Moving to Illinois with Tinted Windows

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.

What about cars bought in IL that came FROM THE FACTORY with tint. Who is responsible now? This is completely unfair and honestly just stupid. I respect and love the cops of our twon but come on....

From M/Sgt. Ness:

The Car Manufacturers do not put tinted windows in that would conflict with state and US Department of Transportation laws. The tint would have to have been added later. It is possible the dealership added it in one of the states that allows tint. If you purchase a car that has tint that would be illegal in your state, you should ask the seller to remove it prior to the sale.

What about other forms of obstructions to visibility? A coworker of mine says he got a ticket for having an air freshener (one of those pine tree things you get at the gas station). The excert by Randy Nesson mentions anything upon the window, but not things hanging near the window. My coworker's was hanging from his rear view mirror. I'm from Massachusetts originally and that's where I went to driving school. Our code clearly states that nothing can obstruct more than 35% of visibility. The Illinois code is rather vague in this regard. Am I looking at the wrong code? I asked the police by my house and they agreed that NOTHING can be hanging from the rear view mirror, but they didn't tell me what code they were refering to. Personally, I like the air freshener you put on the AC vents. But isn't it silly to fine someone for hanging a pine tree air freshener from his rear view mirror?

I'm a cop in the Chicago area, and this is a topic of importance to me. I have zero tolerance for tinted windows. Unless you are a cop and have actually approached a vehicle at night on a traffic stop, you have no idea of what goes on in our eyes. I am praying every time I approach a darked-out car on a stop, hoping that an occupant does not have a sawed-off shotgun pointed at me. Think about it. COPS GET SHOT AND KILLED ON TRAFFIC STOPS. I don't really care if it's inconvenient or annoying to the public. Seriously, let's be honest. I don't know anyone that has a medical condition that necessitates the use of tinted windows. A good pair of sunglasses does wonders. Oh, and as far as the sun rays damaging your leather interior, give me a break.

I just moved to Chicago from South Carolina and have 27% tint on all but the front windshield. I can't tell you how nice it is to have the tint. Melanoma has been in my family and reducing the UV rays is a major concern for me, tint also helps reduce heat. Privacy is another reason. To address Bruce, I completely understand and respect your stance, which is why if I ever got pulled over the first thing I do is turn on all of the interior lights and roll down all of my windows to help make your job easier. That should be a courtesy that anyone with tint does so that cops can rest a little easier when approaching a vehicle. With that said, does my family history and my desire to help protect myself from the suns rays warrant me a medial exemption? Does the fact that my eyes are very sensitive help the case? What exactly do I have to prove or provide from a doctor in order to obtain a medial exemption?

I was planning on registering my car tomorrow in IL...but I think I will wait as long as I can now that I've learn that IL is one of 5 states that does not allow tint on the front side windows....

First off, just let me express my extreme displeasure over this law. Until I bough my most recent car, I had been involved in 2 accidents where glare and sunlight was a major factor. Now that I have a car with tinted windows, I have been saved from at least one accident which would have been a direct impact with my driver side door. I have extremely sensitive eyes to sunlight so the tint helps me tremendously. And I also find that sunglasses obstruct my peripheral vision. The tint is also a deterrent to people wanting to break into my car. I have a nice car and my neighborhood has a problem with car break-ins. My last two cars that I owned have been broken into, and to this point (4 years) my new car with the tinted windows has NOT!

I understand the concern of Bruce from above, but even at night when it is dark out, you can tell me that you could see someone holding something harmful on his lap even with a window down? Or if he is holding something off to the side? When I talk with my friends at night, I can’t see inside their cars when they stop by my house to chat unless my street light is on. My suggestion in the event you have a bad feeling, or to be safe every time during a night stop, use your PA system to ask the driver to roll down all windows that he can. This would give you a clear view into the car. It would also help from say any passenger sitting in the back seat from holding anything harmful in his hands or against a window. Since after all, back windows can be tinted in every state that I am aware of. 99.9% of people will comply with any request of a police officer, so it would be that .1% that you want to look for. Not the every day citizen that has tint on his windows.

If anyone wishes to begin a movement against this, please let me know. I will support it. Oh and by the way, you CAN buy a car with factory tint. My dad’s girlfriend bought one directly off the truck with dipped windows!

