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Illinois General Assembly· HB 2359Governor Approved

VEH CD-EMS CHIEF PLATES, the official text

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HB2359 Enrolled                     LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   AN ACT concerning transportation.

2   Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,

3 represented in the General Assembly:

4   Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by adding

5 Section 3-699.26, and changing Sections 3-808.1, 12-215, and

6 12-601 as follows:

7   (625 ILCS 5/3-699.26 new)

8   Sec. 3-699.26. EMS chief license plates.

9   (a) Beginning with the 2027 registration year, the

10 Secretary, upon receipt of a request from a municipality that

11 operates a fire department or a fire protection district,

12 accompanied by an application and the appropriate fee, may

13 issue, to an emergency medical services (EMS) chief of the

14 municipality or fire protection district, special registration

15 plates designated as EMS chief license plates. The special

16 plates issued under this Section shall be affixed only to

17 passenger vehicles of the first division or motor vehicles of

18 the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds that

19 are owned by an EMS chief, a municipality, or a fire protection

20 district. Plates issued under this Section shall expire

21 according to the multiyear procedure established by Section

22 3-414.1.

23  (b) The design and color of the special plates shall be
    HB2359 Enrolled  -2-               LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1 wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. The plates are

2 not required to designate "Land of Lincoln" as prescribed in

3 subsection (b) of Section 3-412. The Secretary may prescribe

4 rules governing the requirements and approval of the special

5 plates. The fee for this plate for a vehicle owned by an EMS

6 chief shall be the same as the fee prescribed for first

7 division vehicles under Section 3-806. Permanent license

8 plates for EMS vehicles owned by a municipality or fire

9 protection district shall be issued at the fee prescribed in

10 subsection (b) of Section 3-808.1.

11  (c) With the exception of permanently issued plates, upon

12 the resignation, termination, or reassignment to a rank or

13 position other than EMS chief, a person issued plates under

14 this Section shall immediately surrender the license plate to

15 the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall have the

16 ability to recover license plates issued under this Section.

17  (d) Plates issued to a vehicle owned by an EMS chief under

18 this Section shall be exempt from the requirements of

19 subsection (a) of Section 3-600.

20  (625 ILCS 5/3-808.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-808.1)

21  Sec. 3-808.1. Permanent vehicle registration plate.

22  (a) Permanent vehicle registration plates shall be issued,

23 at no charge, to the following:

24  1. Vehicles, other than medical transport vehicles,

25  owned and operated by the State of Illinois or by any State
    HB2359 Enrolled           -3-  LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   agency financed by funds appropriated by the General

2   Assembly;

3   2. Special disability plates issued to vehicles owned

4   and operated by the State of Illinois or by any State

5   agency financed by funds appropriated by the General

6   Assembly.

7   (b) Permanent vehicle registration plates shall be issued,

8 for a one-time fee of $8.00, to the following:

9   1. Vehicles, other than medical transport vehicles,

10  operated by or for any county, township or municipal

11  corporation.

12  2. Vehicles owned by counties, townships or municipal

13  corporations for persons with disabilities.

14  3. Beginning with the 1991 registration year,

15  county-owned vehicles operated by or for any county

16  sheriff and designated deputy sheriffs. These registration

17  plates shall contain the specific county code and unit

18  number.

19  4. All-terrain vehicles owned by counties, townships,

20  or municipal corporations and used for law enforcement

21  purposes when the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin is

22  accompanied with a letter from the original manufacturer

23  or a manufacturer's franchised dealer stating that this

24  all-terrain vehicle has been converted to a street worthy

25  vehicle that meets the equipment requirements set forth in

26  Chapter 12 of this Code.
    HB2359 Enrolled    -4-  LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   5. Beginning with the 2001 registration year,

2   municipally owned vehicles operated by or for any police

3   department. These registration plates shall contain the

4   designation "municipal police" and shall be numbered and

5   distributed as prescribed by the Secretary of State.

