Self Defense, the Home and Property
720 ILCS 5/7-1 — force a person reasonably believes necessary, and deadly force only against death, great bodily harm or a forcible felony
A person is justified in using force against another when and to the extent they reasonably believe it is necessary to defend themselves or another against that person's imminent use of unlawful force.
Who handles this in Illinois: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Illinois directory.
| What is being defended | Force intended or likely to kill or cause great bodily harm is justified only |
|---|---|
| What is being defendedA person | Force intended or likely to kill or cause great bodily harm is justified onlyTo prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to themselves or another, or the commission of a forcible felony |
| What is being defendedA dwelling | Force intended or likely to kill or cause great bodily harm is justified onlyAgainst an entry made violently, riotously or tumultuously, to prevent an assault on someone in it, or to prevent a felony in the dwelling |
| What is being defendedOther property | Force intended or likely to kill or cause great bodily harm is justified onlyTo prevent the commission of a forcible felony |
Force to protect property other than a dwelling covers property lawfully held by the person, by a member of their immediate family or household, or by someone whose property they have a legal duty to protect.
No lawsuit from the aggressor. Force justified under these sections gives rise to no claim by or for the aggressor, their estate or family against the person who used it, unless the use of force involved willful or wanton misconduct.
Whether a particular use of force was reasonable is decided on the facts of the case. How these sections apply to a specific event is a question for a licensed Illinois attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- 720 ILCS 5/7-1 — Use of force in defense of person
- 720 ILCS 5/7-2 — Use of force in defense of dwelling
- 720 ILCS 5/7-3 — Use of force in defense of other property
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Illinois attorney.