625 ILCS 5/ Illinois Vehicle Code.

(625 ILCS 5/12-609) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-609)

Sec. 12-609. (a) No official or employee of the State, any political subdivision thereof, any county, municipality, or local authority, and no owner or employee of any new vehicle dealer, used vehicle dealer, or vehicle auctioneer shall sell, trade or otherwise dispose of any motor vehicle bearing equipment, markings, or other indicia of police authority unless, prior to delivery of the vehicle, the equipment and markings have been sufficiently altered or obliterated to remove the appearance of such authority.

(b) A person may not operate on the highways of this State a vehicle bearing the equipment, markings, or other indicia of police authority, unless the vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in Section 1-105 of this Code.

(c) This Section does not apply to vehicles bearing indicia of police authority that are antique vehicles, as defined in Section 1-102.1, and are registered as antique vehicles, as provided in Section 3-804.

(c-5) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a manufacturer of authorized emergency vehicle equipment, markings, or other indicia, or the manufacturer's representative or authorized vendor, from temporarily mounting the equipment, markings, or other indicia on a vehicle for demonstration purposes only. If the equipment, markings, or other indicia are not covered while the vehicle is operated upon a highway, the vehicle shall display signage indicating that the vehicle is out of service or not an emergency vehicle. The signage shall be displayed on all sides of the vehicle in letters at least 2 inches tall and one-half inch wide.

(d) Any police officer is authorized to seize any vehicle that is in violation of this Section and to impound that vehicle, at the owner's expense, until any equipment, markings, or other indicia of police authority have been sufficiently removed, altered, or obliterated to remove the appearance of police authority.

(e) A person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a petty offense and subject to a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000.

(Source: P.A. 97-1173, eff. 1-1-14.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-610) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-610)

Sec. 12-610. Headset receivers.

(a) Except as provided under Section 11-1403.3, no driver of a motor vehicle on the highways of this State shall wear headset receivers while driving.

(b) This Section does not prohibit the use of a headset type receiving equipment used exclusively for safety or traffic engineering studies, by law enforcement personnel on duty, or emergency medical services and fire service personnel.

(c) This Section does not prohibit the use of any single sided headset type receiving and transmitting equipment designed to be used in or on one ear which is used exclusively for providing two-way radio vocal communications by an individual in possession of a current and valid novice class or higher amateur radio license issued by the Federal Communications Commission and an amateur radio operator special registration plate or digital registration plate issued under Section 3-607 of this Code.

(d) This Section does not prohibit the use of a single-sided headset or earpiece with a cellular or other mobile telephone.

(Source: P.A. 101-395, eff. 8-16-19.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-610.1)

Sec. 12-610.1. Wireless telephones.

(a) As used in this Section, "wireless telephone" means a device that is capable of transmitting or receiving telephonic communications without a wire connecting the device to the telephone network.

(b) A person under the age of 19 years who holds an instruction permit issued under Section 6-105 or 6-107.1, or a person under the age of 19 years who holds a graduated license issued under Section 6-107, may not drive a vehicle on a roadway while using a wireless phone.

(b-5) A person under the age of 19 commits aggravated use of a wireless telephone when he or she violates subsection (b) and in committing the violation he or she was involved in a motor vehicle crash that results in great bodily harm, permanent disability, disfigurement, or death to another and the violation was a proximate cause of the injury or death.

(c) This Section does not apply to a person under the age of 19 years using a wireless telephone for emergency purposes, including, but not limited to, an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services agency or entity.

(d) If a graduated driver's license holder over the age of 18 committed an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles or any violation of Section 6-107 or Section 12-603.1 of this Code in the 6 months prior to the graduated driver's license holder's 18th birthday, and was subsequently convicted of the violation, the provisions of paragraph (b) shall continue to apply until such time as a period of 6 consecutive months has elapsed without an additional violation and subsequent conviction of an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles or any violation of Section 6-107 or Section 12-603.1 of this Code.

