Sec. 9-121. It is unlawful for any person to deposit in a public highway or rest area weeds, trash, garbage or other offensive matter or any broken bottles, glass, boards containing projecting nails or any other thing likely to cause punctures in the tires of motor vehicles; and any person so offending shall be guilty of a petty offense. However, this Section shall not apply to proper deposits of harmless materials made in good faith and in a proper manner to repair the roads or to the proper disposal of travel and picnic trash in the waste containers provided for such purpose at rest areas.
Illinois Compiled Statute
605 ILCS 5/9-121
Offense Description
Littering on highways
Offense Classification
Petty Offense
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
Under Illinois law, 605 ILCS 5/9-121 (Littering on highways) is classified as a Petty Offense. Statutory sentencing scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000. Court appearance is not mandatory (pre-set bond or notice to appear), and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.
Offense Class & Sentencing ScopePetty Offense
No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000
Court Appearance MandateRelease on Notice (No Mandate)
Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State License SanctionStandard Administrative Protocol
No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
Sec. 9-121. It is unlawful for any person to deposit in a public highway or rest area weeds, trash, garbage or other offensive matter or any broken bottles, glass, boards containing projecting nails or any other thing likely to cause punctures in the tires of motor vehicles; and any person so offending shall be guilty of a petty offense. However, this Section shall not apply to proper deposits of harmless materials made in good faith and in a proper manner to repair the roads or to the proper disposal of travel and picnic trash in the waste containers provided for such purpose at rest areas.
(Source: P.A. 81-551.)
Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis
Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 605 ILCS 5/9-121 in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, 605 ILCS 5/9-121 (Littering on highways) is classified as a Petty Offense.
Sentencing Scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000
Is a court appearance mandatory for 605 ILCS 5/9-121 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?
No Mandatory Court Appearance (Pre-Set Bond / Notice to Appear): Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
Is an individual accused of 605 ILCS 5/9-121 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?
Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 605 ILCS 5/9-121?
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
Official Legal Citation Formats
Legal & Academic Reference
Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.
Illinois Supreme Court Citation605 ILCS 5/9-121 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.)605 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/9-121 (2026)
Canonical Web Referencehttps://ilcsindex.com/statutes/605-ilcs-5-9-121