VEHICLE EQUIPMENT

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 9, ch. 9-76

in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-010 Brakes - Required.

9-76-010 Brakes - Required. (a) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, when operated upon a roadway shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold such vehicle. The brake system shall include two separate means of applying the brake, each of which means shall operate to apply the brakes to at least two wheels. If the two separate means of applying the brakes are connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part of the operating mechanism shall not leave the motor vehicle without brakes on at least two wheels. (b) Every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle when operated upon a roadway shall be equipped with at least one brake, which may be operated by hand or foot. (c) Every trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more when operated upon a roadway shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold such vehicle and so designed as to be applied by the driver of the towing motor vehicle from its cab. Such brakes shall be so designed and connected that in case of an accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle the brakes are automatically applied. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-020 Brakes - Stopping capability - Maintenance.

9-76-020 Brakes - Stopping capability - Maintenance. (a) The service brakes upon any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles operating on a level surface shall be adequate to stop such vehicle or vehicles within a distance of 30 feet when traveling 20 miles per hour upon dry asphalt or concrete pavement surface free from loose material. (b) Under the above conditions the hand brake shall be adequate to stop such vehicle or vehicles within a distance of 55 feet and the hand brake shall be adequate to hold such vehicle or vehicles stationary on any grade upon which operated. (c) Under the above conditions the service brakes upon an antique vehicle, as defined in the Illinois Vehicle Code, shall be adequate to stop the vehicle within a distance of 40 feet and the hand brake adequate to stop the vehicle within a distance of 55 feet. (d) All braking distances specified in this section shall apply to all vehicles mentioned, whether such vehicles are not loaded or are loaded to the maximum capacity permitted by law. (e) All brakes shall be maintained in good working order and shall be so adjusted as to operate evenly with respect to the wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-030 Windshield wipers.

9-76-030 Windshield wipers. Every motor vehicle, except motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, operating on a roadway and equipped with a windshield shall also be equipped with a self-operating windshield wiper which shall be maintained in good operating condition. The windshield wiper shall provide clear vision through the windshield for the driver and shall be operated under conditions of fog, snow or rain. This section shall not apply to snow removal equipment equipped with adequate manually operated windshield wipers. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 3-26-96, p. 19161, effective 1-1-97; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-040 Horns and warning devices.

9-76-040 Horns and warning devices. (a) Every motor vehicle when operated upon any roadway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance not less than 200 feet, but no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. (b) No vehicle shall be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a vehicle, any siren, whistle or bell, except that this prohibition shall not apply to: (i) an authorized emergency vehicle as otherwise permitted in the traffic code; (ii) a city-owned or city-leased vehicle equipped with a siren, whistle, air-horn or bell, when such sound equipment is used in accordance with rules or guidelines developed by the Commissioner of Fleet and Facility Management; and (iii) a vehicle equipped with a siren, whistle or bell as otherwise permitted under the Illinois Vehicle Code, codified at 625 ILCS 5/1-100, et seq. when such sound equipment is used in accordance with applicable law. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-13, p. 67481, Art. II, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-19, p. 11390, Art. III, § 15; Amend Coun. J. 11-15-23, p. 6542, Art. I, § 15)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-050 Required lighting.

9-76-050 Required lighting. When upon any roadway, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles: (a) Every motorcycle shall exhibit at all times at least one lighted lamp showing a white light visible at a distance of 500 feet in the direction of travel; (b) All motor vehicles other than motorcycles shall exhibit at least two lighted head lamps showing white lights or lights with a yellow or amber tint, during the period of sunset to sunrise, and at any other times when due to insufficient natural light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions (fog, snow or rain), person and vehicles are not clearly discernible for a distance of 1,000 feet in the direction of travel; (c) Each motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer shall also exhibit at least one lighted lamp which shall be so situated as to throw a red light visible for at least 500 feet in the reverse direction; (d) The registration plate at the back of every motorcycle and every motor vehicle shall be so lighted that the numbers on said plate shall be plainly legible and intelligible at a distance of 50 feet; and (e) Every trailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less including the weight of the trailer and maximum load shall be equipped with two lighted lamps, one on each side of the rear of such trailer which shall be so situated as to throw a red light visible for at least 500 feet in the reverse direction. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-060 Spot lamps and auxiliary driving lamps.

