Cook County, IL Public Conduct: Jaywalking (2026)
Key Facts
- State statute
- 625 ILCS 5/11-1003
- Crosswalk right-of-way
- 625 ILCS 5/11-1002
- Typical fine
- $50 to $200
- California-style legalization
- Not adopted in Illinois
- Vision Zero
- Chicago and Evanston active
Summary
Illinois retains jaywalking enforcement under Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-1003, requiring pedestrians to yield outside marked crosswalks and to use crosswalks where signals exist. Cook County, suburban municipalities, and Chicago all enforce. Unlike California, Illinois has not legalized safe mid-block crossing, though enforcement is uneven and concentrated in high-crash corridors.
Sec. 11-1003. Crossing at other than crosswalks. (a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. (b) Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. (c) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk. (d) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices; and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements. (e) Pedestrians with disabilities may cross a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk where the intersection is physically inaccessible to them but they shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-1003 requires pedestrians to yield the right-of-way to vehicles when crossing outside a marked crosswalk and to obey traffic signals at intersections with signal heads. Section 11-1002 grants pedestrians the right-of-way in marked crosswalks. The Cook County Sheriff enforces on county roads in unincorporated areas; suburban police and Illinois State Police enforce within their jurisdictions. Unlike California's 2023 Freedom to Walk Act, Illinois has not legalized mid-block crossing where safe. Chicago, Evanston, and other Cook municipalities operate Vision Zero programs that direct enforcement toward driver violations, while still issuing pedestrian citations in high-crash corridors.
Violations & Fines
Jaywalking citations under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003 are petty offenses with fines typically $50 to $200. Fines escalate when crossing on a controlled-access highway or against a signal. No jail attaches, but the violation may appear on a driver record.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cook County
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