§ 3-6

(Text of Section from P.A. 103-1071) Sec. 3-6. Extended limitations. The period within which a prosecution must be commenced under the provisions of Section 3-5 or other applicable statute is extended under the following conditions: (a) A prosecution for theft involving a breach of a fiduciary obligation to the aggrieved person may be commenced as follows: (1) If the aggrieved person is a minor or a person under legal disability, then during the minority or legal disability or within one year after the termination thereof. (2) In any other instance, within one year after the discovery of the offense by an aggrieved person, or by a person who has legal capacity to represent an aggrieved person or has a legal duty to report the offense, and is not himself or herself a party to the offense; or in the absence of such discovery, within one year after the proper prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense. However, in no such case is the period of limitation so extended more than 3 years beyond the expiration of the period otherwise applicable. (b) A prosecution for any offense based upon misconduct in office by a public officer or employee may be commenced within one year after discovery of the offense by a person having a legal duty to report such offense, or in the absence of such discovery, within one year after the proper prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense. However, in no such case is the period of limitation so extended more than 3 years beyond the expiration of the period otherwise applicable. (b-5) When the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons and related offenses under Section 10-9 of this Code may be commenced within 25 years of the victim attaining the age of 18 years. (b-6) When the victim is 18 years of age or over at the time of the offense, a prosecution for involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons and related offenses under Section 10-9 of this Code may be commenced within 25 years after the commission of the offense. (b-7) When the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for female genital mutilation may be commenced at any time. (c) (Blank). (d) A prosecution for child pornography, aggravated child pornography, indecent solicitation of a child, soliciting for a sexually exploited child, juvenile pimping, exploitation of a child, or promoting commercial sexual exploitation of a child except for keeping a place of commercial sexual exploitation of a child may be commenced within one year of the victim attaining the age of 18 years. However, in no such case shall the time period for prosecution expire sooner than 3 years after the commission of the offense. (e) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (j), a prosecution for any offense involving sexual conduct or sexual penetration, as defined in Section 11-0.1 of this Code, where the defendant was within a professional or fiduciary relationship or a purported professional or fiduciary relationship with the victim at the time of the commission of the offense may be commenced within one year after the discovery of the offense by the victim. (f) A prosecution for any offense set forth in Section 44 of the Environmental Protection Act may be commenced within 5 years after the discovery of such an offense by a person or agency having the legal duty to report the offense or in the absence of such discovery, within 5 years after the proper prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense. (f-5) A prosecution for any offense set forth in Section 16-30 of this Code may be commenced within 5 years after the discovery of the offense by the victim of that offense. (g) (Blank). (h) (Blank). (i) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (j), a prosecution for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse may be commenced at any time. If the victim consented to the collection of evidence using an Illinois State Police Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit under the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act, it shall constitute reporting for purposes of this Section. Nothing in this subdivision (i) shall be construed to shorten a period within which a prosecution must be commenced under any other provision of this Section. (i-5) A prosecution for armed robbery, home invasion, kidnapping, or aggravated kidnaping may be commenced within 10 years of the commission of the offense if it arises out of the same course of conduct and meets the criteria under one of the offenses in subsection (i) of this Section. (j) (1) When the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, felony criminal sexual abuse, or female genital mutilation may be commenced at any time. (2) When in circumstances other than as described in paragraph (1) of this subsection (j), when the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for failure of a person who is required to report an alleged or suspected commission of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, or felony criminal sexual abuse under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act may be commenced within 20 years after the child victim attains 18 years of age. (3) When the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for misdemeanor criminal sexual abuse may be commenced within 10 years after the child victim attains 18 years of age. (4) Nothing in this subdivision (j) shall be construed to shorten a period within which a prosecution must be commenced under any other provision of this Section. (j-5) A prosecution for armed robbery, home invasion, kidnapping, or aggravated kidnaping may be commenced at any time if it arises out of the same course of conduct and meets the criteria under one of the offenses in subsection (j) of this Section. (k) (Blank). (l) A prosecution for any offense set forth in Section 26-4 of this Code may be commenced within one year after the discovery of the offense by the victim of that offense. (l-5) A prosecution for any offense involving sexual conduct or sexual penetration, as defined in Section 11-0.1 of this Code, in which the victim was 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense, may be commenced within one year after the discovery of the offense by the victim when