9-76-060 Spot lamps and auxiliary driving lamps. (a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one spot lamp, except authorized emergency vehicles, and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle nor more than 100 feet ahead of the vehicle. (b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed three auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than 12 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 3-26-96, p. 19161, effective 1-1-97; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-070 Side cowl, fender, running board courtesy, and back-up lamps.

9-76-070 Side cowl, fender, running board courtesy, and back-up lamps. (a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two side cowl or fender lamps which shall emit an amber or white light without glare. (b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one running board courtesy lamp on each side thereof which shall emit a white or amber light without glare. (c) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with a back-up lamp either separately or in combination with another lamp; except that no such back-up lamp shall be continuously lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion. (d) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as herein required is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof projecting a beam of an intensity greater than 300 candle-power, not more than a total of four of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 3-26-96, p. 19161, effective 1-1-97; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959, § 3)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-080 Non-motor-driven vehicles - Lighting requirements.

9-76-080 Non-motor-driven vehicles - Lighting requirements. All non-motor-driven vehicles including animal- drawn vehicles while being operated on the roadway between the period of sunset to sunrise shall at all times be equipped with at least one lighted lamp or lantern exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front of such vehicle and with a lamp or lantern exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 3-26-96, p. 19161, effective 1-1-97; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959, § 4)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-090 Parked vehicles - Lighting regulations.

9-76-090 Parked vehicles - Lighting regulations. (a) Whenever a vehicle is lawfully parked at nighttime upon any lighted street within a business or residence district, no lights need be displayed upon such parked vehicle. (b) Whenever a vehicle is parked upon an unlighted street or highway during the hours between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, such vehicle shall be equipped with one or more lamps which shall exhibit a white light on the roadway side visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front of the vehicle and a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. (c) Any lighted head lamps upon a parked vehicle shall be depressed or dimmed. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-100 Suspension system.

9-76-100 Suspension system. (a) It shall be unlawful to operate a motor vehicle on any roadway when the suspension system has been modified from the original manufactured design by lifting the body from the chassis in excess of three inches or to cause the horizontal line from the front to the rear bumper to vary over three inches in height when measured from a level surface of the highway to the lower edge of the bumper. (b) Nothing in this section shall prevent the installation of manufactured heavy duty equipment to include shock absorbers and overload springs, nor shall anything contained in this section prevent a person to operate a motor vehicle with normal wear of the suspension system if such condition does not affect the control or safe operation of the vehicle. This section shall not apply to motor vehicles designed or modified primarily for off-highway racing purposes while such vehicles are in tow or to motorcycles or motor-driven cycles. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 3-26-96, p. 19161, effective 1-1-97; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 166)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-110 Bumpers.

9-76-110 Bumpers. (a) It shall be unlawful to operate any vehicle of the first division or a recreational vehicle on any roadway unless such vehicle is equipped with both front and rear bumpers. The bumper height shall not be modified to vary more than three inches from the original manufactured bumper height for that vehicle when measured from a level surface of the highway to the lower edge of the bumper. Nothing in this section shall prevent the installation of manufactured bumper guards. (b) This section shall not apply to any motor vehicle designed or modified primarily for off-highway racing purposes while such vehicle is in tow or to motorcycles or motor-driven cycles or to an antique vehicle when registered as such and where the original design did not include bumpers. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 3-26-96, p. 19161, effective 1-1-97; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959, § 6)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-120 Rear view mirrors.

9-76-120 Rear view mirrors. Every motor vehicle, operated singly or when towing another vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the roadway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 3-26-96, p. 19161, effective 1-1-97; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959, § 7; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 167)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-130 Rear reflectors on trailers.

9-76-130 Rear reflectors on trailers. Every trailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less including the weight of the trailer and maximum load, towed either by a motor vehicle of the first division or a motor vehicle of the second division shall be equipped with two red reflectors, which will be visible when hit by headlight beams 300 feet away at night, located on the rear of the body of such trailer, not more than 12 inches from the lower left hand and right hand corners. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 3-26-96, p. 19161, effective 1-1-97; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959, § 8)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-140 Exhaust system.

