CHAPTER 6 - THE ILLINOIS DRIVER LICENSING LAW

625 ILCS 5/6-526

Sec. 6-526. Prohibition against texting.

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

No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000

Court Appearance Mandate Release on Notice (No Mandate)

Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.

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 Petty Offense
Court Appearance Pre-set Bond / Release on Notice
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
Driving CMV while texting Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible
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Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov

Sec. 6-526. Prohibition against texting.

(a)

(a) A driver may not engage in texting while driving a commercial motor vehicle.

(b)

(b) A motor carrier may not allow or require its drivers to engage in texting while driving a commercial motor vehicle.

(c)

(c) For the purpose of this Section, when a person is operating a commercial motor vehicle, driving means operating a commercial motor vehicle on a highway, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays. Driving does not include operating a commercial motor vehicle when the driver has moved the vehicle to the side of, or off, a highway and has halted in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary.

(d)

(d) Texting while driving is permissible by a driver of a commercial motor vehicle when necessary to communicate with law enforcement officials or other emergency services.

(Source: P.A. 97-829, eff. 1-1-13.)

Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes