CHAPTER 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES

625 ILCS 5/12-215.1

Sec. 12-215.1. Possession of oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights in motor vehicles; police equipment, markings, and other indicia of emergency vehicle authority.

EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules
Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Class A Misdemeanor

Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Court Appearance Mandate Rule 551 Mandatory Court

Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Pretrial Fairness Act (SAFE-T Act) Presumptive Pretrial Release

Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

Secretary of State License Sanction Standard Administrative Protocol

No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Classification Class A Misdemeanor
Court Appearance Mandatory Court Appearance (Rule 551)
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code None Assigned
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Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code
Illegal possession of emergency lights – Class A misdemeanor Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible
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Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov

Sec. 12-215.1. Possession of oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights in motor vehicles; police equipment, markings, and other indicia of emergency vehicle authority.

(a)

(a) A person, except those given exceptions in Section 12-215 or 12-609 of this Code, may not possess or be in actual physical control of oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights or other indicia of emergency vehicle authority within any portion of a motor vehicle, including but not limited to wig-wags, red and blue LEDs, sirens, mounted or affixed devices or other equipment, markings or indicia of emergency vehicle authority.

(b)

(b) A person found guilty of violating this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

(c)

(c) Oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights and any other equipment, markings, or indicia of emergency vehicle authority shall be seized by the law enforcement officer at the time of a violation of this Section or of Section 12-215 or 12-609 of this Code upon any legal search. The officer may seize the vehicle containing the prohibited device or mechanism, and this device or mechanism shall be removed and held for evidentiary purposes. When the device or mechanism is no longer needed for evidence, the defendant may petition the court for the return of the device or mechanism. The defendant must prove to the court by a preponderance of the evidence that the device or mechanism will be used for a legitimate and lawful purpose.

(Source: P.A. 98-468, eff. 8-16-13.)

Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes