HB6949 Summary

• Amends Section 21-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 to define "property of another" as a building or property in which a person other than the offender has an interest that the offender has no authority to defeat or impair, even if the offender also has an interest in the property.

• Maintains existing criminal damage to property offense classifications including Class A misdemeanors for damage not exceeding $300 and various felony levels (Class 4, 3, 2, and 1) based on damage amounts and whether the property is a school, place of worship, or farm equipment.

• Requires courts to impose a mandatory fine equal to the value of damages when property damage exceeds $10,000.

• Mandates convicted offenders perform 30 to 120 hours of community service, if available and funded by the county, except when a sentence of incarceration is imposed.

• Establishes civil liability of up to twice the market value for persons convicted of knowingly damaging or destroying crops of another, including crops intended for personal, commercial, research, or developmental purposes.