Opinion ID: 2085558
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Double Enhancement: Offenses

Text: Finally, defendant raises another double-enhancement argument. This time, defendant argues that one of his convictions must be vacated because a single factorthe infliction of great bodily harmwas used to enhance both of the offenses for which he was convicted. In support, defendant notes that the single fact that he inflicted great bodily harm upon P.H. was used against him twice, once to elevate kidnapping to aggravated kidnapping and again to elevate battery to heinous battery. According to defendant, this constitutes an unlawful double enhancement. We disagree. As explained above, the double-enhancement rule prohibits a single factor from being used twice with respect to the same offense. Gonzalez, 151 Ill.2d at 83 84, 175 Ill.Dec. 731, 600 N.E.2d 1189; Ferguson, 132 Ill.2d at 96, 138 Ill.Dec. 262, 547 N.E.2d 429. Defendant does not cite, and we cannot find, any principle that prohibits the use of a single factor with respect to separate and distinct offenses. In fact, this court has specifically held that `[a] person can be guilty of two offenses when a common act is part of both offenses.' People v. Rodriguez, 169 Ill.2d 183, 188, 214 Ill.Dec. 451, 661 N.E.2d 305 (1996), quoting People v. Lobdell, 121 Ill.App.3d 248, 252, 76 Ill.Dec. 623, 459 N.E.2d 260 (1983). Such is the case here. Defendant committed a heinous battery not only by causing bodily harm to P.H. but by also inflicting severe and permanent disfigurement by means of a flammable substance. See 720 ILCS 5/12-4.1(a) (West 1996). In addition, he committed an aggravated kidnapping not only by kidnapping P.H. but also by inflicting great bodily harm upon her in the process. See 720 ILCS 5/10-2(a)(3) (West 1996). As defined by the legislature, these are entirely distinct offenses, and the State proved each of their elements beyond a reasonable doubt. Nothing prohibits such an outcome, and defendant's heinous battery and aggravated kidnapping convictions therefore will stand.