(A) A person commits a false personation when he or she falsely represents himself or herself to be a member of any police, fraternal, or veteran's organization, including the Illinois Police Association, or a representative of any charitable organization, or when any person exhibits or uses in any manner any decal, badge, or insignia of any police organization when not authorized to do so by such police organization.
(1) A person commits a false personation when he or she falsely represents himself or herself to be a veteran in seeking employment or public office. In this division (A)(1) VETERAN means a person who has served in the Armed Services or Reserve Forces of the United States.
(2) A person commits a false personation when he or she falsely represents himself or herself to be a recipient of, or wears on his or her person, any of the following medals if that medal was not awarded to that person by the United States government, irrespective of branch of service: the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, the Air Force Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, or the Purple Heart. It is a defense to a prosecution under this division (A)(2) that the medal is used, or is intended to be used, exclusively:
(a) For a dramatic presentation, such as a theatrical, film, or television production, or a historical re-enactment; or
(b) For a costume worn, or intended to be worn, by a person under 18 years of age.
(B) (1) No person shall use the words “Chicago Police,” “Chicago Police Department,” “Chicago Patrolman,” “Chicago Sergeant,” “Chicago Lieutenant,” “Chicago Peace Officer,” or any other words to the same effect in the title of any organization, magazine, or other publication without the express approval of the Chicago Police Board.
(2) No person may use, in the title of any organization, magazine, or other publication, the words “officer,” “peace officer,” “police,” “law enforcement,” “trooper,” “sheriff,” “deputy,” “deputy sheriff,” or “state police” in combination with the name of any state, state agency, public university, or unit of local government without the express written authorization of that state, state agency, or unit of local government.
(C) No person may solicit advertisements to appear in any firefighters', law enforcement or police officers' magazine, journal, or other publication without first having obtained a current certificate of qualification from the State Attorney General. Upon the presentation of proof that the applicant does in fact represent a legitimate and bona fide firefighters', law enforcement or police officers' publication, the Attorney General may issue to the applicant a certificate of qualification to solicit advertisements on behalf of such publication. The Attorney General shall prescribe forms and promulgate rules governing the making of applications and the certification of persons under this division (C).
(D) No person may claim or represent that he or she is an airman, airline employee, airport employee, or contractor at an airport in order to obtain the uniform, identification card, license, or other identification paraphernalia of an airman, airline employee, airport employee, or contractor at an airport.
(E) False personation, unapproved use of a name of title, or solicitation in violation of divisions (A) and (B) above is a Class C misdemeanor. False personation in violation of divisions (A)(1) and (D) above is a Class A misdemeanor. Solicitation in violation of division (C) above is a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent conviction for a violation of division (C) above committed after the first conviction is a Class 4 felony, subject to prosecution under state statute. False personation in violation of division (A)(2) of this section is a petty offense for which the offender shall be fined at least $100 and not exceeding $200.
(ILCS Ch. 720, Act 5, § 17-2) Penalty, see § 130.99