6   6. Beginning with the 2014 registration year,

7   municipally owned, fire district owned, or Mutual Aid Box

8   Alarm System (MABAS) owned vehicles operated by or for any

9   fire department, fire protection district, or MABAS. These

10  registration plates shall display the designation "Fire

11  Department" and shall display the specific fire

12  department, fire district, fire unit, or MABAS division

13  number or letter.

14  7. Beginning with the 2017 registration year, vehicles

15  that do not require a school bus driver permit under

16  Section 6-104 to operate and are not registered under

17  Section 3-617 of this Code, and are owned by a public

18  school district from grades K-12 or a public community

19  college.

20  8. Beginning with the 2017 registration year, vehicles

21  of the first division or vehicles of the second division

22  weighing not more than 8,000 pounds that are owned by a

23  medical facility or hospital of a municipality, county, or

24  township.

25  9. Beginning with the 2020 registration year, 2-axle

26  motor vehicles that (i) are designed and used as buses in a
    HB2359 Enrolled       -5-  LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   public system for transporting more than 10 passengers;

2   (ii) are used as common carriers in the general

3   transportation of passengers and not devoted to any

4   specialized purpose; (iii) operate entirely within the

5   territorial limits of a single municipality or a single

6   municipality and contiguous municipalities; and (iv) are

7   subject to the regulation of the Illinois Commerce

8   Commission. The owner of a vehicle under this paragraph is

9   exempt from paying a flat weight tax or a mileage weight

10  tax under this Code.

11  10. Beginning with the 2027 registration year,

12  vehicles owned by a municipality or fire protection

13  district operated by or for the emergency medical services

14  (EMS) chief that are eligible for issuance of EMS chief

15  license plates under Section 3-699.26.

16  (b-5) Beginning with the 2016 registration year, permanent

17 vehicle registration plates shall be issued for a one-time fee

18 of $8.00 to a county, township, or municipal corporation that

19 owns or operates vehicles used for the purpose of community

20 workplace commuting as defined by the Secretary of State by

21 administrative rule. The design and color of the plates shall

22 be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. The

23 Secretary of State may adopt rules to implement this

24 subsection (b-5).

25  (c) Beginning with the 2012 registration year,

26 county-owned vehicles operated by or for any county sheriff
    HB2359 Enrolled  -6-  LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1 and designated deputy sheriffs that have been issued

2 registration plates under subsection (b) of this Section shall

3 be exempt from any fee for the transfer of registration from

4 one vehicle to another vehicle. Each county sheriff shall

5 report to the Secretary of State any transfer of registration

6 plates from one vehicle to another vehicle operated by or for

7 any county sheriff and designated deputy sheriffs. The

8 Secretary of State shall adopt rules to implement this

9 subsection (c).

10  (c-5) Beginning with the 2014 registration year,

11 municipally owned, fire district owned, or Mutual Aid Box

12 Alarm System (MABAS) owned vehicles operated by or for any

13 fire department, fire protection district, or MABAS that have

14 been issued registration plates under subsection (b) of this

15 Section shall be exempt from any fee for the transfer of

16 registration from one vehicle to another vehicle. Each fire

17 department, fire protection district, of MABAS shall report to

18 the Secretary of State any transfer of registration plates

19 from one vehicle to another vehicle operated by or for any fire

20 department, fire protection district, or MABAS. The Secretary

21 of State shall adopt rules to implement this subsection.

22  (d) Beginning with the 2013 registration year, municipally

23 owned vehicles operated by or for any police department that

24 have been issued registration plates under subsection (b) of

25 this Section shall be exempt from any fee for the transfer of

26 registration from one vehicle to another vehicle. Each
    HB2359 Enrolled  -7-                LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1 municipal police department shall report to the Secretary of

2 State any transfer of registration plates from one vehicle to

3 another vehicle operated by or for any municipal police

4 department. The Secretary of State shall adopt rules to

5 implement this subsection (d).