corroborating physical evidence is available. The charging document shall state that the statute of limitations is extended under this subsection (l-5) and shall state the circumstances justifying the extension. Nothing in this subsection (l-5) shall be construed to shorten a period within which a prosecution must be commenced under any other provision of this Section or Section 3-5 of this Code. (m) The prosecution shall not be required to prove at trial facts which extend the general limitations in Section 3-5 of this Code when the facts supporting extension of the period of general limitations are properly pled in the charging document. Any challenge relating to the extension of the general limitations period as defined in this Section shall be exclusively conducted under Section 114-1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. (n) A prosecution for any offense set forth in subsection (a), (b), or (c) of Section 8A-3 or Section 8A-13 of the Illinois Public Aid Code, in which the total amount of money involved is $5,000 or more, including the monetary value of food stamps and the value of commodities under Section 16-1 of this Code may be commenced within 5 years of the last act committed in furtherance of the offense. (o) A prosecution for any offense based upon fraudulent activity connected to COVID-19-related relief programs, to include the Paycheck Protection Program, COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, and the Unemployment Benefit Programs shall be commenced within 5 years after discovery of the offense by a person having a legal duty to report such offense, or in the absence of such discovery, within 5 years after the proper prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense. However, in no such case is the period of limitation so extended more than 10 years beyond the expiration of the period otherwise applicable. (Source: P.A. 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 103-184, eff. 1-1-24; 103-1071, eff. 7-1-25.) (Text of Section from P.A. 104-241) Sec. 3-6. Extended limitations. The period within which a prosecution must be commenced under the provisions of Section 3-5 or other applicable statute is extended under the following conditions: (a) A prosecution for theft involving a breach of a fiduciary obligation to the aggrieved person may be commenced as follows: (1) If the aggrieved person is a minor or a person under legal disability, then during the minority or legal disability or within one year after the termination thereof. (2) In any other instance, within one year after the discovery of the offense by an aggrieved person, or by a person who has legal capacity to represent an aggrieved person or has a legal duty to report the offense, and is not himself or herself a party to the offense; or in the absence of such discovery, within one year after the proper prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense. However, in no such case is the period of limitation so extended more than 3 years beyond the expiration of the period otherwise applicable. (b) A prosecution for any offense based upon misconduct in office by a public officer or employee may be commenced within one year after discovery of the offense by a person having a legal duty to report such offense, or in the absence of such discovery, within one year after the proper prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense. However, in no such case is the period of limitation so extended more than 3 years beyond the expiration of the period otherwise applicable. (b-5)(1) When the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons and related offenses under Section 10-9 of this Code may be commenced within 25 years of the victim attaining the age of 18 years. (2) When the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons and related offenses under Section 10-9 of this Code may be commenced at any time. This paragraph (2) applies to prosecutions for such conduct arising on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly. (b-6) When the victim is 18 years of age or over at the time of the offense, a prosecution for involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons and related offenses under Section 10-9 of this Code may be commenced within 25 years after the commission of the offense. (b-7) When the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for female genital mutilation may be commenced at any time. (c) (Blank). (d) A prosecution for child pornography, aggravated child pornography, indecent solicitation of a child, soliciting for a juvenile prostitute, juvenile pimping, exploitation of a child, or promoting juvenile prostitution except for keeping a place of juvenile prostitution may be commenced within one year of the victim attaining the age of 18 years. However, in no such case shall the time period for prosecution expire sooner than 3 years after the commission of the offense. (e) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (j), a prosecution for any offense involving sexual conduct or sexual penetration, as defined in Section 11-0.1 of this Code, where the defendant was within a professional or fiduciary relationship or a purported professional or fiduciary relationship with the victim at the time of the commission of the offense may be commenced within one year after the discovery of the offense by the victim. (f) A prosecution for any offense set forth in Section 44 of the Environmental Protection Act may be commenced within 5 years after the discovery of such an offense by a person or agency having the legal duty to report the offense or in the absence of such discovery, within 5 years after the proper prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense. (f-5) A prosecution for any offense set forth in Section 16-30 of this Code may be commenced within 5 years after the discovery of the offense by the victim of that offense. (g) (Blank). (h) (Blank). (i) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (j), a prosecution for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse may be commenced at any time. If the victim consented to the collection of evidence using an Illinois State Police Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit under the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act, it