Illinois Statewide Rule
Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act Liability Protection
Key Facts
- Statute
- 745 ILCS 75
- Coverage
- Residential properties only
- Immunity
- Except willful misconduct
- Natural accumulation
- No duty to remove
Summary
The Illinois Snow and Ice Removal Act shields residential property owners from liability for natural accumulations cleared in good faith, applying uniformly statewide.
Any owner, lessor, occupant or other person in charge of any residential property, or any agent of or other person engaged by any such party, who removes or attempts to remove snow or ice from sidewalks abutting the property shall not be liable for any personal injuries allegedly caused by the snowy or icy condition of the sidewalk resulting from his or her acts or omissions unless the alleged misconduct was willful or wanton.
Full Breakdown
The Snow and Ice Removal Act (745 ILCS 75) provides residential property owners with civil immunity from injuries caused by their own snow or ice removal efforts on adjoining sidewalks, unless their acts constitute willful or wanton misconduct. The Act preserves the common-law natural accumulation rule, meaning owners generally have no duty to remove naturally fallen snow from public sidewalks. Municipalities may still impose snow-clearing ordinances on owners, but cannot eliminate the state's liability immunity. The Act applies to residential property only; commercial owners are governed by separate negligence standards.
Violations & Penalties
No state penalties; municipal fines apply where local clearing ordinances exist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I liable if someone slips on my snowy sidewalk in Illinois?
Does the Act apply to businesses?
Sources
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