6   (e) Beginning with the 2016 registration year, any vehicle

7 owned or operated by a county, township, or municipal

8 corporation that has been issued registration plates under

9 this Section is exempt from any fee for the transfer of

10 registration from one vehicle to another vehicle. Each county,

11 township, or municipal corporation shall report to the

12 Secretary of State any transfer of registration plates from

13 one vehicle to another vehicle operated by or for any county,

14 township, or municipal corporation.

15  (f) Beginning with the 2020 registration year, any vehicle

16 owned or operated by a public school district from grades

17 K-12, a public community college, or a medical facility or

18 hospital of a municipality, county, or township that has been

19 issued registration plates under this Section is exempt from

20 any fee for the transfer of registration from one vehicle to

21 another vehicle. Each school district, public community

22 college, or medical facility or hospital shall report to the

23 Secretary any transfer of registration plates from one vehicle

24 to another vehicle operated by the school district, public

25 community college, or medical facility.

26  (g) Beginning with the 2025 registration year, vehicles
    HB2359 Enrolled      -8-  LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1 owned or operated by or for a private or public university
2 police department or a private or public college police
3 department, except for motor driven cycles and all-terrain
4 vehicles, may be registered under subsection (b) of this
5 Section. These registration plates shall contain the
6 designation "university police" or "college police" and shall
7 be numbered and distributed as prescribed by the Secretary of
8 State.
9 (Source: P.A. 103-135, eff. 1-1-24.)

10  (625 ILCS 5/12-215)

11  Sec. 12-215. Oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights on

12 motor vehicles. Except as otherwise provided in this Code:

13  (a) The use of red or white oscillating, rotating, or

14 flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited

15 except on:

16  1. Law enforcement vehicles of State, federal, or

17  local authorities;

18  2. A vehicle operated by a police officer or county

19  coroner and designated or authorized by local authorities,

20  in writing, as a law enforcement vehicle; however, such

21  designation or authorization must be carried in the

22  vehicle;

23  2.1. A vehicle operated by a fire chief, deputy fire

24  chief, or assistant fire chief who has completed an

25  emergency vehicle operation training course approved by
    HB2359 Enrolled       -9-       LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   the Office of the State Fire Marshal and designated or

2   authorized by local authorities, fire departments, or fire

3   protection districts, in writing, as a fire department,

4   fire protection district, or township fire department

5   vehicle; however, the designation or authorization must be

6   carried in the vehicle, and the lights may be visible or

7   activated only when responding to a bona fide emergency;

8   3. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or

9   federal firefighting vehicles;

10  4. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively as

11  ambulances or rescue vehicles; furthermore, such lights

12  shall not be lighted except when responding to an

13  emergency call for and while actually conveying the sick

14  or injured;

15  4.5. Vehicles operated by an EMS chief that are

16  affixed with EMS chief special registration plates or

17  vehicles which are occasionally used as rescue vehicles

18  that have been authorized for use as rescue vehicles by a

19  volunteer EMS provider, provided that the operator of the

20  vehicle has successfully completed an emergency vehicle

21  operation training course recognized by the Department of

22  Public Health; furthermore, the lights shall not be

23  lighted except when responding to an emergency call for

24  the sick or injured;

25  5. Tow trucks licensed in a state that requires such

26  lights; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on
    HB2359 Enrolled      - 10 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   any such tow truck while the tow truck is operating in the

2   State of Illinois;

3   6. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management

4   Agency, vehicles of the Office of the Illinois State Fire

5   Marshal, vehicles of the Illinois Department of Public

6   Health, vehicles of the Illinois Department of

7   Corrections, and vehicles of the Illinois Department of

8   Juvenile Justice;

9   7. Vehicles operated by a local or county emergency

10  management services agency as defined in the Illinois

11  Emergency Management Agency Act;

12  8. School buses operating alternately flashing head

13  lamps as permitted under Section 12-805 of this Code;

14  9. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as

15  organ transplant vehicles when used in combination with

16  blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights;

17  furthermore, these lights shall be lighted only when the

18  transportation is declared an emergency by a member of the

19  transplant team or a representative of the organ

20  procurement organization;