I just would like to comment saying I have an expensive sports car...this being said I also live in a small town and feel as if i am getting harrassed whereever i go...I was sitting at a red light and a cop turned past me and came back around and ticketed me for having tinted windows (35%)...why was I ticketed when there was a pickup truck in front of me and one behind me that also had tinted windows appearing to be of the same degree??? I believe if this law is going to be enforced it should be enforced accordingly...

P.S. I have gotten mutiple tinted window tickets and even though the law states further action will be taken after 3 violations...nothing happens...

In Illinois one can have tinted windows if you have a medical condition, my sister has Lupus and if sun hits her skin she gets sick for days, we have special plates that indicate we can have all around tint, look it up on the DMV website

FROM M/SGT NESS:
Thanks Roland, you are correct. In fact the Illinois Secretary of State now issues these persons a license plate that has a "WT" on it to let police officers know that the person has the required yearly Doctor's exemption. Thanks for your comment.
Randy

Also as a female, I feel much safer with tinted windows. I don't like to be gawked at or side stalked by men, homeless or the like. Women are prime targets. What about our safety from the outside?

A question regarding medical necessity: if an individual qualifies and has appropriate tinting done for their medical condition, are they the only individual who can then operate the vehicle? For example, if my wife required this done for medical reasons, would it be unlawful for me to use her car? I have been told this in the past. Just curious... We have a home in NW Indiana as well as a condo in Chicago, so I would keep everything registered with a primary residence in Indiana, but I just wouldn't want to deal with any issues with officers. I've never even gotten a parking ticket, and I rather enjoy my lack of acquaintance with police officers.

Regarding Bruce's comments: I completely sympathize with an officer's point of view. No one who has not been in your position can understand what it is like to experience that trepidation and fear for your life. However, your "zero tolerance" stance is draconian and does not seem well-suited to an upholder of the law. As a physician, I can assure you that there are legitimate medical needs for limiting sun exposure. I'm not speaking of preventative measures such as hoping to ward off melanoma (the data on this is dodgy at best), but actual diagnosed medical conditions.

Lately, I have been watching the current status of IL HB 3325 which will change the tint laws to allow up to a certain percentage of tinted film on front windows. I was alerted to the WT (Window Tint) plates last year and inquired with my optometrist as to getting tested so I can apply for them. I suffer from light sensitivity that was slightly intensified by my choice to switch to contact lenses and most of the time I have to wear sunglasses even when it is cloudy. However, my optometrist has had many illegitimate requests previously for window tinting notes (prior to provisions for the WT plates) and refuses to test me, or even look at information that I printed out concerning the laws allowing tint for medical reasons. He cited my youth as a factor to denying me the test, thinking I just want tint because it looks cool. I turned 30 in November of 2008, and do have a nice car, but the health benefits outweigh the "coolness factor" and I am responsible enough to provide courtesy in rolling down my windows if ever I was stopped.

I also drive a school bus for a living, and one of the two buses I drive every day is equipped with tint. The interior is noticeably cooler, a major plus on a vehicle that is not equipped with an air conditioning system. I transport many small children on that bus, especially one with a severe light sensitivity condition. Tint on that bus is extremely beneficial and I wish to benefit from tint on my own vehicle.

It would be nice if the DMV notified the police of the new WT plates. I have them due to Lupus and I have been stopped three times in the last month by officers that had NO CLUE what the plates meant!!! One of them was very rude and she was unapologetic for her mistake. Why do the police not know about these plates? I feel like I have to drive in fear of being pulled over when I am doing NOTHING wrong at all!

As a police officer (and car collector who likes the look of tinted windows) I've have heard just as many convincing stories why individuals should be exempt from the (fill in the blank) law they were stopped for. Previous tint law exemptions were abused and your elected officials took corrective action. I do have a theory for people who have medical disorders related to the sun. ALL of the "WT" plates I have seen are on sports/luxury cars. I think driving a sport/luxury car CAUSES these conditions. Since it would be stupid for people with these conditions to drive their Mercurys, Buicks and Tauruses (which you never see with WT plates) WITHOUT tinted windows, it is a logical conclusion to associate the car with the cause! The law was created when a Hillside officer was shot after stopping a tinted window vehicle. Judy Bar Topinka was the driving force behind it.

