Will County, IL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- First offense
- $100 petty offense fine
- Repeat offense
- Class B misdemeanor
- Cure notice
- At least 48 hours to fix
- Non-compliance
- Court order, removal, property lien
- Covers
- Highways, streets, alleys, rights-of-way
Summary
Will County makes it a public nuisance to obstruct or encroach on public highways, streets, alleys, and rights-of-way -- a category that legally reaches sidewalks, since a sidewalk is defined as part of the street. Violators face a $100 fine, escalating penalties, and county-ordered removal.
It is a public nuisance: ... (E) To obstruct or encroach upon public highways, private ways, streets, alleys, commons, landing places and ways to burying places;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance No. 24-100, passed 4-18-2024 and Res. 23-387, passed 11-16-2023; and State legislation approved through 2024 Pamphlet #2).
Full Breakdown
Under Will County Code Section 93.004(E), it is a public nuisance to obstruct or encroach on public highways, private ways, streets, alleys, commons, and landing places -- a category that legally includes sidewalks, since the county's own traffic code defines a sidewalk as the pedestrian portion of a street. A first violation is a $100 petty offense under Section 93.999(B); a repeat is a Class B misdemeanor, and each day the obstruction continues counts as a separate offense. Section 93.008 requires 48 hours' written notice before the county can get a court order removing the obstruction and place a lien on the property for the cost.
Violations & Fines
$100 fine, first offense (petty offense); repeat violation is a Class B misdemeanor; each day is a separate offense
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule actually cover sidewalks?
What happens if I don't clear an obstruction?
Does this apply inside Joliet or Bolingbrook?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Will County
Compare Will County to another location·View the Illinois sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.