Illinois parking laws: understanding the basics
Drivers know that they need to be safe and obey the laws when they are on the roadways in Illinois. However, that responsibility extends to where and how they park their vehicle as well. There are a number of laws and regulations that will dictate where you are able to park your vehicle. Failure to adhere to those laws will result in fines in many cases, and it could even mean your vehicle is towed and impounded. No one likes the idea of paying fines or paying to get their car or truck out of impound, so make sure you understand the parking laws.
What are the laws?
It is important to keep in mind that many of the towns and cities throughout Illinois will have their own fines for different types of infractions, and there may be some rules that will apply only to certain municipalities. It is always important to know the laws in your area so you can abide by them. The local laws and regulations will generally be posted on signs, particularly when they differ from the norm. You will want to follow the posted rules.
However, there are a number of laws that are present throughout the state, and it is just as important to know these. In Illinois, stopping, standing, and parking is not allowed in certain places. You are not allowed to double park. Double parking is when you park on the roadway side of another vehicle that is already parked. This would disrupt the flow of traffic, and it could be dangerous.
You are not allowed to park on a sidewalk, a crosswalk, or within an intersection. You cannot park between a safety zone and the adjacent curb either. If there is street excavation, or an obstruction in the road, you are not allowed to park in a manner that would block traffic.
Drivers in Illinois are not allowed to park on a bridge, an overpass, on railroad tracks, or in a highway tunnel. You cannot park on controlled access roadways, between roadways on divided highways, such as crossovers. You should not park on a paved road outside a business or residential district if it is possible and practical to stop off the roadway instead. If there is an emergency, you should only stop and park if you have a clear view of 200 feet in every direction. In an emergency, you also need to turn on your flashers and ensure that other vehicles have enough room to pass.
Don’t park/stand in front of public or private driveways either. You can’t park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection or a fire station driveway. You can’t park within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, or a traffic signal as well.
As you can see, there are a number of different regulations and laws that you need to be aware of when parking in Illinois. In addition, make sure you pay attention to the posted signs that could let you know the parking rules for certain areas.