9-76-140 Exhaust system. (a) (1) Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke. (2) No person shall use a muffler cutout, by-pass, straight pipe or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a street, highway or other public way within the City. Any person who violates this subsection (a)(2) shall be subject to the fine set forth in Section 9-100-020(c) for each offense. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. (3) No person shall operate any motor vehicle on any public way with any exhaust system or exhaust system component that is not labeled in accordance with Sections 205.158 and 205.169 of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, indicating that the exhaust system or exhaust system component meets the applicable federal noise emission requirements. For purposes of this subsection (a), the term "straight pipe" means an exhaust pipe lacking a muffler. (b) The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke. No person shall operate at any place in the city any vehicle which generates excessive visible emissions of smoke from the exhaust pipe; provided, however, this prohibition shall not include emissions of water or water vapor from the exhaust pipe which is created during cold weather start-up. (c) The owner of any vehicle that is used in violation of this section may be subject to seizure and impoundment. In such case the owner of record of such vehicle shall be liable to the city for an administrative penalty of $750.00 in addition to fees applicable under Section 9-92-080 for towing and storage of the vehicle. (d) Whenever a police officer has probable cause to believe that a vehicle is subject to seizure and impoundment pursuant to this section, the police officer shall provide for the towing of the vehicle to a facility controlled by the City or its agents. Before or at the time the vehicle is towed, the police officer shall notify any person identifying himself as the owner of the vehicle or any person who is found to be in control of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation, if there is such person, of the fact of the seizure and of the vehicle owner's right to request a preliminary hearing to be conducted under Section 2-14-132 of this Code by serving such person with a copy of the vehicle impoundment seizure report. (e) Section 2-14-132 shall apply whenever a motor vehicle is seized and impounded pursuant to this section. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-97, p. 57861; Amend Coun. J. 7-26-06, p. 81473, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-09, p. 73413, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-30-14, p. 79799, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-24-19, p. 2674, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 5-23-22, p. 47811, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-7-22, p. 55595, Art. IV, § 4)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-145 Broadcast or recorded sound restrictions.

9-76-145 Broadcast or recorded sound restrictions. (a) No person shall play, use, operate, or permit to be played, used or operated, a device for receiving broadcast sound or reproducing recorded sound in any motor vehicle on the public way in a manner or at a volume such that the sound generated by the device is clearly audible to a person with normal hearing at a distance greater than 75 feet. This section shall not apply between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. to a person participating in: (1) a public assembly, as that term is defined in Section 10-8-334; or (2) a parade, athletic event or outdoor special event, as defined in Sections 10-8-330, 10-8-332 or 10-8-335 of this Code, for which a permit has been issued, if required, and the person is in compliance with the permit. (b) Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of $50.00 for a first offense, $100.00 for a second offense committed within a one-year period, and $500.00 for a third or subsequent offense committed within a one-year period. (Added Coun. J. 7-26-06, p. 81473, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 14596, Art. I, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 1-18-12, p. 19230, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 7-22-20, p. 18957, § 6)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-150 Burglar alarms.

9-76-150 Burglar alarms. (a) In any vehicle equipped with a continuous or intermittent audible signal device which acts as a burglar alarm, such device shall be limited in operation to four minutes after activation and shall be incapable of further operation until reset to become active again. (b) No person shall install or maintain in any vehicle registered in the city any continuous or intermittent audible signal device for use as a burglar alarm unless the device is equipped with an automatic shut-off mechanism to terminate the alarm sound after four minutes and an automatic reset mechanism to reengage the alarm for further operation. No person shall operate or park on any roadway any vehicle equipped with any continuous or intermittent audible signal device for use as a burglar alarm unless the device is equipped with an automatic shut-off mechanism to terminate the alarm sound after four minutes and an automatic reset mechanism to reengage the alarm for further operation. (c) Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of $50.00 for each offense. Any person who violates this section a second time shall be subject to a fine of $75.00, any person who violates this section a third or subsequent time shall be subject to a fine of $100.00. Each installation and each use of an alarm in violation of this section shall constitute a separate and distinct offense; provided, however, it shall not be a violation of this section to operate a device for a period of time in excess of four minutes if the device is designed to be triggered by the unauthorized opening of the hood, trunk or door of the vehicle, or by the breaking of a window, and the operation of the device in excess of four minutes was so caused. A violation of this section on a roadway is hereby declared a public nuisance which may be abated by removing such vehicle to a city vehicle pound or authorized garage. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 1-10-96, p. 14739; Amend Coun. J. 3-26-96, p. 19161, effective 1-1-97)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-160 Registration plates.