(e) A person, regardless of age, may not use a wireless telephone at any time while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway in a school speed zone established under Section 11-605, on a highway in a construction or maintenance speed zone established under Section 11-605.1, or within 500 feet of an emergency scene. As used in this Section, "emergency scene" means a location where an authorized emergency vehicle as defined by Section 1-105 of this Code is present and has activated its oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights. This subsection (e) does not apply to (i) a person engaged in a highway construction or maintenance project for which a construction or maintenance speed zone has been established under Section 11-605.1, (ii) a person using a wireless telephone for emergency purposes, including, but not limited to, law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services agency or entity, (iii) a law enforcement officer or operator of an emergency vehicle when performing the officer's or operator's official duties, (iv) a person using a wireless telephone in voice-operated mode, which may include the use of a headset, (v) a person using a wireless telephone by pressing a single button to initiate or terminate a voice communication, or (vi) a person using an electronic communication device for the sole purpose of reporting an emergency situation and continued communication with emergency personnel during the emergency situation.

(e-5) A person commits aggravated use of a wireless telephone when he or she violates subsection (e) and in committing the violation he or she was involved in a motor vehicle crash that results in great bodily harm, permanent disability, disfigurement, or death to another and the violation was a proximate cause of the injury or death.

(f) A person convicted of violating subsection (b-5) or (e-5) commits a Class A misdemeanor if the violation resulted in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to another. A person convicted of violating subsection (b-5) or (e-5) commits a Class 4 felony if the violation resulted in the death of another person.

(Source: P.A. 102-982, eff. 7-1-23.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-610.2)

Sec. 12-610.2. Electronic communication devices.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Electronic communication device" means an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a hand-held wireless telephone, hand-held personal digital assistant, tablet, or a portable or mobile computer, but does not include a global positioning system or navigation system or a device that is physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle.

(b) A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a roadway while using an electronic communication device, including using an electronic communication device to watch or stream video, participate in any video conferencing application, including, but not limited to, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or WebEx, or access any social media site, including, but not limited to, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, or Twitter. The exemptions in paragraphs (3) and (9) of subsection (d) do not apply when a person is using the electronic communication device to watch or stream video, participate in any video conferencing application, or access any social media site.

(b-5) A person commits aggravated use of an electronic communication device when he or she violates subsection (b) and in committing the violation he or she is involved in a motor vehicle crash that results in great bodily harm, permanent disability, disfigurement, or death to another and the violation is a proximate cause of the injury or death.

(c) A violation of this Section is an offense against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles. A person who violates this Section shall be fined a maximum of $75 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, $125 for a third offense, and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense, except that a person who violates subsection (b-5) shall be assessed a minimum fine of $1,000.

(d) This Section does not apply to:

(1) a law enforcement officer or operator of an emergency vehicle while performing his or her official duties;

(1.5) a first responder, including a volunteer first responder, while operating his or her own personal motor vehicle using an electronic communication device for the sole purpose of receiving information about an emergency situation while en route to performing his or her official duties;

(2) a driver using an electronic communication device for the sole purpose of reporting an emergency situation and continued communication with emergency personnel during the emergency situation;

(3) a driver using an electronic communication device in hands-free or voice-operated mode, which may include the use of a headset;

(4) a driver of a commercial motor vehicle reading a message displayed on a permanently installed communication device designed for a commercial motor vehicle with a screen that does not exceed 10 inches tall by 10 inches wide in size;

(5) a driver using an electronic communication device while parked on the shoulder of a roadway;

(6) a driver using an electronic communication device when the vehicle is stopped due to normal traffic being obstructed and the driver has the motor vehicle transmission in neutral or park;

(7) a driver using two-way or citizens band radio services;

(8) a driver using two-way mobile radio transmitters or receivers for licensees of the Federal Communications Commission in the amateur radio service;

(9) a driver using an electronic communication device by pressing a single button to initiate or terminate a voice communication; or

(10) a driver using an electronic communication device capable of performing multiple functions, other than a hand-held wireless telephone or hand-held personal digital assistant (for example, a fleet management system, dispatching device, citizens band radio, or music player) for a purpose that is not otherwise prohibited by this Section.

(e) A person convicted of violating subsection (b-5) commits a Class A misdemeanor if the violation resulted in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to another. A person convicted of violating subsection (b-5) commits a Class 4 felony if the violation resulted in the death of another person.

(Source: P.A. 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 102-982, eff. 7-1-23; 103-310, eff. 1-1-24.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-610.5)

Sec. 12-610.5. (Repealed).

