GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Illinois. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Authorizes AV testing with a human operator
No helmet laws. Universal helmet law repealed 1970.
4 years
81-86: renewal every 2 years
87 and over: renewal every year
75 and over: road test required
Zero tolerance for some drugs
Decriminalized and legal for recreational and medical use
THC per se (5 ng)
55
55
65
55
70
70
0.16
6 months
After 30 days
Mandatory for all convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions
Yes
Yes
Under 2 yrs under 40 lbs and under 40" in rear-facing child restraint
Under 8 yrs
8-15 yrs
Over 40 lbs in rear seat if only lap belt available
15
9
50 (10)
16
Sun-Thurs: 10 p.m. - 6 a.m
Fri-Sat: 11 p.m. - 6 a.m.
First 12 months: no more than 1 under 20
Nighttime driving: 18 years
Driving with passengers: 17 years
Primary
16 and over
All
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
Drivers under 19. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
In construction or maintenance zones (only when workers are present); in safety zones - within 1/8th of a mile of a school or park district used for recreational purposes in municipalities with a population of 1 million or more inhabitants (only within certain hours)
Permitted by state law
Specified jurisdictions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2020
Contact: Adrian Nicholas, 202-580-7934
After-Hours Contact: Pam Shadel Fischer, 980-619-2786
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2020
CONTACT: Adrian Nicholas, 202-580-7934, anicholas@ghsa.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the sixth consecutive year, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility (Responsibility.org) are awarding grants to help states keep Americans safe from the most dangerous impaired drivers.
Three months into the coronavirus pandemic, the United States faces another crisis: a surge in speeding and reckless behavior on the nation's roadways.
Story by Luz Lazo
May 11, 2020
Despite what some drivers may believe, COVID-19 germs do not die at high rates of speed. Law enforcement agencies throughout the country have reported an uptick in people going well above the speed limit.
Story by Marco Cartolano
May 5, 2020
As the recipient of a grant from GHSA and ride-hailing company Lyft to prevent impaired driving during the 2019 holiday season, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) used $20,000 in Lyft ride credits to provide safe and sober travel options in Sangamon County — the home of Illinois’ capital, Springfield.
Sadly, recent local scandals associated with red light camera programs, which have been proven to reduce serious and fatal crashes in cities across the country, including Chicago, are giving Springfield politicians ammunition for a statewide ban on the technology.
Story by John Greenfield
February 7, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2019
Contact: Kara Macek, 202-789-0944
As the recipient of a grant from GHSA and Lyft, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) teamed up with the Illinois State Police (ISP) for "Ride Smart," a social media campaign encouraging ride-hailing as an alternative to impaired road use.
With GHSA's latest report projecting that 2018 had the highest number of pedestrian fatalities since 1990, the Chicago Tribune's editorial board emphasizes the need to improve walking safety.
March 4, 2019