9-76-160 Registration plates. (a) Every vehicle in the City subject to the registration plates requirements of the Illinois Vehicle Code shall bear registration plates in the manner required by that Code. It is illegal to park a vehicle on any roadway if the registration plate or other registration material fails to comply with this subsection. Any person who violates this subsection shall be fined the amount set forth in Section 9-100-020 for each offense. Specific requirements for covered vehicles are set forth below: (1) Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, trailer, semi-trailer or truck-tractor shall be attached to the front and rear of the vehicle. (2) The registration plate issued for a motorcycle, trailer or semi-trailer shall be attached to the rear thereof. (3) The registration plate issued for a truck- tractor shall be attached to the front thereof. (4) Every registration plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging and at a height of not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of such plate, in a place and position to be clearly visible and shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible. (5) It is unlawful for any person (A) to operate any motor vehicle that is equipped with registration plate or digital registration plate covers, as defined by Section 3-400 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/3-400, or any other cover, coating, wrapping, material, streaking, distorting, holographic, reflective, or other device that obstructs the visibility or electronic image recording of the registration plate or digital registration plate. (B) to physically alter any registration plate or digital registration plate with any chemical or reflective substance or coating that obstructs the visibility or electronic image recording of such registration plate or digital registration plate. (C) in an effort to hinder a peace officer from obtaining the registration or plate number for the enforcement of a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code or this Code, to fail to display a registration plate or to modify the original manufacturer’s mounting location of the rear registration plate or digital registration plate on any vehicle so as to conceal the registration or plate or to knowingly cause such plate to be obstructed. Modifications prohibited by this subsection include, but are not limited to, the use of an electronic device. (D) to leave any vehicle on the public way with a registration plate, digital registration plate, or temporary permit that is (i) not registered to that vehicle, or (ii) equipped with registration plate or digital registration plate covers, or any other cover, coating, wrapping, material, streaking, distorting, holographic, reflective, or other device that obstructs the visibility or electronic image recording of the registration plate or digital registration plate. (6) It is unlawful for any person to leave any vehicle on the public way without a registration plate, digital registration plate, or temporary permit. (b) Every registration plate, temporary permit or evidence of temporary registration must bear evidence of proper registration for the current period and be clearly displayed. If the vehicle is subject to registration in the State of Illinois, evidence of registration must be displayed in the manner required by the Secretary of State. It is illegal to park a vehicle on any roadway if the registration plate or other registration material fails to comply with this subsection. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e) of this section, any person who violates this subsection shall be fined the amount set forth in Section 9-100-020 for each offense. (c) It is unlawful for any person to advertise for sale, keep for the purpose of sale, offer or expose for sale, or sell, including via the internet, any product advertised as having the capacity to obstruct the visibility or electronic image recording of a registration plate or digital registration plate, including registration plate or digital registration plate covers. Any person violating any of the provisions of this subsection (c) shall be fined not less than $750 nor more than $1,000 for each offense. Each violation of this subsection (c) shall be considered a separate and distinct offense and shall be regarded as being committed on each day on which such person shall continue or permit any such violation. In addition to any fine or other penalty imposed by this Code, the corporation counsel may seek an injunction or other equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to stop any violation of this subsection (c). In addition to injunctive or other equitable relief, such suit shall also seek a full accounting of the records of all sales to residents or other entities within the City. (d) The owner of record of any vehicle in violation of subsection (a)(5) of this section shall be subject to an administrative penalty of $500 plus any towing and storage fees applicable under Section 9-92-080. Any such motor vehicle shall be subject to seizure and impoundment pursuant to this section. Whenever a police officer has probable cause to believe that a vehicle is subject to seizure and impoundment pursuant to this section, the police officer shall provide for the towing of the vehicle to a facility controlled by the City or its agents. Before or at the time the vehicle is towed, the police officer shall notify any person identifying themselves as the owner of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation or the person who is found to be in control of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation, if there is such person, of the fact of the seizure and of the vehicle owner’s right to request a vehicle impoundment hearing to be conducted under Section 2-14-132 of this Code by serving such person with a copy of the vehicle impoundment seizure report. Section 2-14-132 shall apply whenever a non-highway vehicle is seized and impounded pursuant to this section. (e) Any individual cited for violation of subsection (b) of this section may raise as an affirmative defense that the violation has been corrected prior to adjudication of the citation. The affirmative defense provided in this subsection shall apply to all citations issued within a 30 day period prior to the date of compliance for the same violation, and it shall be limited to only one such defense per a permanent vehicle license plate number of a vehicle registered in the name of an individual defendant as a sole or joint owner. (f) A vehicle parked on the public way in violation of subsection (a)(6) of this section shall be subject to a tow in accordance with Section 9-92-030. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 3-26-96, p. 19161, effective 1-1-97; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959, § 9; Amend Coun. J. 12-12-01, p. 75777, § 5.5; Amend Coun. J. 11-13-07, p. 14999, Art. I, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-16, p. 37901, Art. VIII, § 9; Amend Coun. J. 4-21-21, p. 29728, § 6; Amend Coun. J. 10-27-21, p. 40504, Art. I, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-15-23, p. 6700, Art. I, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 2-19-25, p. 24594, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-18-25, p. 29797, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 12-20-25, p. 39283, Art. V, § 8)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-170 Reserved. Editor's note – Coun. J. 2-15-12, p. 20533, § 1, repealed § 9-76-170, which pertained to city wheel tax license emblems.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-180 Safety belts.

