| ||||
| Public Act 097-0153 | ||||
| ||||
| ||||
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.
| ||