shall constitute reporting for purposes of this Section. Nothing in this subdivision (i) shall be construed to shorten a period within which a prosecution must be commenced under any other provision of this Section. (i-5) A prosecution for armed robbery, home invasion, kidnapping, or aggravated kidnaping may be commenced within 10 years of the commission of the offense if it arises out of the same course of conduct and meets the criteria under one of the offenses in subsection (i) of this Section. (j) (1) When the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, felony criminal sexual abuse, or female genital mutilation may be commenced at any time. (2) When in circumstances other than as described in paragraph (1) of this subsection (j), when the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for failure of a person who is required to report an alleged or suspected commission of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, or felony criminal sexual abuse under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act may be commenced within 20 years after the child victim attains 18 years of age. (3) When the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for misdemeanor criminal sexual abuse may be commenced within 10 years after the child victim attains 18 years of age. (4) Nothing in this subdivision (j) shall be construed to shorten a period within which a prosecution must be commenced under any other provision of this Section. (j-5) A prosecution for armed robbery, home invasion, kidnapping, or aggravated kidnaping may be commenced at any time if it arises out of the same course of conduct and meets the criteria under one of the offenses in subsection (j) of this Section. (k) (Blank). (l) A prosecution for any offense set forth in Section 26-4 of this Code may be commenced within one year after the discovery of the offense by the victim of that offense. (l-5) A prosecution for any offense involving sexual conduct or sexual penetration, as defined in Section 11-0.1 of this Code, in which the victim was 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense, may be commenced within one year after the discovery of the offense by the victim when corroborating physical evidence is available. The charging document shall state that the statute of limitations is extended under this subsection (l-5) and shall state the circumstances justifying the extension. Nothing in this subsection (l-5) shall be construed to shorten a period within which a prosecution must be commenced under any other provision of this Section or Section 3-5 of this Code. (m) The prosecution shall not be required to prove at trial facts which extend the general limitations in Section 3-5 of this Code when the facts supporting extension of the period of general limitations are properly pled in the charging document. Any challenge relating to the extension of the general limitations period as defined in this Section shall be exclusively conducted under Section 114-1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. (n) A prosecution for any offense set forth in subsection (a), (b), or (c) of Section 8A-3 or Section 8A-13 of the Illinois Public Aid Code, in which the total amount of money involved is $5,000 or more, including the monetary value of food stamps and the value of commodities under Section 16-1 of this Code may be commenced within 5 years of the last act committed in furtherance of the offense. (o) A prosecution for any offense based upon fraudulent activity connected to COVID-19-related relief programs, to include the Paycheck Protection Program, COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, and the Unemployment Benefit Programs shall be commenced within 5 years after discovery of the offense by a person having a legal duty to report such offense, or in the absence of such discovery, within 5 years after the proper prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense. However, in no such case is the period of limitation so extended more than 10 years beyond the expiration of the period otherwise applicable. (Source: P.A. 103-184, eff. 1-1-24; 104-241, eff. 1-1-26.) (Text of Section from P.A. 104-245) Sec. 3-6. Extended limitations. The period within which a prosecution must be commenced under the provisions of Section 3-5 or other applicable statute is extended under the following conditions: (a) A prosecution for theft involving a breach of a fiduciary obligation to the aggrieved person may be commenced as follows: (1) If the aggrieved person is a minor or a person under legal disability, then during the minority or legal disability or within one year after the termination thereof. (2) In any other instance, within one year after the discovery of the offense by an aggrieved person, or by a person who has legal capacity to represent an aggrieved person or has a legal duty to report the offense, and is not himself or herself a party to the offense; or in the absence of such discovery, within one year after the proper prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense. However, in no such case is the period of limitation so extended more than 3 years beyond the expiration of the period otherwise applicable. (b) A prosecution for any offense based upon misconduct in office by a public officer or employee may be commenced within one year after discovery of the offense by a person having a legal duty to report such offense, or in the absence of such discovery, within one year after the proper prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense. However, in no such case is the period of limitation so extended more than 3 years beyond the expiration of the period otherwise applicable. (b-5) When the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons and related offenses under Section 10-9 of this Code may be commenced within 25 years of the victim attaining the age of 18 years. (b-6) When the victim is 18 years of age or over at the time of the offense, a prosecution for involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons and related offenses under Section 10-9 of this Code may be commenced within 25 years after the commission of the offense. (b-7) When the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for female genital mutilation