HB4746 Summary

• Creates the Critical Infrastructure Protection Law Article in Illinois Criminal Code with criminal penalties for damaging, destroying, vandalizing, defacing, tampering with, or stealing equipment from 20 specified types of critical infrastructure facilities (refineries, power plants, water treatment plants, pipelines, communications infrastructure, airports, etc.)

• Establishes felony charges based on property value: Class 4 felony for under $500, Class 3 felony for $500-$10,000, and Class 2 felony for over $10,000, with mandatory fines of $5,000-$20,000

• Makes conspiracy to violate the law a Class 3 felony with fines of $5,000-$10,000, and receiving stolen property from critical infrastructure facilities subject to same felony classification and fines

• Imposes civil liability requiring violators to pay compensatory damages plus punitive damages of at least 3 times the compensatory amount; applies same liability to anyone compensating or reminerating persons for stolen critical infrastructure property (with affirmative defense for bona fide purchasers without knowledge)

• Authorizes forfeiture of all personal property and conveyances used or intended for use in theft or damage to critical infrastructure, following Drug Asset Forfeiture Procedure Act, with exceptions for common carriers, innocent owners, and secured creditors