Skokie, IL Noise Ordinances: Vehicle Noise (2026)

Section 42-79 of the Village Code, cross-referenced to Chapter 106 traffic regulations, sets three vehicle noise standards. Subsection (a) requires every motor vehicle on a public right-of-way to be equipped at all times with an adequate muffler or other dissipative device, kept in constant operation and properly maintained, free of defects affecting sound reduction, and not modified to amplify or increase noise above what the originally installed muffler produced. Subsection (b) bars operating a vehicle so as to cause tire squealing or screeching from rapid acceleration or excessive speed around corners, though noise from emergency maneuvers to avoid imminent danger is exempted.

Subsection (c) separately prohibits operating any automobile, motorcycle, or other vehicle so out of repair, so loaded, or operated in a manner that creates loud and unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling, or other noise. The section carries a State Law reference to the Illinois Vehicle Code's adequate-muffler requirement at 625 ILCS 5/12-602, showing the local rule tracks state law on exhaust equipment while adding the Village's own tire-noise and vehicle-condition standards. These vehicle rules sit within the same Chapter 42, Article III noise article as the Village's general prohibition on excessive or unusual noise in Sec. 42-77.