9-76-180 Safety belts. (a) Each driver and front seat passenger of a passenger motor vehicle shall wear properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belts, except that a child less than six years of age shall be protected as required by the Child Passenger Protection Act of the State of Illinois. Each driver of a passenger motor vehicle transporting a child six years of age or more, but less than 16 years of age, in the front seat of a passenger motor vehicle shall be responsible for securing such child in a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt. For the purposes of this section, use of seat safety belts shall include the use of shoulder harnesses where such harness is a standard part of the equipment of the passenger motor vehicle. (b) All school buses, as defined in Section 1-182 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, codified as 625 ILCS 5/1-182, as amended, that meet the minimum Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 222 for the purposes of transporting children 18 and under shall be equipped with an individual set of seat safety belts meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 208 and 209 as they apply to a multipassenger vehicle with a gross weight at or under 10,000 pounds, in good operating condition for each passenger. No school bus shall be operated unless all passengers' safety belts are fastened. (c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to: (1) A driver or passenger frequently stopping and leaving the vehicle or delivering property from the vehicle, if the speed of the vehicle between stops does not exceed 15 miles per hour; (2) A driver or passenger possessing a written statement from a physician that he or she is unable for medical or physical reasons to wear a seat safety belt; (3) A driver or passenger possessing a certificate or license endorsement issued by the Motor Vehicle Division of the state or a similar agency in another state or county indicating that the driver or passenger is unable for medical, physical or other valid reasons to wear a seat safety belt; (4) A driver operating a motor vehicle in reverse; (5) A passenger motor vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1965; (6) A motorcycle, motortricycle or moped; (7) Any passenger motor vehicle which is not required to be equipped with seat safety belts under state or federal law, except school buses; (8) A passenger motor vehicle operated by a postal carrier of the United States Postal Service while such carrier is performing his or her duties as a postal carrier; or (9) A school bus transporting students who reside and attend schools situated outside of the city. (d) Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be fined $25.00. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 6-29-05, p. 52453, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-190 Identification on second division vehicles.

