# 720 ILCS 5/1-2: Section 1-2

> Illinois · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S1-2

## Section

- **Citation:** 720 ILCS 5/1-2
- **Heading:** Section 1-2
- **Jurisdiction:** Illinois
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Illinois Code / Chapter 720 / Act 5 / Section 1-2

## Text

(720 ILCS 5/1-2) (from Ch. 38, par. 1-2) Sec. 1-2. General purposes. The provisions of this Code shall be construed in accordance with the general purposes hereof, to: (a) Forbid and prevent the commission of offenses; (b) Define adequately the act and mental state which constitute each offense, and limit the condemnation of conduct as criminal when it is without fault; (c) Prescribe penalties which are proportionate to the seriousness of offenses and which permit recognition of differences in rehabilitation possibilities among individual offenders; (d) Prevent arbitrary or oppressive treatment of persons accused or convicted of offenses. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 1983.)

## Nearby sections

- [720 ILCS 5/1-1 Section 1-1](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S1-1.md)
- [720 ILCS 5/1-2 Section 1-2](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S1-2.md)
- [720 ILCS 5/1-5 Section 1-5](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S1-5.md)
- [720 ILCS 5/2-1 Section 2-1](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S2-1.md)
- [720 ILCS 5/2-3 Section 2-3](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S2-3.md)
- [720 ILCS 5/2-5.1 Section 2-5.1](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S2-5.1.md)
- [720 ILCS 5/2-5.2 Section 2-5.2](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S2-5.2.md)
- [720 ILCS 5/2-6 Section 2-6](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S2-6.md)
- [720 ILCS 5/2-6.5 Section 2-6.5](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S2-6.5.md)
- [720 ILCS 5/2-6.6 Section 2-6.6](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S2-6.6.md)
- [720 ILCS 5/2-7.1 Section 2-7.1](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S2-7.1.md)
- [720 ILCS 5/2-9 Section 2-9](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S2-9.md)
- [720 ILCS 5/2-10.1 Section 2-10.1](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S2-10.1.md)
- [720 ILCS 5/2-11 Section 2-11](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S2-11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_IL_C720_A5_S1-2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.