P.S. I stopped a Camaro (suprise!) with WT plates the other day. The 19 year old said it was his car, but it registered to his grandmother. He could not explain why he should also be exempt from the front license plate law, the louder than factory exhaust law or the clearly visible tailight (also tinted) law. He was given three citations and sent on his way. I'm sure he is looking some medical condition laws to help him with those when he gets to court!

Happy Motoring Illinois!

Like many of the other posters here, I can sympathize with both sides of this debate. At the end of the day though, it IS the current law in Illinois and driving is NOT a right, it is a privilige. While many of us may not agree with the law, there are legitimate reasons that our lawmakers put it into place. (the unfortunate incident with the Hillside officer being a prime example) I agree with the decision to tighten up the exceptions to the law as such exceptions are often abused. Do I like the look of tinted windows? Yes. I do not, however, feel that my personal preference should outweigh the decision of the elected lawmakers. Driving is a privilige. I have the 'right' to move to another state should I choose. I do NOT have the 'right' to ignore laws that I disagree with. What a chaotic world we'd live in!! I certainly do NOT trust that window tinting is the least dangerous law that some individuals would ignore.

All that being said, it's the 'current' law: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/police/faq.html
It hasn't ALWAYS been the law. It may not always BE the law. Write, call, and organize a movement to advocate your position with the lawmakers. WE elect them. THEY are here to represent US. You can bet on the fact that insurance companies and other organizations are CONSTANTLY lobbying for changes in the law that represent THEIR interests. (making money) If there are a few less accidents, or more likely the insurance company can say that the driver was not in compliance with the law due to a tint on the windows, or an air freshener hanging from the mirror, which contributed to the accident, they can attempt to deny payment... (but I digress)

All comments are my own. I understand my opinions are flawed and biased and accept responsibility for them and am open to persuasion to an alternate opinion.

Why can't window tints be standardized throughout the US to avoid all of the complications? It's really not fair be forced to change your windws and go through the extra expense just because one switches states.

In my opinion, Tinted windows are an excuse for the police to harass and target certain vehicle drivers. These type of systematic laws that control a persons personal property deprives on a citizens freedom, which is way I hate these type of laws. This is no different then the BUSH laws, excuses to deprive freedoms.

Bruce no disrespect for you and your job, but your personal tolerance levels should not be a part of being a cop. This is what makes people dislike law enforcement due to the the amount of personal persepectives, racial biases and attitudes that they bring to the job as people. When you get a job like that, its about taking risks, thats something a person has to live with. But, you have to remain professional, which is hard to do for some.

However, as a citizen you should be concerned about some a****** thats trying to spot some female with a purse, bag or jewerly on on her neck to break the windows, snatch and run. You also have people targeting The thing about this is that police only are able to handle most situations after they occur, too late for any suspecting victim. People have a number of reasons for wanting tint and it should be there choice as long as there are some limitations on endangerment.

My girlfriend just got pulled over for factory tent on the rear window of a 2000 ford explorer in Champaign Ill and was told that in the state of Illinois that tent was to dark. When I looked up the law on line, there were no restrictions on tent for the rear windows. I told my girlfriend that she got pulled over because she had Ohio tags and he just wanted to search the car for drugs. The tinted windows was clearly an excuse because she didn't get a ticket, a warning or anything. She was just held up for 5 hours while me and our son waited for her to come back with groceries for dinner. By the time she arrived home at midnight of course our 2 year old son was sleep. How can officers expect citizens to abide by the tent law when they don't even enforce it right. Even if we did have tent on our front windows as long as its within Ohio's regulations we can't be ticketed in Illinois because its registered in Ohio and thats according to Illinois State Law. If officers want to racially profile or search every car from out of state then they should just say that from the jump. It will make everyones life that much easier and this tent law will be less confusing.

Mr Confused,
5 hours for a traffic stop with not arrest or citation? I find that hard to believe. I think your girlfriend was doing a little more than shopping for "groceries." I also don't understand how racial profiling happened when your vehicle had Ohio plates and tinted windows. If you don't want to be stopped, why don't you register the vehicle in Illinois(since you live in Champaign) and remove the tint. Problem solved.

