Illinois is potentially changing one of its most disfavored laws among motorist. It deals with window film, more commonly referred to as window tint. As it stands, drivers are not allowed to have any non-reflective or reflective tint film on the windows directly adjacent to each side of the driver, however if the new law takes force it will allow motorists to have window tint on the front drivers and front passengers windows which allows a 50% light transmittance.
The new notion rests in simple fact that drivers or passengers of motor vehicles should be able to protect themselves from skin cancer, while at the same time to protecting the environment from the harmful emissions created by the excessive and unnecessary use of vehicle air-conditioning systems.
Many states currently have similar rules regarding vehicle window tint, and it seems Illinois won’t be far behind. As of April 2nd, 2009 the Illinois House unanimously passed the bill in favor of the change. Currently the bill sits in the Illinois Senate after being given the “OK” by the Transportation committee.
Want to stay up to date? Check out the bill status at the Illinois General Assembly website:
Illinois General Assembly Vehicle Tinted Window Film Bill Status
57 comments:
Passed by both the Senate and the House on Saturday, off to be signed by the Governor.
How long before the Governor signs it?
Any update or idea how long this will take?
Any bill not returned by the Governor within 60 calendar days after it is presented to him shall become law. If recess or adjournment of the General Assembly prevents the return of a bill, the bill and the Governor's objections must be filed with the Secretary of State within such 60 calendar days. The Secretary of State must return the bill and objections to the originating chamber promptly upon the next meeting of the same General Assembly at which the bill can be considered.
Just a guess but I think it will likely be part of the bill mentioned here: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/08/quinn-will-sign-ban-on-texting-while-driving.html
The Governor is signing a ban on texting and driving, therefore they may try to incorporate the tint law into the same bill, a common theme in lawmaking.
It is amazing that they move to make it illegal to text while driving or to use a cell phone while in a school zone, but then at the same time blind the police that are to enforce these rules by allowing tint. Not only are some (most) politicians in Illinois corrupt, they are all idiots!
In response to the previous comment;
I believe the new tint law allows for no tints lower than the 50% range. This means that, depending on the weather conditions, most people can still see the passengers most of the time. (i.e. police officers)
If I am not mistaken the governor has niether signed nor vetoed this bill. If he does not act on it by 11:59pm next Monday, August the 24th it will become law. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it does not get shot down in the final days, but since the General Assembly is in recess until September 6th I think it's a pretty safe bet that this will become law.
Cary, IL police have been pulling drivers over recently for tinting. I received a warning last Saturday and my sister-in-law recently had the same experience. Why the sudden attention, especially with the looming change? I purchased my car in FL and have lived here for 2 years now without being pulled over until recently. Keith Kretschmar, DC
I just called the Illinois Traffic Safety division to inquire about the window tinting law in Illinois. The person I spoke with said the 50% or less for the front passenger and driver side window has not passed and the law is still now tint allowed on the front passenger and drive side window. Any idea when the new law will go into effect and how will it be communicated to the public?
If I understood right from posts above it will become a law this folowing Tuesday if governor does not object it, right?
Unfortunately, people have been gambling. Many residents of Illinois, in anticipation of the law, have been getting their windows tinted.
However regardless what the law will be in a few days, the law today stands and must be upheld. For all we know it may not be signed? It is up to the officers discretion whether or not they cite the motorist a ticket.
I assume there have been a surge of people taking their vehicles to add tints to their windows and the police have noticed.
Ammendatory Veto issued:
"August 25, 2009
To the Honorable Members of the
Illinois House of Representatives
96th General Assembly
I hereby return House Bill 3325 with a specific recommendation for change. I thank the sponsors for their hard work on this legislation. While I approve of the objective of this legislation, a technical change is necessary to correct a flaw in the bill as drafted. If this bill were to become law as written, driving multipurpose passenger vehicles (sport utilities) that have their rear windows factory tinted would violate the law.
Therefore, pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 3325, entitled “AN ACT concerning transportation”, with the following specific recommendation for change:
on page 6, by replacing lines 7 through 13 with “(3) on multipurpose passenger vehicles, as defined by Section 1-148.3b of this Code, with a nonreflective tint originally applied by the manufacturer on the windows to the rear of the driver’s seat, the side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver may be treated with a nonreflective tint that allows at least 50% light transmittance, with a 5% variance observed by a law enforcement official metering the light transmittance.”.
With these changes, House Bill 3325 will have my approval. I respectfully request your concurrence.
Sincerely,
PAT QUINN
Governor"
Thanks for the update.
