Cicero, IL Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- First offense
- Class B misdemeanor
- Second offense
- Class A misdemeanor
- Consent
- Owner consent required to dump on private land
- Citizen reward
- Video evidence can earn a reward
- Related littering fine
- $50-$250 under §78-13
Summary
Dumping garbage, rubbish, trash or refuse on someone else's property without consent is a class B misdemeanor in Cicero, and a second offense after conviction becomes a class A misdemeanor. Section 78-14 also lets anyone who records the violation and turns it over to police collect a reward for a resulting conviction.
(a)It is unlawful for a person to dump, deposit, or place garbage, rubbish, trash or refuse upon real property not owned by that person without the consent of the owner or person in possession of the real property.(b)A person violating this section is guilty of a class B misdemeanor. A second conviction for an offense committed after the first conviction is a class A misdemeanor.(c)Any person who witnesses and videotapes or otherwise digitally records an individual violating Section 78-14(a), without participating in or facilitating the commission of that criminal activity, submits the videotape or digital recording to the police superintendent, and when the submission leads to a conviction or a plea of guilty, the individual will be eligible to receive a reward as set forth in Section 62-402, subject to the limitations and requirements set forth in that Section.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 121).
Full Breakdown
Section 78-14 of the Cicero Code makes it unlawful for anyone to dump, deposit or place garbage, rubbish, trash or refuse on real property they don't own without the consent of the owner or the person in possession of it. A first violation is a class B misdemeanor; a second conviction for an offense committed after the first is bumped up to a class A misdemeanor, meaning stiffer fines and jail exposure under Illinois misdemeanor sentencing ranges. The section also builds in a citizen-enforcement incentive: anyone who witnesses and videotapes or otherwise digitally records someone dumping in violation of Section 78-14(a), without joining in or helping the dumping happen, and turns the recording over to the police superintendent, can collect a reward under Section 62-402 if that evidence leads to a conviction or guilty plea. 00 reward for tips leading to a littering conviction. Cicero's police and building departments jointly investigate illegal-dumping complaints under these sections.
Violations & Fines
A first illegal-dumping conviction under Section 78-14 is a class B misdemeanor; a second conviction for an offense after the first is a class A misdemeanor, both carrying court fines and possible jail time under Illinois misdemeanor sentencing. Separately, dumping on a vacant lot without the building and health commissioners' written permission violates Section 78-10, and littering on a public way draws a $50.00 to $250.00 fine under Section 78-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dumping trash on someone else's property a crime in Cicero?
Can I get paid for reporting illegal dumping in Cicero?
What if someone dumps garbage on a vacant lot near me?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cicero
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Illegal Dumping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle illegal dumping.