(Source: P.A. 97-672, eff. 7-1-12. Repealed by P.A. 97-743, eff. 1-1-13.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-611) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-611)

Sec. 12-611. No driver of any motor vehicle within this State shall operate or permit operation of any sound amplification system which can be heard outside the vehicle from 75 or more feet when the vehicle is being operated upon a highway, unless such system is being operated to request assistance or warn of a hazardous situation.

This Section does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles.

Any violation of the provisions of this Section shall be a petty offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $50.

(Source: P.A. 91-919, eff. 1-1-01.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-612)

Sec. 12-612. False or secret compartment in a vehicle.

(a) Offenses. It is unlawful for any person:

(1) to own or operate with criminal intent any vehicle he or she knows to contain a false or secret compartment that is used or has been used to conceal a firearm as prohibited by paragraph (a)(4) of Section 24-1 or paragraph (a)(1) of Section 24-1.6 of the Criminal Code of 2012, or controlled substance as prohibited by the Illinois Controlled Substances Act or the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act; or

(2) to install, create, build, or fabricate in any vehicle a false or secret compartment knowing that another person intends to use the compartment to conceal a firearm as prohibited by paragraph (a)(4) of Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012, or controlled substance as prohibited by the Illinois Controlled Substances Act or the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act.

(b) Definitions. For purposes of this Section:

(1) "False or secret compartment" means an enclosure integrated into a vehicle that is a modification of the vehicle as built by the original manufacturer.

(2) "Vehicle" means any of the following vehicles without regard to whether the vehicles are private or commercial, including, but not limited to, cars, trucks, buses, aircraft, and watercraft.

(c) Forfeiture. Any vehicle containing a false or secret compartment used in violation of this Section, as well as any items within that compartment, shall be subject to seizure by the Illinois State Police or by any municipal or other local law enforcement agency within whose jurisdiction that property is found as provided in Sections 36-1 and 36-2 of the Criminal Code of 2012. The removal of the false or secret compartment from the vehicle, or the promise to do so, shall not be the basis for a defense to forfeiture of the motor vehicle under Section 36-2 of the Criminal Code of 2012 and shall not be the basis for the court to release the vehicle to the owner.

(d) Sentence. A violation of this Section is a Class 4 felony. The sentence imposed for violation of this Section shall be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed in connection with the firearm, controlled substance, or other contraband concealed in the false or secret compartment.

(e) For purposes of this Section, a new owner is not responsible for any conduct that occurred or knowledge of conduct that occurred prior to transfer of title.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-613)

Sec. 12-613. Possession and use of radar or laser jamming devices prohibited.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a person may not operate or be in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is equipped with any instrument designed to interfere with microwaves or lasers at frequencies used by police radar for the purpose of monitoring vehicular speed.

(b) A person operating a motor vehicle who possesses within the vehicle a radar or laser jamming device that is contained in a locked opaque box or similar container, or that is not in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and that is not in operation, is not in violation of this Section.

(c) Any person found guilty of violating this Section is guilty of a petty offense. A minimum fine of $50 shall be imposed for a first offense and a minimum fine of $100 for a second or subsequent offense.

(d) The radar or laser jamming device or mechanism shall be seized by the law enforcement officer at the time of the violation. This Section does not authorize the permanent forfeiture to the State of any radar or laser jamming device or mechanism. The device or mechanism shall be taken and held for the period when needed as evidence. When no longer needed for evidence, the defendant may petition the court for the return of the device or mechanism. The defendant, however, must prove to the court by a preponderance of the evidence that the device or mechanism will be used only for a legitimate and lawful purpose.

(e) A law enforcement officer may not stop or search any motor vehicle or the driver of any motor vehicle solely on the basis of a violation or suspected violation of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 94-594, eff. 1-1-06; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

(625 ILCS 5/Ch. 12 Art. VII heading) ARTICLE VII. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES OF THE SECOND DIVISION

(625 ILCS 5/12-701) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-701)

