Illinois Tire Chain Laws

How Illinois handles chains

Illinois has no chain law for trucks. Chains are permitted, not required (625 ILCS 5/12-401). You may run chains of reasonable proportion when snow or ice would make you skid, as long as they don't damage the highway. No DOT posts R-1, R-2, or a Chains Required order in Illinois. Damaging pavement with chains is unlawful (625 ILCS 5/11-312). Slow down on I-80 and check Getting Around Illinois.

When, where, and what counts

• When required: Chains are optional. There is no seasonal activation and no chain-control system. IDOT never posts R-1/R-2/R-3 or 'Chains Required' signs. You may run chains any time snow or ice would make a vehicle skid, as long as they don't damage the highway.
• Where: No mandate anywhere. Voluntary traction on I-80, I-88, I-39, and I-55 during winter storms. Illinois has no mountain passes and no chain-control corridors.
• Applies to: No CMV chain mandate and no weight threshold. The tire-equipment statute applies to all vehicles equally, and only when a driver chooses to run chains.
• Chains vs traction devices: Chains of reasonable proportion are allowed (625 ILCS 5/12-401) as long as they don't damage the highway surface; cable chains qualify. No device is mandated, so AutoSock is neither required nor prohibited, and no weight threshold forces real chains.
• Check the live order: Getting Around Illinois (gettingaroundillinois.com), IDOT's winter road-conditions map, for live conditions. Illinois issues no chain-control order.
• Fine: No chain-up fine, because chains aren't required. Damaging a highway with chains is unlawful under 625 ILCS 5/11-312 and penalized as a petty offense; no fixed chain-up dollar amount is set in the code.

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