may be commenced at any time. (b-8) When the victim is under 17 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for grooming may be commenced within 10 years after the victim attains 17 years of age. (c) (Blank). (d) A prosecution for child sexual abuse material or child pornography, aggravated child pornography, indecent solicitation of a child, soliciting for a juvenile prostitute, juvenile pimping, exploitation of a child, or promoting juvenile prostitution except for keeping a place of juvenile prostitution may be commenced within one year of the victim attaining the age of 18 years. However, in no such case shall the time period for prosecution expire sooner than 3 years after the commission of the offense. (e) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (j), a prosecution for any offense involving sexual conduct or sexual penetration, as defined in Section 11-0.1 of this Code, where the defendant was within a professional or fiduciary relationship or a purported professional or fiduciary relationship with the victim at the time of the commission of the offense may be commenced within one year after the discovery of the offense by the victim. (f) A prosecution for any offense set forth in Section 44 of the Environmental Protection Act may be commenced within 5 years after the discovery of such an offense by a person or agency having the legal duty to report the offense or in the absence of such discovery, within 5 years after the proper prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense. (f-5) A prosecution for any offense set forth in Section 16-30 of this Code may be commenced within 5 years after the discovery of the offense by the victim of that offense. (g) (Blank). (h) (Blank). (i) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (j), a prosecution for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse may be commenced at any time. If the victim consented to the collection of evidence using an Illinois State Police Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit under the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act, it shall constitute reporting for purposes of this Section. Nothing in this subdivision (i) shall be construed to shorten a period within which a prosecution must be commenced under any other provision of this Section. (i-5) A prosecution for armed robbery, home invasion, kidnapping, or aggravated kidnaping may be commenced within 10 years of the commission of the offense if it arises out of the same course of conduct and meets the criteria under one of the offenses in subsection (i) of this Section. (j) (1) When the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, felony criminal sexual abuse, or female genital mutilation may be commenced at any time. (2) When in circumstances other than as described in paragraph (1) of this subsection (j), when the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for failure of a person who is required to report an alleged or suspected commission of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, or felony criminal sexual abuse under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act may be commenced within 20 years after the child victim attains 18 years of age. (3) When the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for misdemeanor criminal sexual abuse may be commenced within 10 years after the child victim attains 18 years of age. (4) Nothing in this subdivision (j) shall be construed to shorten a period within which a prosecution must be commenced under any other provision of this Section. (j-5) A prosecution for armed robbery, home invasion, kidnapping, or aggravated kidnaping may be commenced at any time if it arises out of the same course of conduct and meets the criteria under one of the offenses in subsection (j) of this Section. (k) (Blank). (l) A prosecution for any offense set forth in Section 26-4 of this Code may be commenced within one year after the discovery of the offense by the victim of that offense. (l-5) A prosecution for any offense involving sexual conduct or sexual penetration, as defined in Section 11-0.1 of this Code, in which the victim was 18 years of age or older at the time of the offense, may be commenced within one year after the discovery of the offense by the victim when corroborating physical evidence is available. The charging document shall state that the statute of limitations is extended under this subsection (l-5) and shall state the circumstances justifying the extension. Nothing in this subsection (l-5) shall be construed to shorten a period within which a prosecution must be commenced under any other provision of this Section or Section 3-5 of this Code. (m) The prosecution shall not be required to prove at trial facts which extend the general limitations in Section 3-5 of this Code when the facts supporting extension of the period of general limitations are properly pled in the charging document. Any challenge relating to the extension of the general limitations period as defined in this Section shall be exclusively conducted under Section 114-1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. (n) A prosecution for any offense set forth in subsection (a), (b), or (c) of Section 8A-3 or Section 8A-13 of the Illinois Public Aid Code, in which the total amount of money involved is $5,000 or more, including the monetary value of food stamps and the value of commodities under Section 16-1 of this Code may be commenced within 5 years of the last act committed in furtherance of the offense. (o) A prosecution for any offense based upon fraudulent activity connected to COVID-19-related relief programs, to include the Paycheck Protection Program, COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, and the Unemployment Benefit Programs shall be commenced within 5 years after discovery of the offense by a person having a legal duty to report such offense, or in the absence of such discovery, within 5 years after the proper prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense. However, in no such case is the period of limitation so extended more than 10 years beyond the expiration of the period otherwise applicable.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 103-184, eff. 1-1-24; 104-245, eff. 1-1-26.)