Sec. 12-701. Tractors, traction engines and motor trucks-Operation on highways-Turning on highways during farming operations-Violations. No tractor, traction engine, motor truck or other similar vehicle shall be operated across, over or along any public highway of this State which has been oil-treated, if any such vehicle has on the periphery of any of the road wheels any block, stud, flange, cleat, ridge, lug, or any projection of metal or wood which projects radially beyond the tread or traffic surface of the tire; except that this prohibition shall not apply to tractors or traction engines equipped with what is known as crawler type tractors, when the same does not contain any projections of any kind likely to injure the surface of the road, nor to tractors, traction engines and similar vehicles which have upon their road wheels V-shaped, diagonal or other cleats arranged in such a manner as to be continuously in contact with the road surface. In no event shall the oil mat surface of any oil-treated public road be used as an area or space for turning any tractor or other farm machinery in carrying on or performing any farming operations upon the adjacent land. Provided, that nothing in this Section contained shall prohibit the operation of tractors, traction engines or motor trucks across any oil-treated road in order to reach adjacent lands or the operation of any such vehicles upon the treated portion of such oil-treated roads if there is no untreated portion thereof over which they may be operated or the operation of any such vehicles on oil-treated roads if in passing along said road they travel over the portion of said road which does not constitute the oil mat surface created by said oil treatment or the use of flexible tire chains on any tractor, traction engine, motor truck or other similar vehicle being operated upon any such oil-treated road.

It is unlawful for any person to operate any tractor, traction engine, motor truck or other similar vehicle over and along any public highway of this State, which has been oil-treated, in violation of the provisions of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 80-911.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-702) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-702)

Sec. 12-702. Certain vehicles to carry flares or other warning devices.

(a) No person shall operate any motor vehicle of the second division weighing more than 8,000 pounds or any vehicle of the second division weighing 8,000 pounds or less towing a trailer or any motor vehicle towing a house trailer upon any highway outside an urban district at any time unless there is carried in such vehicle the following equipment, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this Section:

1. At least 3 liquid-burning flares, or 3 red electric lanterns or 3 portable red emergency reflectors, each of which is capable of being seen and distinguished at a distance of not less than 500 feet when lighted lamps are required, provided that emergency reflectors meeting the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 125 shall be deemed acceptable as regards visibility and color; and

2. At least 3 red-burning 15-minute fusees unless red electric lanterns or portable red emergency reflectors are carried; and

3. At least 2 red-cloth flags, not less than 12 inches square, with standards to support flags or in lieu thereof, 2 portable emergency reflectors meeting the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 125.

(b) No person shall operate at the time and under the conditions stated in paragraph (a) of this Section any motor vehicle used for the transportation of explosives, any cargo tank truck used for the transportation of flammable liquids or compressed gases or any motor vehicle using compressed gas as a fuel unless there is carried in such vehicle 3 red electric lanterns or 3 portable red emergency reflectors meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this Section, and such vehicle shall not carry any flares, fusees or signals produced by flame.

(c) Whenever any motor vehicle of the second division weighing more than 8,000 pounds or any vehicle of the second division weighing 8,000 pounds or less towing a trailer or any motor vehicle towing a house trailer is disabled upon the roadway of any highway or the shoulder thereof outside an urban district or on any controlled access highway within an urban district at any time when lighted lamps are required, the driver of such vehicle shall display the following warning devices upon the highway during the time the vehicle is so disabled, except as provided in paragraph (d) of this Section:

1. A lighted fusee, a lighted red electric lantern or a portable red emergency reflector shall be immediately placed at the traffic side of the vehicle in the direction of the nearest approaching traffic. However, the driver of such vehicle upon learning of the disability may simultaneously flash the 2 front and 2 rear turn signals as a vehicular traffic warning and continue such flashing until the portable signals have been placed as required by this Section and during the time such portable emergency signals are being picked up for storage prior to the movement of the vehicle.

2. As soon thereafter as possible, but in any event within the burning period of the fusee (15 minutes), the driver shall place 3 liquid-burning flares, or 3 lighted red electric lanterns or 3 portable red emergency reflectors on the roadway or shoulder of the highway in the following order:

One approximately 100 feet from the disabled vehicle in the center of the lane or shoulder occupied by such vehicle and toward traffic approaching in that lane; and

One approximately 100 feet in the opposite direction from the disabled vehicle and in the center of the traffic lane or shoulder occupied by such vehicle; and

One at the traffic side of the disabled vehicle not less than 10 feet to the rear or forward thereof in the direction of the nearest approaching traffic. If a lighted red electric lantern or a portable red emergency reflector has been placed at the traffic side of the vehicle in accordance with paragraph (c) (1) of this Section, it may be used for this purpose.

(d) Whenever any vehicle referred to in this Section is disabled within 500 feet of a curve, hill crest or other obstruction to view, the warning signal in that direction shall be so placed as to afford ample warning to other users of the highway, but in no case less than 100 feet nor more than 500 feet from the disabled vehicle.

