Reminder: As Colder Temps Hit Illinois Don’t Forget About This Unpopular Law

Northern Illinois first chance at temperatures dipping into the low-30s this weekend, this is a good time to remind drivers about a law that may have slipped their mind.

ILLINOIS: LAND OF LINCOLN WEIRD LAWS

Illinois is filled with laws that make residents scratch their head.

• In Peoria, it is illegal to have a basketball hoop in your driveway.
• Don't make silly faces at dogs in Normal, that's illegal.
• Want to have a snowball fight in Mount Pulaski? No can do, it's illegal.
• Refrain from feeding birds within a mile of downtown Bloomington unless you want a ticket.

You can find more ridiculous Illinois laws here but one more is not hanging anything from a rearview mirror, except a handicap flag.

THE ILLINOIS LAW YOU NEED NOT FORGET

This law isn't just a winter-time thing but you are most likely to break it when it's cold outside.

We're all guilty of doing this on more than one occasion I'm sure. You wake up in the morning, it's freezing outside, and your car is intolerably cold too. What do you do?

Answer wisely because it could be the illegal response you're about to give.

If your vehicle has been sitting in the cold for a long period of time it is probable for you to get to your car, start it, blast the heat and defrost, and make a mad dash back inside where it's warm.

Guess what? It's illegal. It doesn't matter where you do it, even if you leave your vehicle running in your own driveway.

(625 ILCS 5/11-1401)(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-1401) 
    Sec. 11-1401. Unattended motor vehicles. No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition, effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any perceptible grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway. 

Your best option is to dress accordingly, start your vehicle, and be on your way. It's actually bad for your car to start it and leave it running anyway. You can read about that here.

MORE WEIRD LAWS AND UNWRITTEN RULES IN ILLINOIS