21  10. Vehicles of the Illinois Department of Natural

22  Resources that are used for mine rescue and explosives

23  emergency response;

24  11. Vehicles of the Illinois Department of

25  Transportation identified as Emergency Traffic Patrol; the

26  lights shall not be lighted except when responding to an
    HB2359 Enrolled  - 11 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   emergency call or when parked or stationary while engaged

2   in motor vehicle assistance or at the scene of the

3   emergency; and

4   12. Vehicles of the Illinois State Toll Highway

5   Authority with a gross vehicle weight rating of 9,000

6   pounds or more and those identified as Highway Emergency

7   Lane Patrol; the lights shall not be lighted except when

8   responding to an emergency call or when parked or

9   stationary while engaged in motor vehicle assistance or at

10  the scene of the emergency.

11  (b) The use of amber oscillating, rotating, or flashing

12 lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:

13  1. Second division vehicles designed and used for

14  towing or hoisting vehicles; furthermore, such lights

15  shall not be lighted except as required in this paragraph

16  1; such lights shall be lighted when such vehicles are

17  actually being used at the scene of a crash or

18  disablement; if the towing vehicle is equipped with a flat

19  bed that supports all wheels of the vehicle being

20  transported, the lights shall not be lighted while the

21  vehicle is engaged in towing on a highway; if the towing

22  vehicle is not equipped with a flat bed that supports all

23  wheels of a vehicle being transported, the lights shall be

24  lighted while the towing vehicle is engaged in towing on a

25  highway during all times when the use of headlights is

26  required under Section 12-201 of this Code; in addition,
    HB2359 Enrolled  - 12 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   these vehicles may use white oscillating, rotating, or

2   flashing lights in combination with amber oscillating,

3   rotating, or flashing lights as provided in this

4   paragraph;

5   2. Motor vehicles or equipment of the State of

6   Illinois, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, local

7   authorities, and contractors; furthermore, such lights

8   shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are

9   engaged in maintenance or construction operations within

10  the limits of construction projects;

11  3. Vehicles or equipment used by engineering or survey

12  crews; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted

13  except while such vehicles are actually engaged in work on

14  a highway;

15  4. Vehicles of public utilities, municipalities, or

16  other construction, maintenance, or automotive service

17  vehicles except that such lights shall be lighted only as

18  a means for indicating the presence of a vehicular traffic

19  hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking,

20  or passing while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance,

21  service, or construction on a highway;

22  5. Oversized vehicle or load; however, such lights

23  shall only be lighted when moving under permit issued by

24  the Department under Section 15-301 of this Code;

25  6. The front and rear of motorized equipment owned and

26  operated by the State of Illinois or any political
    HB2359 Enrolled  - 13 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   subdivision thereof, which is designed and used for

2   removal of snow and ice from highways;

3   6.1. The front and rear of motorized equipment or

4   vehicles that (i) are not owned by the State of Illinois or

5   any political subdivision of the State, (ii) are designed

6   and used for removal of snow and ice from highways and

7   parking lots, and (iii) are equipped with a snow plow that

8   is 12 feet in width; these lights may not be lighted except

9   when the motorized equipment or vehicle is actually being

10  used for those purposes on behalf of a unit of government;

11  7. Fleet safety vehicles registered in another state,

12  furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except as

13  provided for in Section 12-212 of this Code;

14  8. Such other vehicles as may be authorized by local

15  authorities;

16  9. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local

17  authorities when used in combination with red oscillating,

18  rotating, or flashing lights;

19  9.5. Propane delivery trucks;

20  10. Vehicles used for collecting or delivering mail

21  for the United States Postal Service provided that such

22  lights shall not be lighted except when such vehicles are

23  actually being used for such purposes;

24  10.5. Vehicles of the Office of the Illinois State

25  Fire Marshal, provided that such lights shall not be

26  lighted except for when such vehicles are engaged in work
    HB2359 Enrolled          - 14 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal;

2   11. Any vehicle displaying a slow-moving vehicle

3   emblem as provided in Section 12-205.1;