Why can't they just spell it out in plain english?? Check it out...625 5/12-503(a-5) says you can have tint that does not allow less than 50% light transmittance on the front windows adjacent to the driver, BUT this section does not apply to vehicles where the rear windows have tint that allows less than 30% light transmittance. Then a-7 says you can have tint that does not allow less than 35% L.T. on the front windows adjacent to the driver, BUT this section does not apply to vehicles where the rear windows have tint that allows less than 35%L.T.? What?? a-5 says 30% in the exception and a-7 says 35%. Why do we need both sections in the first place? Just say we can have no less than 35% L.T. on the front as long as we don't have tint on the rear windows that allow less than 30% L.T. Then, to make matters worse, skip to a-9, which deals with mulit-purpose vehicles, and read where you can have tint that does not allow less than 50% L.T. on the front doors adjacent to the driver. BUT, again this section does not apply to MPV's which have OTHER THAN FACTORY TINT on the windows to the rear of the driver. So, then a-5 or a-7 would apply to an SUV that has after market tint on the rear windows?? The Governor's version of a-9 appears to say the same thing with different wording! I don't know. It just seems this whole thing could be made much more simpler to understand. I have a headache now. Time for bed.
How long does the process take after the Gov makes his changes?
Also make it a law that people have to use a headset(cellphone) while driving, this keeps their hands free, there perriferal vision open, and is no different than talking to a passenger sitting right next to you!
If the police have a problem with the tinting while pulling someone over ( as far as their own safety) then get on the P A and tell them to put all their windows down!
I do agree that it will be harder to see if someone is on their cellphone texting (if illegal)but lets be realistic; cant our officers time be used more productively and be steered more toward preventing acts of violence against our fellow man(molestations,rape,breaking and entering, etc.etc.)
What does this mean? 10/5/2009 House Motion Filed Override Amendatory Veto Rep. Suzanne Bassi
I don't know. But I'll get some answers on this next week. I plan to call down to Springfield to get the status of this bill. I'll let everybody know what I find out.
Sooo, I'm guessing that the law has passed and we are allowed to tint our windows??? Is this true?
I spoke to a staff member at Representative Bossi's office regarding the status of this bill. She was most helpful in explaining this process to me.
As you know, Governor Quinn vetoed the bill. His office took issue with the language regarding multi-passenger vehicles. Apparently, the manufacturer's tint on most passenger busses and SUVs violates this bill. So purchasers of new vehicles would automatically be in violation of the law. Governor Quinn proposed language which he thought would correct the problem.
Rep. Bossi did not agree with the Governor's proposed language, so she filed a Motion to Override the Governor's veto. This motion will be heard at one of the next two upcoming veto sessions, either October 14, 15, 16 or October 28, 29, 30.
To override the Governor's veto, they need at least a 3/5 vote of the House and Senate, or a supermajority. If they override the veto, the bill automatically becomes law without any further action. Rep. Bossi's office will then propose an amendment at the next session correcting the multi-passenger vehicle issue.
If they do not receive the supermajority, they either have to accept the Governor's proposed language, or re-write their own. Rep. Bossi's office indicated that if that happens, they will probably wait until the next session to introduce a revised version of this bill.
So, you will have some answers before the end of the month. Check back for updates.
Excellent work, thanks for the update Mike!!!
Some science... I don't think that UV rays are passed through glass in sufficient quantities to cause skin cancer. Also, very few drivers are exposed to sun in their cars in a long enough duration for there to be a concern.
I read that it passed the house but when will it pass the senate?
So, that's it??? It passed already, right? I can drive now without being afraid to get ticket?
The law has not yet passed. We hope to have more information by the end of the month.
I was just pulled over Thursday also after owning a truck with tinted windows the past 4 years. I don't simply have window film, it is an etch type chemical application, custom applied. I'm waiting until the end of October to see if the law will pass. Anybody have any new info on the law?
I was pulled over last week and told I can get 30 days in jail for multiple tint violations. Is this true? I have received 2 warning and now my second ticket.
In response to the last commenter, the penalties for obstructed windows will not change even if this law changes next week.
Violations are, and will continue to be, petty offenses where the possible penalty is a fine ranging from $50-$500.
After your first conviction, however, subsequent violations are Class C misdemeanors where the maximum penalty can be up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to$500.
The maximum fine for most Class C misdemeanors is actually $1500, but this section is capped at $500.
Also, any person convicted under this section SHALL be ordered to remove the tint.
It may be possible to avoid a conviction on this ticket. Please contact me directly if you have any further questions.
On 10/15 the motion to override the amendatory veto prevailed with 107 yeas and 8 nays.
It passed the house. I believe it still has to pass the senate.
I know almost nothing about law, so here's are my two question:
1. Quinn proposed change seems to make perfect sense, and it doesn't affect the main goal of the bill. So why is the House trying to override it? Wouldn't that make a mess for car dealers? I honestly don't care which way it goes, as long as the new law allows 50% in front.
2. Illinois' current law seems to be 0% in front, and anything in back. So when the law gets passed it will just change it to 50% in front and not change the anything in back? Look at this page for more info. http://www.tintlaws.com/laws/IL/
HB3325 this bill goes to a vote 10-28-09 contact your senator via email for his support
Can anyone answer this? If the bill passes today and tints are legal in the state of IL, do individual municipalities have to abide by the law? I believe there are several statutes in the city of Chicago that differ from the atae law.Am I still gonna get the $250 tickets from the city? Are officers advised of the change right away? Or do I have to contest the ticket pointing out the new law?
