Political Signs: Des Plaines vs Evanston
How do political signs rules compare between Des Plaines, IL and Evanston, IL?
Des Plaines and Evanston have similar restriction levels.
Des Plaines, IL
Cook County
Political signs on private residential property in Des Plaines are constitutionally protected free speech and largely permitted without permits, subject only to content-neutral size, placement, and safety restrictions. Signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way or block sight lines for traffic.
View full Des Plaines rules →Evanston, IL
Cook County
Political signs on private property in Cook County are protected by the First Amendment and Illinois law. Cook County's sign regulations cannot unreasonably restrict political expression. Standard sign size and placement rules may still apply.
View full Evanston rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Des Plaines | Evanston |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | Not required (residential) | - |
| Size Limit | ~6-8 sq ft typical | - |
| Right-of-Way | Prohibited | May be removed |
| Sight Triangle | Must be clear | - |
| Time Limit | Generally none | - |
| Private Property | - | Protected speech |
| Permits | - | Cannot require for political signs |
| Standard | - | Content-neutral rules apply |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Des Plaines FAQ
Can I put a political sign in my yard in Des Plaines?
Yes. Political signs on private residential property are permitted without a permit, subject to size and placement restrictions. Signs in the public right-of-way are not allowed.
When do I have to take political signs down?
Des Plaines's sign code, like most post-Reed v. Gilbert codes, does not impose strict election-keyed deadlines for political signs on private property. Reasonable maintenance is expected.
Can the City remove signs from the parkway?
Yes. Signs placed in the public right-of-way (parkways, medians, utility poles) may be removed by Public Works without notice regardless of message content.
Evanston FAQ
Can I put political signs in my yard in Cook County?
Yes. Political signs on private property are protected by the First Amendment. The county cannot unreasonably restrict or require permits for political signs.
When must political signs come down?
While there is no strict deadline, signs should be removed within a reasonable time after elections. General sign regulations regarding maintenance still apply.
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