4   12. All trucks equipped with self-compactors or

5   roll-off hoists and roll-on containers for garbage,

6   recycling, or refuse hauling. Such lights shall not be

7   lighted except when such vehicles are actually being used

8   for such purposes;

9   13. Vehicles used by a security company, alarm

10  responder, control agency, or the Illinois Department of

11  Corrections;

12  14. Security vehicles of the Department of Human

13  Services; however, the lights shall not be lighted except

14  when being used for security related purposes under the

15  direction of the superintendent of the facility where the

16  vehicle is located; and

17  15. Vehicles of union representatives, except that the

18  lights shall be lighted only while the vehicle is within

19  the limits of a construction project.

20  (c) The use of blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing

21 lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:

22  1. Rescue squad vehicles not owned by a fire

23  department or fire protection district and vehicles owned

24  or operated by an EMS chief as provided in subsection (a);

25  a: voluntary firefighter; a paid firefighter; a part-paid

26  firefighter; a call firefighter; a member of the board of
    HB2359 Enrolled  - 15 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   trustees of a fire protection district; a paid or unpaid

2   member of a rescue squad; a paid or unpaid member of a

3   voluntary ambulance unit; or a paid or unpaid members of a

4   local or county emergency management services agency as

5   defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act,

6   designated or authorized by local authorities, in writing,

7   and carrying that designation or authorization in the

8   vehicle.

9   However, such lights are not to be lighted except when

10  responding to a bona fide emergency or when parked or

11  stationary at the scene of a fire, rescue call, ambulance

12  call, or motor vehicle crash.

13  Any person using these lights in accordance with this

14  subdivision (c)1 must carry on his or her person an

15  identification card or letter identifying the bona fide

16  member of a fire department, fire protection district,

17  rescue squad, ambulance unit, or emergency management

18  services agency that owns or operates that vehicle. The

19  card or letter must include:

20  (A) the name of the fire department, fire

21  protection district, rescue squad, ambulance unit, or

22  emergency management services agency;

23  (B) the member's position within the fire

24  department, fire protection district, rescue squad,

25  ambulance unit, or emergency management services

26  agency;
    HB2359 Enrolled  - 16 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   (C) the member's term of service; and

2   (D) the name of a person within the fire

3   department, fire protection district, rescue squad,

4   ambulance unit, or emergency management services

5   agency to contact to verify the information provided.

6   2. Police department vehicles in cities having a

7   population of 500,000 or more inhabitants.

8   3. Law enforcement vehicles of State or local

9   authorities when used in combination with red oscillating,

10  rotating, or flashing lights.

11  4. Vehicles of local fire departments and State or

12  federal firefighting vehicles when used in combination

13  with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.

14  5. Vehicles which are designed and used exclusively as

15  ambulances or rescue vehicles when used in combination

16  with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights;

17  furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except when

18  responding to an emergency call.

19  6. Vehicles that are equipped and used exclusively as

20  organ transport vehicles when used in combination with red

21  oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; furthermore,

22  these lights shall only be lighted when the transportation

23  is declared an emergency by a member of the transplant

24  team or a representative of the organ procurement

25  organization.

26  7. Vehicles of the Illinois Emergency Management
    HB2359 Enrolled  - 17 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   Agency, vehicles of the Office of the Illinois State Fire

2   Marshal, vehicles of the Illinois Department of Public

3   Health, vehicles of the Illinois Department of

4   Corrections, and vehicles of the Illinois Department of

5   Juvenile Justice, when used in combination with red

6   oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.

7   8. Vehicles operated by a local or county emergency

8   management services agency as defined in the Illinois

9   Emergency Management Agency Act, when used in combination

10  with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.

11  9. Vehicles of the Illinois Department of Natural

12  Resources that are used for mine rescue and explosives

13  emergency response, when used in combination with red

14  oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.