9-76-190 Identification on second division vehicles. No second division vehicle designed and used for carrying or pulling freight or cargo in the furtherance of a commercial or industrial enterprise shall be operated upon a roadway unless there is painted or otherwise firmly affixed to both sides of such vehicle, in a color or colors vividly contrasting to the color of the vehicle, the name and address of the owner thereof and the maximum empty weight of such vehicle. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 5-22-91, p. 826; Amend Coun. J. 3-26-96, p. 19161, effective 1-1-97; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959, § 10)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-200 Projecting loads and trailer restrictions.

9-76-200 Projecting loads and trailer restrictions. (a) No motor vehicle of the first division shall be operated on any roadway with any loaded carrier extending beyond the line of the fenders on the left side of such vehicle nor extending more than six inches beyond the line of the fenders on the right side. (b) No commercial vehicle shall be operated on any roadway with any load extending to the rear four feet or more beyond the bed or body of such vehicle unless there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, (1) during the periods when lighted lamps are required in this chapter, a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the rear and sides, or (2) during all other times a red flag or cloth not less than 16 inches square and visible to the driver of any vehicle approaching from the rear or sides. The red light or lantern required under this section shall be in addition to the red rear light required upon every vehicle. (c) No trailer shall be operated on any roadway while attached to a self-propelled motor vehicle or to a leading trailer or semitrailer, unless in addition to the regular coupling device it shall have suitable and adequate safety chains or devices attached to the corners of the trailer frame of sufficient strength to pull the trailer and its maximum load; provided, that any trailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less including the weight of the trailer and maximum load may be coupled to the towing vehicle by means of clamp-on hitches which hitches shall be designed and installed to effectively transfer stresses to the chassis of the towing vehicle. Such clamps and coupling bar shall be of sufficient strength to hold and control such trailer when fully loaded. Such trailers shall be equipped with two safety chains or cables which are permanently affixed to the tongue of the trailer. When such trailer is attached to the towing vehicle, the free end of each chain or cable shall be attached to the towing vehicle. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 3-26-96, p. 19161, effective 1-1-97; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959, § 11)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-210 Broken or inoperable lamps; broken or cracked glass.

9-76-210 Broken or inoperable lamps; broken or cracked glass. (a) No person shall operate any vehicle on any roadway if any lamp or light required for the vehicle by this Code is broken or inoperable. (b) No person shall operate any vehicle on any roadway if any window of the vehicle is missing, broken, or cracked and the crack exceeds six inches in length. (Added Coun. J. 3-26-96, p. 19161, effective 1-1-97; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-97, p. 38959, § 12)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-220 Reserved. Editor's note – Coun. J. 11-7-22, p. 55595, Art. IV, § 3, repealed § 9-76-220, which pertained to obstruction of driver's vision; tinted and nonreflective windows.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-76-230 Use of mobile telephones.

9-76-230 Use of mobile telephones. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person shall drive a motor vehicle while using a mobile, cellular, analog wireless or digital telephone. "Using a mobile, cellular, analog wireless or digital telephone" shall include, but not be limited to, the following activities: (1) talking or listening to another person on the telephone; (2) text messaging; (3) sending, reading or listening to an electronic message; or (4) browsing the internet via the mobile, cellular, analog wireless or digital telephone. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, any person who violates the requirements of this subsection shall be subject to the fine range set forth in Section 9-4-020. (b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to: (1) Law enforcement officers and operators of emergency vehicles, when on duty and acting in their official capacities. (2) Persons using a telephone with a "hands free" device allowing the driver to talk into and listen to the other party without the use of hands. (3) Persons using a telephone to call 911 telephone numbers or other emergency telephone numbers to contact public safety forces. (4) Persons using a telephone while maintaining a motor vehicle in a stationary parked position, and not in gear. (c) If a violation of subsection (a) of this section occurs at the time of a traffic crash, the driver may be subject to a fine not to exceed $500.00 which shall be assessed in addition to the fine provided by Section 9-4-020. (Added Coun. J. 11-5-08, p. 43707, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 2-11-09, p. 55033, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-17-10, p. 106597, Art. II, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 10-28-15, p. 11951, Art. X, § 12; Amend Coun. J. 11-17-21, p. 41319, Art. V, § 5)

Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2646893Fetched: 10/24/2026