These Strange Illinois Halloween Laws Could Cost You Big Time

Before you head out trick-or-treating this Halloween, pay close attention to the rules, or it may cost you... big time.

Six children in costumes trick or treating at woman's house

Halloween Chaos

As an Illinois mom, I know Halloween can be a little chaotic.

Right now my daughters are obsessed with finding the perfect costume and deciding who to go trick-or-treating with.

My husband and I are trying to come up with a fun display for Halloween night. Since Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, we want to go big!

READ MORE: IL's Favorite Halloween Candies

There is also the daunting task of figuring out how much candy to buy and how to keep my kids from eating it all before Halloween”

Obviously, I have a lot of things to figure out before October 31, but the one thing I don't have to worry about?  My kids saying, "I'm too old to trick-or-treating this year", and I LOVE that!

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The Great Illinois Trick-or-Treating Debate

When it comes to trick-or-treating in Illinois, there are two major things residents like to debate about:

1. When should trick-or-treating happen?
2. How old is too old to go trick-or-treating?

Personally, I'm a fan of trick-or-treating happening on Halloween...not the weekend before, or the weekend after, but that is one problem we don't have to worry about this year.

Then there's the issue of age. I think as long as kids are dressed in costume, having fun, and being respectful, there is no age limit for trick-or-treating. If a teenager wants to dress up and enjoy Halloween instead of sitting at home on their phone or getting into trouble, I'm all for it.

Unfortunately, some Illinois communities don't agree with that way of thinking.

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Weird Illinois Trick-or-Treat Laws

According to Illinois Policy, a few local governments throughout the state have adopted some surprisingly strict Halloween ordinances. I'm now considering these places no-fly zones for Halloween fun.

1. Belleville, Illinois - Only kids in eighth grade or younger can go trick-or-treating. So if a high schooler wanted to dress up and take younger kids trick-or-treating? If they collect candy too, they are breaking the rules. (Lame!)

FYI, Belleville also has an ordinance that says people over the age of 12 can't wear masks in public on days other than Halloween, unless they receive permission from the mayor or police chief. (Super lame!)

2. Forsyth, Illinois - If kids in Forsyth ring the doorbell at a home that has their porch lights off, they (or their parents) could receive a $750 fine! (The lamest!)

I make sure my kids don't go to homes with their porch lights off on Halloween night, but what if you start trick-or-treating early when it's still light out and you don't notice the porch lights? Do you still get slapped with a fine?

Group of kids with Halloween costumes walking to trick or treating

Check Your Local Halloween Rules

Every Illinois city, village and town has its own set of trick-or-treat ordinances, so before you head out, make sure you know what your local rules are.

Check your city or village's website before heading out, and if you're traveling to other communities to go trick-or-treating, make sure you know those rules too.

Make sure kids can see and be seen, stay with your group, and respect homes that aren't participating.

Most importantly, let the kids enjoy being kids, no matter how old they are!

Kids today grow up way too fast, so if a teenager wants to wear a ridiculous costume and collect candy, let them!

Now, if someone could pass an ordinance preventing my kids from eating all their Halloween candy before breakfast the next morning, that might be a law I'd actually support.