Prank-calling 911 now felony in Illinois

Attention prank-callers: Resist the urge to dial 911, as doing so could result in jail time in Illinois.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law Monday to make prank 911-calling a Class 4 felony — even on first offense — which is punishable by 1-3 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. The new law takes effect Jan. 1.
“Making false calls to 91-1 can put our law enforcement officers and emergency responders in serious jeopardy and endangers public safety by straining resources,” Quinn said. “We must do everything we can to support the brave men and women who protect the public. By making the penalty harsher, this new law will help deter people from placing false 911 calls.”

Prank 911-calling was always a crime, but a first offense used to be a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, while subsequent offenses were charged as felonies. The new law enables prosecutors to seek prison sentences for first-timers.

“If someone is dumb enough to call 911 and make a false report like that, I have no problem with charging them with a felony,” said Todd Martin, chief deputy assistant La Salle County state’s attorney. “911 is, from the time we’re old enough to learn, the emergency number and needs to be treated as such.”

Read the full story here.

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