 ILCS 5/24.6-25 new

     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".  Provides exemptions for: (1) authorized individuals 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; and (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.
  


LRB097 10064 RLC 50241 b

CORRECTIONAL BUDGET AND IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
 
 
A BILL FOR
 

  
SB1709LRB097 10064 RLC 50241 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning criminal law.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 5. The Criminal Code of 1961 is amended  by changing 
5the heading of Article 24.6 and Section 24.6-5 and  by adding 
6Section 24.6-25 as follows:
 

7    (720 ILCS 5/Art. 24.6 heading)
8
ARTICLE 24.6.  LASERS AND  LASER POINTERS


 



9    (720 ILCS 5/24.6-5)



10    Sec. 24.6-5. Definitions. In this Article:

11    "Aircraft" means any contrivance now known or hereafter 
12invented, used, or designed for navigation of or flight in the 
13air, but excluding parachutes. 
14    "Laser" means either of the following:
15        (1) a device that utilizes the natural oscillations of 
16    atoms or molecules between energy levels for generating 
17    coherent electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, 
18    visible, or infrared region of the spectrum and when 
19    discharged exceeds one milliwatt continuous wave;
20        (2) any device designed or used to amplify 
21    electromagnetic radiation by simulated emission that is 
22    visible to the human eye. 
 
 
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1    "Laser pointer" means a hand-held device that emits light 
2amplified by the
stimulated emission of radiation that is 
3visible to the human eye.

4    "Laser sight" means a laser pointer that can be attached to 
5a firearm and can
be used to improve the accuracy of the 
6firearm.

7(Source: P.A. 91-252, eff. 1-1-00.)

 
8    (720 ILCS 5/24.6-25 new)
9    Sec. 24.6-25. Discharging a laser at an aircraft. 
10    (a) A person commits discharging a laser at an aircraft 
11when he or she intentionally or knowingly aims and discharges a 
12laser or other device that creates visible light into the 
13cockpit of an aircraft that is in the process of taking off, 
14landing, or is in flight.
15    (b) Exceptions. This Section does not apply to the 
16following individuals who aim and discharge a laser or other 
17device at an aircraft:
18        (1) an authorized individual in the conduct of research 
19    and development or flight test operations conducted by an 
20    aircraft manufacturer, the Federal Aviation 
21    Administration, or any other person authorized by the 
22    Federal Aviation Administration to conduct such research 
23    and development or flight test operations; or
24        (2) members or elements of the Department of Defense or 
25    Department of Homeland Security acting in an official 
 
 
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1    capacity for the purpose of research, development, 
2    operations, testing, or training.
3    (c) Sentence. Discharging a laser at an aircraft is a Class 
4A misdemeanor.