Officer Ness,
My name is Ethan and I am a new resident of Illinois. Based on an event that occurred today, I have a window tint question for you.
We purchased a 2006 Toyota Camry when we lived in Missouri (interestingly enough, we purchased it from an Illinois dealer). We had the dealer use its after-market contacts to put leather and tint on this vehicle. We had tint applied to all windows of the vehicle and a small strip along the top of the windshield. This was in accordance with Missouri law.
We moved from Missouri to Illinois in October, 2006 because I got a job which required our relocation. We switched over the registrations of our vehicles from Missouri to Illinois and received new tags for those vehicles.
Earlier today, my wife got pulled over while driving the Camry and received a ticket for unlawful window tint. From what the officer cited in his ticket and what I was able to find on the Internet, I believe the following is an excerpt of the Illinois vehicle code that was violated:
"(625 ILCS 5/12‑503) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑503)
Sec. 12‑503. Windshields must be unobstructed and equipped with wipers.
(a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle with any sign, poster, window application, reflective material, nonreflective material or tinted film upon the front windshield, sidewings or side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver. A nonreflective tinted film may be used along the uppermost portion of the windshield if such material does not extend more than 6 inches down from the top of the windshield. Nothing in this Section shall create a cause of action on behalf of a buyer against a dealer or manufacturer who sells a motor vehicle with a window which is in violation of this Section."
I have read and understand (to some degree) what this code says. I also understand based on what I have read that the only "exceptions" to this code include 1)motor vehicles manufactured prior to January 1, 1982, 2)to those motor vehicles property registered in another jurisdiction, and 3)medical conditions (most of which I can't pronounce or copy accurately to this e-mail).
Based on the above, it would seem that we have no choice but to remove the tint from the front windows (driver and passenger side) that are "immediately adjacent to each side of the driver". Is this your assessment as well? Before taking a razor blade and ruining in a few minutes what it took a few hours and hundreds of our dollars to create, I wanted to check with the authorities on this.
Hopefully you can understand my frustration with this situation. I didn't violate any laws when purchasing my vehicle, nor did I know at that time that we would be transferred to Illinois. I do understand the safety concerns associated with window tinting and know that each state takes different precautions to protect its citizens. I just hate to throw money down the drain.
Any assistance, clarification, or empathy you could provide would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ethan
Ethan, you are correct, Illinois law does not allow tinted windows adjacent to the driver and passenger side windows. The only tint allowed on a windshield is that at the very top (6 inches or less). This has been the law in Illinois for many years. A few states do allow tinting, but if that vehicle is consequently registered here, it must come into compliance. Tinting is allowed on the rear and rear passenger windows as long as the vehicle is equipped with side mirrors.
I can certainly see your frustration, however if you remove the tint and provide some proof and/or tell the judge, he may dismiss the fine on the ticket your wife received.
I would just like to comment on this entry. I received a citation the other day for my two front tinted windows. I was singled out while sitting at a train crossing. Although I didn't have to pay a fine, the tint needed to be removed or, according to the warning, "A complaint will be filed with the circuit court, and a warrant will be obtained for your arrest." This is very absurd, but I had to comply. I just don't understand this law. It doesn't state why there cannot be tint on the front windows. It does get hot in Illinois, and with leather seats, it is worse. And the sun light will fade the leather; tint will help protect the vehicle's interior. Also, the sun does have [proven] damaging rays, and tint does help tremendously in blocking those rays while I am driving, keeping me safe. Tint will also block the glare the sunlight provides. I can go on-and-on.
In summary, the lawmakers need to take into consideration people who may not have a listed medical condition in accordance to the law, but can and may acquire one (skin cancer perhaps) because we are not allowed to tint the front windows. Need I say more?
Sincerely,
Chris
FROM M/Sgt. Ness:
Chris, Thanks for your comments and opinion. The tinted windows law has been in effect for many years, and revised in 2005 to remove most exemptions by January 1st, 2008. While tinted windows on the side and front windshield could provide some relief from the sun, they also obstruct the view of the driver. Cars are driven under many conditions and at night as well as in the daytime. Applied tint can't just be removed at night or during storms or other times it gets dark during daytime hours. A driver utilizing sunglasses can remove during these situations.
Secondary reasons for tint not being allowed on the front windows include identification of the driver in case of hit and run type crashes, and safety during law enforcement contacts. The reality is that most drivers who apply the tint do for asthetic reasons, not safety.
These are my observations from experience, and the lawmakers may have had other reasons for originally enacting this law. The merits of many different laws are debated in the public, by citizens and even law enforcement officials. However the fact remains that unless they are changed by our lawmakers, they are in effect and will be enforced. Thanks for writing.
Randy
Chris,
My suggestion? Take action! Start a political group to get this law changed if you feel strongly enough about it. I am sure there are plenty of car enthusiasts that would gladly stand behind you in your attempt to change laws like this one.
I happen to agree with you at least in principle and would gladly support an attempt to change this law, but I have been unable to find a group that is working towards this end.
Michael
P.S. Have you ever noticed how many expensive cars seem to have front window tinting? Is it because the owners can afford the fine or is it just that law enforcement looks at someone driving a Toyota diffrently from someone driving a BMW?
I agree with Chris and Randy. I just got a citation last night for my tinted windows also ( and my car was parked). My passenger and driver windows are only 35% tinted, and the driver is visible. I was told by an officer that as long as you're visible they are okay.
Chris, I think that your opinion on tinted windows might change if you were an officer that has to approach a car with blacked out windows at 3AM. Wouldn't you like to be able to see inside?To see if maybe someone is pointing a weapon at you?
Just my thoughts on the matter.
I believe everyone has the right to do as they please when it comes to window tint. I was cited and it is very troublesome to me that an police official cannot make a determination after accessing the situation on whether or not a citation is warrented. My tint is for glare after having laser eye surgery both during the day and night by other vehicles, and also for asthetic reasons. ( It just looks cool)If you get pulled over and you have a clean record and you were not doing anything wrong other than the window tint issue, commen sense should apply. The arguement of police safety is a valid concern, but that is why police vehicles are equiped with such thing like P.A. systems so they can determine safety factors before getting into potentially dangerous situations. Not to harrass the innocent. This is why the laws should be changed, and like Chris, I would also be interested in any fight for the cause.