Every state (and many a city and town) has a few rather unusual laws on the books that while rarely enforced, remain in effect to this day. Illinois is certainly no exception to that.

Bloomington-Normal's newspaper, The Pantagraph, has some great examples of both weird statewide laws, and some goofy ones that are still on the books in some Illinois cities and towns. Some you may have heard of, others will probably come as an amusing surprise.

In Normal, it's illegal to urinate on a street sign. Plus, wouldn't you have to be about 8 feet tall?

In Decatur, it's illegal to drive a car without a steering wheel. I'm no mechanic, but isn't it impossible, too?

In Mount Pulaski, boys can throw snowballs, but it's illegal for girls to do it.

In Lincoln, you're looking at a ticket for parking more than 12 inches from the curb. 

People under the age of 21 can drink legally in Illinois--if they're enrolled in a culinary program. Sneaking stuff out of your parents liquor cabinet while watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives doesn't count.

In Illinois, it's illegal to hang "obstructions" from the rear-view mirror. We're talking things like air fresheners, fuzzy dice, GPS units, dream-catchers, etc. At one time in my life, the fuzzy dice were the most expensive thing about the car.

In Galesburg, no one may keep "a smelly dog." 

Also in Galesburg, there's a $1000 fine for beating rats with a baseball bat. I think they misspelled the word "reward." It looks like "fine."

Calling Joliet "Jolly-Ette" in Joliet instead of the proper pronunciation "Joe-Lee-Ette" can get you charged with a misdemeanor and hit with a $5 fine.

In Kirkland, bees are forbidden to fly over the village or through any of the streets.

In Chicago, it's totally illegal to fish whilst sitting on a giraffe's neck. Don't laugh, I heard that's how they nailed Capone.

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