15  (c-1) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or

16 flashing lights permitted under subsection (c), and

17 notwithstanding subsection (a), a vehicle operated by a

18 voluntary firefighter, a voluntary member of a rescue squad,

19 or a member of a voluntary ambulance unit may be equipped with

20 flashing white headlights and blue grill lights, which may be

21 used only in responding to an emergency call or when parked or

22 stationary at the scene of a fire, rescue call, ambulance

23 call, or motor vehicle crash.

24  (c-2) In addition to the blue oscillating, rotating, or

25 flashing lights permitted under subsection (c), and

26 notwithstanding subsection (a), a vehicle operated by a paid
    HB2359 Enrolled  - 18 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1 or unpaid member of a local or county emergency management

2 services agency as defined in the Illinois Emergency

3 Management Agency Act, may be equipped with white oscillating,

4 rotating, or flashing lights to be used in combination with

5 blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights, if

6 authorization by local authorities is in writing and carried

7 in the vehicle.

8   (d) The use of a combination of amber and white

9 oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights, whether lighted or

10 unlighted, is prohibited except on second division vehicles

11 designed and used for towing or hoisting vehicles or motor

12 vehicles or equipment of the State of Illinois, local

13 authorities, contractors, and union representatives;

14 furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted on second

15 division vehicles designed and used for towing or hoisting

16 vehicles or vehicles of the State of Illinois, local

17 authorities, and contractors except while such vehicles are

18 engaged in a tow operation, highway maintenance, or

19 construction operations within the limits of highway

20 construction projects, and shall not be lighted on the

21 vehicles of union representatives except when those vehicles

22 are within the limits of a construction project.

23  (d-5) The use of green oscillating, flashing, or rotating

24 lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:

25  1. Second division vehicles designed and used for

26  towing or hoisting vehicles when the lights on those
    HB2359 Enrolled        - 19 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   vehicles are used in combination with amber or amber and

2   white oscillating, flashing, or rotating lights;

3   furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted except when

4   such vehicles are actually being used at the scene of a

5   crash or disablement.

6   2. Motor vehicles or equipment of the State of

7   Illinois when the lights on those vehicles or equipment

8   are used in combination with amber or amber and white

9   oscillating, flashing, or rotating lights; furthermore,

10  such lights shall not be lighted except while such

11  vehicles or equipment are engaged in maintenance

12  operations, snow and ice removal operations, or performing

13  traffic control and protection duties while at an

14  emergency scene.

15  3. Motor vehicles of the Department of Transportation

16  identified as Emergency Traffic Patrol when the lights on

17  those vehicles are used in combination with red and white

18  oscillating, flashing, or rotating lights when responding

19  to an emergency call or when parked or stationary while

20  engaged in motor vehicle assistance or at an emergency

21  scene.

22  4. Motor vehicles of the Illinois State Toll Highway

23  Authority when the lights on those vehicles are used in

24  combination with amber oscillating, flashing, or rotating

25  lights; furthermore, such lights shall not be lighted

26  except while such vehicles are engaged in maintenance
    HB2359 Enrolled   - 20 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   operations, snow and ice removal operations, or performing

2   traffic control and protection duties while at an

3   emergency scene.

4   5. Motor vehicles of the Illinois State Toll Highway

5   Authority with a gross vehicle weight rating of 9,000

6   pounds or more and those identified as Highway Emergency

7   Lane Patrol when the lights on those vehicles are used in

8   combination with red and white oscillating, flashing, or

9   rotating lights when responding to an emergency call or

10  when parked or stationary while engaged in motor vehicle

11  assistance or at the scene of the emergency.

12  6. Motor vehicles or equipment of local authority or

13  municipalities which perform highway maintenance

14  operations, when the lights on those vehicles are used in

15  combination with amber or amber and white oscillating,

16  flashing, or rotating lights; furthermore, such lights

17  shall not be lighted except while such vehicles are

18  engaged in the maintenance operations, snow and ice

19  removal operations, or performing traffic control and

20  protection duties while at an emergency scene.