(e) Whenever any vehicle of a type referred to in this Section is disabled upon any roadway or shoulder of a divided highway during the time that lighted lamps are required, the appropriate warning devices prescribed in paragraph (a) (1) and (2) of this Section shall be placed as follows:

One at a distance of approximately 200 feet from the vehicle in the center of the lane or shoulder occupied by the stopped vehicle and in the direction of traffic approaching in that lane; and

One at a distance of approximately 100 feet from the vehicle in the center of the lane or shoulder occupied by the vehicle and in the direction of traffic approaching in that lane; and

One at the traffic side of the vehicle and approximately 10 feet from the vehicle in the direction of the nearest approaching traffic.

(f) Whenever any vehicle of a type referred to in this Section is disabled upon the roadway of any highway or the shoulder thereof outside an urban district or on any controlled access highway within an urban district at any time when the display of fusees, flares, red electric lanterns or portable red emergency reflectors are not required, the driver of the vehicle shall display 2 red-cloth flags or 2 portable emergency reflectors meeting the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 125 upon the roadway or shoulder in the lane of traffic occupied by the disabled vehicle in the following order:

One at a distance of approximately 100 feet in advance of the vehicle; and

One at a distance of approximately 100 feet in the rear of the vehicle.

(g) Whenever any vehicle of a type referred to in this Section is disabled upon any roadway or shoulder of a divided highway during the time that lighted lamps are not required, the driver of such vehicle shall display 2 red-cloth flags or 2 portable emergency reflectors meeting the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 125 upon the roadway or shoulder in the center of the lane of traffic occupied by the disabled vehicle in the following order:

One at a distance of approximately 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle; and

One at a distance of approximately 100 feet to the rear of the vehicle.

(h) Whenever any motor vehicle used for the transportation of explosives, or any cargo tank truck used for the transportation of any flammable liquid or compressed flammable gas or any motor vehicle using compressed gas as a fuel is disabled upon a highway of this State at any time or place mentioned in paragraph (c) of this Section, the driver of such vehicle shall immediately display 3 red electric lanterns or portable red emergency reflectors placed in the following order:

One at the traffic side of the vehicle and approximately 10 feet from the vehicle in the direction of the nearest approaching traffic; and

One at a distance of approximately 100 feet to the front of the disabled vehicle in the center of the lane of traffic or shoulder occupied by such vehicle; and

One at a distance of approximately 100 feet to the rear of the disabled vehicle in the center of the lane of traffic or shoulder occupied by such vehicle. Flares, fusees or signals produced by flame shall not be used as warning devices for disabled vehicles of the type mentioned in this paragraph.

(i) The flares, fusees, red electric lanterns, portable red emergency reflectors and flags to be displayed as required in this Section shall conform with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section applicable thereto.

(Source: P.A. 89-687, eff. 6-1-97.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-703) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-703)

Sec. 12-703. Road oil vehicles-Dripping on certain highways forbidden.

No person shall operate, on a durable all-weather highway of a type other than gravel or crushed stone, any vehicle used for the purpose of applying road oil, liquid asphalt or similar material to road surfaces unless such vehicle is so equipped as to absolutely prevent such material from dripping on such highway, nor shall such material be allowed to drip on any such highway.

(Source: P.A. 77-37.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-704) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-704)

Sec. 12-704. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 88-415.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-704.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-704.1)

Sec. 12-704.1. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 88-415.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-704.3) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-704.3)

Sec. 12-704.3. Motor vehicles using alternate fuels; markings. Notwithstanding any other regulation or requirement, every motor vehicle using liquefied petroleum gas or compressed natural gas must be marked in accordance with guidelines established by the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) standards for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases and for Compressed Natural Gas Vehicular Fuel Systems and published by that body as NFPA 58 and NFPA 52 dated February 10, 1992 and August 14, 1992, respectively.

The sign or decal shall be maintained in good legible condition. A sign or decal that is deteriorated or defaced so as to impair its legibility, quick recognition, or meaning shall be replaced by a new sign or decal.

(Source: P.A. 88-415.)

(625 ILCS 5/12-705) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-705)

Sec. 12-705. (Repealed).

(Source: Repealed by P.A. 88-415.)