Illinois Code § 12-37
Illinois Code § 12-37. Reproduced from the official Illinois Compiled Statutes, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.
§ 12-37.
Possession and sale of caustic and noxious substances. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), it is unlawful for any person knowingly to have in his or her possession or to carry about any of the substances which are regulated by Title 16 CFR Section 1500.129 of the Federal Caustic Poison Act and are required to contain the words "causes severe burns" as the affirmative statement of principal hazard on its label. (b) Provided that the product is not used to threaten, intimidate, injure, or cause distress to another, the restrictions of subsection (a) do not apply to: (1) persons while engaged in the legitimate commercial manufacture, distribution, storage, or use of the specified substances; (2) persons while engaged in legitimate scientific or medical research, study, teaching or treatment involving the use of such substances, including without limitation physicians, pharmacists, scientists, teachers, students, and employees of regularly established laboratories, manufacturing and wholesale pharmacies, retail pharmacies, medical treatment facilities, schools, colleges, and universities; (3) persons who have procured any of the specified substances for medicinal purposes upon a prescription of a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches under the Medical Practice Act of 1987; (4) commercial or consumer products that contain any of the specified substances found in subsection (a) including, but not limited to, batteries; (5) production agriculture as defined in Section 3-5 of the Use Tax Act; (6) persons while engaged in the possession or transportation, or both, of a commercial product containing any of the substances specified in subsection (a) for retail sale; (7) persons while engaged in the possession, transportation, or use, unrelated to a retail sale, of any of the substances specified in subsection (a); or (8) persons engaged in the possession, transportation, or use of a commercial product containing any of the substances specified in subsection (a). (c) Sentence. A violation of this Section is a Class 4 felony. (d) The regulation of the possession and carrying of caustic and noxious substances under this Section is an exclusive power and function of the State. A home rule unit may not regulate the possession and carrying of caustic and noxious substances and any ordinance or local law contrary to this Section is declared void. This is a denial and limitation of home rule powers and functions under subsection (h) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution. (Source: P.A. 97-565, eff. 1-1-12.)
Source: official Illinois text · Last verified 2026-08-27
At a glance
- Citation: Illinois Compiled Statutes § 12-37
- Jurisdiction: Illinois
- Code: Illinois Compiled Statutes
- Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)
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Statute text is transcribed from the official Illinois Compiled Statutes. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Illinois attorney.
Common questions
What is the source of Illinois Compiled Statutes § 12-37?
The text above is transcribed from the Illinois Compiled Statutes, the codified statutes of Illinois. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.
What subject does Illinois Compiled Statutes § 12-37 address?
It addresses the rule set out in the section text. Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.
Is Illinois Compiled Statutes § 12-37 still in force?
Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Illinois source before relying on this text.
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