Political signs on private residential property in Oak Lawn are protected speech under the First Amendment and are not subject to pre-election time limits. Size limits, placement rules (out of the public right-of-way), and safety-related restrictions apply. Signs cannot be placed on public property or in sight triangles.
Following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015), Oak Lawn and other Illinois municipalities may not regulate political signs more strictly than other signs based on content. Residents may display political signs on private property generally without time limits before or after elections. Common content-neutral rules include: signs must be on private property with owner permission, not in the public right-of-way or parkway area between sidewalk and street; signs must not obstruct sight triangles at intersections or driveways; size limits typically in the range of 6 square feet for residential temporary signs; signs must not be illuminated in ways that create glare on neighbors; and signs may not be attached to utility poles, street signs, or trees in the public right-of-way. Campaign workers may hand out materials door-to-door under solicitation rules. Electioneering at polling places is regulated separately by state law. Oak Lawn's sign code should be consulted for current specific dimensions.
Signs in the public right-of-way may be removed without notice. Signs exceeding size limits or creating safety hazards may trigger code enforcement with orders to remove and modest fines.
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