Sec. 25a. Possession of more than 100 original packages of contraband cigarettes; penalty. With the exception of licensed distributors or transporters, as defined in Section 9c of the Cigarette Tax Act, possessing unstamped original packages of cigarettes, and licensed distributors possessing original packages of cigarettes that bear a tax stamp of another state or taxing jurisdiction, anyone possessing or having possessed more than 100 packages of contraband cigarettes contained in original packages is liable to pay, to the Department for deposit into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund, a penalty of $25 for each such package of cigarettes in excess of 100 packages, unless reasonable cause can be established by the person upon whom the penalty is imposed. Reasonable cause shall be determined in each situation in accordance with rules adopted by the Department. The provisions of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act do not apply to this Section.
Court Appearance MandateRelease on Notice (No Mandate)
Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State License SanctionStandard Administrative Protocol
No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
Possession of cigarettes without Illinois tax stamp
Petty Offense
Release on Notice
Release Eligible
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Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)
Source: ilga.gov
Sec. 25a. Possession of more than 100 original packages of contraband cigarettes; penalty. With the exception of licensed distributors or transporters, as defined in Section 9c of the Cigarette Tax Act, possessing unstamped original packages of cigarettes, and licensed distributors possessing original packages of cigarettes that bear a tax stamp of another state or taxing jurisdiction, anyone possessing or having possessed more than 100 packages of contraband cigarettes contained in original packages is liable to pay, to the Department for deposit into the Tax Compliance and Administration Fund, a penalty of $25 for each such package of cigarettes in excess of 100 packages, unless reasonable cause can be established by the person upon whom the penalty is imposed. Reasonable cause shall be determined in each situation in accordance with rules adopted by the Department. The provisions of the Uniform Penalty and Interest Act do not apply to this Section.