HB2578 Summary

• Increases penalties for unlawful possession of weapons by felons from Class 3 felony to Class 1 felony (4-15 years imprisonment), with second or subsequent violations raised to Class X felony (6-30 years).

• Creates new offense of unlawful sale or delivery of firearms to persons convicted of felonies or street gang members, classified as Class 1 felony with second or subsequent violations being non-probationable.

• Lowers age requirement for habitual criminal designation from first offense committed at age 21 or older to person attaining age 18 at time of third offense, with sentence of natural life imprisonment.

• Removes requirement that first offense be committed at age 21 or older in Class X sentencing provision for defendant convicted of Class 1 or Class 2 felony after two prior felony convictions, and exempts theft offenses from this calculation.

• Makes selling firearms purchased or acquired out of state to felons or street gang members a Class 1 felony.