Did it pass???
Just spoke with some on in Representative Bassi's office and the bill is being voted on today or tomorrow.
Looks like the City of Chicago is getting their licks in while they can. I had a window tint ticket on my car this morning and as I drove off I noticed dozens of cars with tickets on them. Come on Chicago.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3325&GAID=10&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=46080&SessionID=76&GA=96
it says that the amendatory veto was overridden in both houses. does this mean that it is now a law and effective immediately or does it start on january 1st, 2010?
effective immediately
I'm probably a bit slower than most, but without the 'fanfare' saying "Hooray! This has passed and is now a law!" I feel like I'm still unsure of the status. I see a post that says, it passed both houses and the veto was overridden and another that says effective immediately, so can we take that as the way of saying, you can now have 50% window tint on the front windows in IL?
So, there is one thing that I am still lost on... Where do trucks fit into all this? I have an F150 with factory privacy glass behind the driver, can I tint my front sides or not? Does a pickup fit the description of an MPV as defined here? It is constructed on a truck frame since it is a truck, and it is designed for off-road use as it is 4x4...
Sec. 1‑148.3b. Multipurpose passenger vehicle. A motor vehicle with motive power, except a trailer, designed to carry 10 persons or less that is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off‑road operation.
I would be very comfortable defending a ticket based upon that definition.
But keep in mind that the police can still pull you over if they think you have excessive tint. Those types of stops can lead to other charges.
So are we now allowed to have window tint in IL? Michael what is the best way to reach you on my tint ticket court date 11-12-09.
Call me Monday afternoon at 630-897-8764.
Will do. Did the tint law pass?
Yes. It is effective immediately.
I am not clear on how this will effect 'trucks' in IL. What I am refering to is the true truck plated, over 8,000lb vehicles in IL. These vehicles have to go through inspections, currently have the lower speed limit, etc.
My pickup truck is plated with 12,000lb D plates.
I just spoke to a reader of the blog who was ticketed for illegal tint on October 30, 2009 -- the same day this bill became law.
The ticket is from downstate Illinois, so I will not be handling the case, but it will be interesting to see how the court handles this situation.
To the ticketed motorist: Please comment back with a quick update after your case is resolved.
Thanks.
My car was ticketed on November 9, 2009 while parked on the street in the city of Chicago. The violation (0976220b) was for "smoked/tinted windows park/stand" and the fine was $250. Is this a valid ticket after the change in state law? Do Chicago city ordinances still apply dispite a change in state law? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Matthew,
What percentage are your tints? If I am not mistaken the law allows for window tints that are 50%. The percentage corresponds to the amount of light that is allowed to enter the window.
If the tint is noticeably darker then what the law allows, I don't see why the assessment of the ticket would not be upheld.
Although I don't think it is possible to exactly identify what percentage tint a window is simply by looking at, I do believe it is very evident when tint is darker then 50%. This is because tint that is 50% still allows a person from the outside to see the interior cabin of a vehicle and even out the opposite window.
Waseem,
I am not sure about the exact percentage of my tints but the front and back windows (it is a four-door car) on both sides are very lightly tinted. You can easily see into the the cabin and out the window on the other side. The large, back window is a little darker but you can still see through it inside the car and out the front windshield. If I contest this by mail should I reference the new law? If so, what is it? Thanks again
I have the same question as Matthew B. I hope they educate us more about this as ignorance from the law does not absolve you of any rule-breaking.
From what I understood, You are allowed to have 35% all around. So with the 50% on the front windows, you should be fine.
Tony,
I just read through it again, it states a "...person may drive a motor vehicle with a nonreflective material tinted film that does not allow less than 50% light transmittance upon the side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver." *(Note a 5% variance is allowed)
I am still confused. If my tints are 50% or less, why do I keep getting tickets in the city of Chicago for $250. Can someone help please??
This goes back to the question I posed earlier in this thread. Can individual municipalities have their own statutes that over ride the state?
I got my windows tinted last week. I followed the letter of the law. Yesterday I received a $250 from Chicago.
I removed the film on the front windows pending the outcome of my ticket. Im going to fight it. I dont know if it was just an uninformed cop or if it is still illegal in the city?
tickets are not valid...if recieving a ticket a letter should do; a copy of the ticket with a copy of the statute to; 1)Police Superintendent 2) Mayors office, and to you police CAPS officer-should get some reponse.
Or go to your police district office, again the copies, speakw/ a watch commander, and that should filter to your beat officer who ....more than likely it's a training issue for police
There is another site I have been following as well on this and below is a code they keep referring to about Home Rule for the city of Chicago. I'm not a lawyer so please read to get a better understanding.
65 ILCS 5/1‑2.1‑2) Sec. 1‑2.1‑2. This section is included in the Illinois Municipal Code, and is pursuant to localities that utilize "Home Rule.
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