21  7. Fire department vehicles of local fire departments

22  and State or federal firefighting vehicles when the lights

23  on those vehicles are used in combination with red, or red

24  and white, or red and blue, oscillating, rotating, or

25  flashing lights.

26  8. Vehicles used by a security company when the lights
    HB2359 Enrolled     - 21 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   on those vehicles are used in combination with amber

2   oscillating, flashing, or rotating lights; furthermore,

3   such lights shall not be lighted except when the vehicle

4   is being operated upon the property or location where the

5   security company is employed to perform security or crime

6   prevention duties.

7   9. Ambulances or rescue vehicles operating in counties

8   with populations of less than 2,000,000.

9   (d-10) Fire department vehicles of local fire departments

10 and State or federal firefighting vehicles, police vehicles of

11 State, federal, or local authorities, and vehicles designated

12 by local or State authority, while parked at an emergency

13 scene, may use a steady-on illumination or steady-burn, or

14 flashing green beacon or beacons if such steady-on,

15 steady-burn, or flashing beacon is used to indicate an

16 emergency operations command post or incident command

17 location.

18  (e) All oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights referred

19 to in this Section shall be of sufficient intensity, when

20 illuminated, to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.

21  (f) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a manufacturer

22 of oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights or his

23 representative or authorized vendor from temporarily mounting

24 such lights on a vehicle for demonstration purposes only. If

25 the lights are not covered while the vehicle is operated upon a

26 highway, the vehicle shall display signage indicating that the
    HB2359 Enrolled  - 22 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1 vehicle is out of service or not an emergency vehicle. The

2 signage shall be displayed on all sides of the vehicle in

3 letters at least 2 inches tall and one-half inch wide. A

4 vehicle authorized to have oscillating, rotating, or flashing

5 lights mounted for demonstration purposes may not activate the

6 lights while the vehicle is operated upon a highway.

7   (g) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (a),

8 (b), (c), (d), (d-5), or (d-10) of this Section who without

9 lawful authority stops or detains or attempts to stop or

10 detain another person shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony.

11  (h) Except as provided in subsection (g) above, any person

12 violating the provisions of subsection (a) or (c) of this

13 Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

14 (Source: P.A. 102-842, eff. 1-1-23; 102-982, eff. 7-1-23;

15 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-667, eff. 1-1-25.)

16  (625 ILCS 5/12-601) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-601)

17  Sec. 12-601. Horns and warning devices.

18  (a) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall

19 be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of

20 emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance

21 of not less than 200 feet, but no horn or other warning device

22 shall emit an unreasonable loud or harsh sound or a whistle.

23 The driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary

24 to insure safe operation give audible warning with his horn

25 but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway.
    HB2359 Enrolled  - 23 - LRB104 10032 LNS 20103 b

1   (b) No vehicle shall be equipped with nor shall any person

2 use upon a vehicle any siren, whistle, or bell, except as

3 otherwise permitted in this Section. Any authorized emergency

4 vehicle or organ transport vehicle as defined in Chapter 1 of

5 this Code or a vehicle operated by a fire chief, deputy fire

6 chief, assistant fire chief, EMS chief, or the Director or

7 Coordinator of a municipal or county emergency services and

8 disaster agency may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell

9 capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from

10 a distance of not less than 500 feet, but such siren, whistle,

11 or bell shall not be used except when such vehicle is operated

12 in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of

13 an actual or suspected violator of the law in either of which

14 events the driver of such vehicle shall sound such siren,

15 whistle, or bell when necessary to warn pedestrians and other

16 drivers of the approach thereof.

17  (c) Trackless trolley coaches, as defined by Section 1-206

18 of this Code, and replica trolleys, as defined by Section

19 1-171.04 of this Code, may be equipped with a bell or bells in

20 lieu of a horn, and may, in addition to the requirements of

21 subsection (a) of this Section, use a bell or bells for the

22 purpose of indicating arrival or departure at designated stops

23 during the hours of scheduled operation.

24 (Source: P.A. 102-448, eff. 1-1-22.)
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