Denise,
If laws were standardized in the U.S., we would have concealed firearms carry in Illinois. Each State has their own laws and rules. We don't have yearly vehicle inspections in Illinois like other States. Do you want that?

For anyone else who claims medical problems,
I had Lasik surgery and have family history of skin cancer. To that I say wear a hat, sunglasses and long sleeves. People who want a special plate, sometimes abuse the law (by letting others use their vehicle) like handi-capped placards.

For female safety,
Try being more aware of your surroundings. Don't make yourself a target. If you are so vain to think you are being stalked, put into a gas station and call the police. Don't leave your purse on the seat. And most of all, stay off of your cell phone.

well let me tell you something about those tints .We should fight for it .Not all of people with dark windows are killers or suspects .We do work hard (witch help us on the way home from work in sunny hot day ....hate AC )we do pay tax for all and we wanna its brake for god. .Before I didn't had a tints someone steel my radio twice brake window witch cost me a lot of money for my car.Seance I have 35% in fronts no one even look at my car for 2 years . Personally hate people sticking their nose in my business. And cheating medical license well I don't like it .Wouldn't be bather if police to check the plates who is register to it or what he done ? O well lets just hope they get normal as Florida or any other state with good law for tint. As I sad not all of us are convicted felony :D
Have a nice Day .

Officers,

While I sympathize with the Hillside incident that led to this law, are we to believe that there have not been any officers shot by drivers with non-tinted windows? And since the rear windows are allowed to be tinted at any level of darkness, I suppose there is no risk to walking up to a vehicle where as the rear passenger could have a gun and shoot the approaching officer? Of course there is, but the lobbyist for a certain group wouldn't dare allow rear tint to be outlawed now would they.

Since Illinois is one of only 4 states that do not allow tint on the driver and passenger side windows the other 46 states must have the highest police fatality in the country due to window tint. A regular Wild Wild West (and North, South, East) out there.

But of course, officers are allowed tint on the driver and passenger side windows of their personal vehicles.

Please don't use the excuse of your safety or your family safety as a reason for tinting your personal vehicles like the Chicago officers like to give. I suppose when they go to the gas station, or restaurant, or anywhere else they have the exit their tinted vehicle they whear a veil to cover their face.

Give me a break...

@Bill Golden

The shooting incident wouldn't have changed since the rear windows are still allowed to be fully tinted. From what I've read, the shot came from the back seat.

Also, giving tickets that will be contested is a waste of the system's time. You should know that a car that is registered to a person gets the privs regardless of who is driving it.

Vindictive police officers really give the rest a bad name.

@Pete

Pretty crass and ignorant comments to the other commenters. Laws are laws and if you don't like them, write to your reps. Don't go and preach to others. IL allows exceptions for medical conditions. Simple as that. People in IL spoke up to change the law to allow front tint because the more calm-minded of us believe that we should bring ourselves up-to-speed with the rest of the country (I believe only 5 states currently outlaw front-tint). The law is apparently about to change. Simple as that.

It's ironic, the medical exceptions could easily benefit you, but you choose not only to not take advantage of them, you act like they shouldn't exist.

--

There are so many owner-based reasons to allow for full window tinting, as were described on this thread and so many others: safety of the driver, safety of car interior & possessions, environmental benefits due to less heat/A&C use, aesthetic.

I'm glad the level-headed people of IL finally got their say.

I just recd. a window tint ticket, $250 for a car I have driven and used in IL for 7 years. I have not modified the car in any way from the factory, since I purchased it. The side glasses on my car are just slightly darker then the windscreen. (I notice that when my window is up in bright daylight, my arm does not get cooked by the sun.) The ticket was for the car parked on the street at 10pm. The ticket was barely legible, not completely filled out. How did they measure the windows for tint, how can they determine if it was or was not factory at 10pm? On my block there are several SUV's and trucks with BLACK OUT tint that I see every day parked in the same place. Did I neglect to pay off someone? I drive a perfectly maintained late model import. Is that why I was singled out? I for one am tired of the hidden taxes in Chicago. I can comply with the law, I should have a notice to remove the tint or prove it's factory at worst. Meanwhile while patrol officers are worrying about window tint on a car, a few blocks away people are getting their faces slashed with broken bottles, nearly beaten to death, or shot in the face dead... all of which is going on at this time of night in my neighborhood when I was ticketed. Why are resources being spent on such petty issues while major crimes are being committed? Do patrol officers have some quota of parking tickets to give? My neighborhood is teaming with police cars giving parking tickets at night while people are victimized, whats the deal???? I have literally seen 3 patrol cars in an area of two blocks doing nothing but giving parking tickets. This ticket just proves how resources are being sorely mis-directed in the City of Chicago! Don't gripe about a ticket, just feel fortunate you weren't victimized while the patrol men in your area were writing a parking ticket! Get out and vote for change in the City!

Wanted to let everyone here know that the IL law has changed evvective 11-4-09 and tints are now allowed adjacent to the driver and passenger with some stipulations. Basically 35% is allowed up front unless the rears are "darker" than 35% in which case, only 50% is allowed in the front. All the details here:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GAID=10&GA=96&DocNum=3325&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=76&LegID=46080&SpecSess=&Session

On passenger cars you can have 35% front and rears (rears have to be no darker then 35%), or no darker then 30% on the rears to have 50% on the front windows. If you have darker then 30% on the rears, you are not allowed anything on the front windows.

FROM M/SGT. NESS:

Please see the newer post on this subject, which contains the entire contents of the new law.

Well I have a suv and under the new law I can only have 50% tint on the front windows. Any car with factory tint on the back windows can only have 50% tint on the front windows which is basically no tint at all. 50% tint looks like a regular window, Your interior will still get sun warped, really hot and wont provide much sun protection. I mean does anyone wear sunglasses with 50% tint,, the answer is no, so dont tell me that 50% provides sun protection.

Thank God Illinois came to its senses! I had been getting tickets for tinted windows since I was 19, I'm now 39. I was never convicted or paid a fine because every judge I went in front of threw the case out after I told them I had the tint removed. On every vehicle I bought, I would take a picture of it before I tinted the windows and when I got tickets and went to court, I'd show the judge that picture and go on about my business. Yes I skirted the law, call me what you want, but the law was b.s. to begin with.
There were a lot of great posts on this site. Officers whenever I get pulled over, especially at night, I roll down both side windows, I turn the interior light on, and my hands are out the window with my license in one hand and my insurance card in the other. If I have passengers they are instructed to put both hands on the dashboard if in the passenger seat, or both hands on the headrest if they are in the rear. I am a Black man and as such, you do this because of America's history of police and Black men. By doing this I've never had a problem with cops because I deescalate the situation. The officer's job is stressful and there is no such thing as a routine traffic stop. ONce they can see hands, they feel a lot more comfortable because for the most part the threat against them is gone. Now we can have a conversation. It's by understanding where the officer's concerns are and cooperating by not calling them racist pigs and the such that I've never gotten into a dicey situation. There were a number of the times where the officer would let me off with a warning for whatever I did wrong, simply by the way I conducted myself. Remember cops are used to people being verbally abusive towards them acting a fool, so if you approach them differently, it means a lot to them. And while some cops are gonna be tools no matter what, that's on them, not me. I can't control them being unhappy with themselves. They are only in my life for a few minutes tops then I'm done with them.
But the law needed to be changed, and I'm glad they did. Now I have my privacy without the threats of getting tickets. However it should be noted that many of the meter maids in Chicago and Dept. of Revenue employees don't understand the new law and will give you a ticket for tinted windows on your parked vehicle. You have to challenge it to win, which takes time. Chicago is so desperate for cash they will ticket you and hope you won't challenge. Sorry Daley, I'm a lil to educated for you to dupe me.
Everyone enjoy the privilage of driving your car and officers, thanks for all you do and continue to be safe. Mst. Sgt. I really hope the state doesn't cutback on troopers, especially in Chicago. We need you all on our highways cuz CPD is already stretched too thin. And I feel more comfortable dealing with a professional state officer than some of the city cops even though now older and more responsible, I rarely get pulled over anyway.

But we can all have our rear as dark as we want to..... so if someone was going to shoot an officer, they could just be in the back seat regardless if my fronts are tinted. Hmmmmmmmm.......... doesn't make sense to me.