CHAPTER 605, ILCS 51 - ROADS AND BRIDGES

605 ILCS 5/9-124

Sec. 9-124. It is unlawful for any person to camp on any public highway in this State or to make, other than in an emergency, a rest stop except at areas designated for such rest stops.

Illinois Compiled Statute
605 ILCS 5/9-124
Offense Description
Camping on public highways prohibited
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.
SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Eligibility (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)
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.
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 605 ILCS 5/9-124 (Camping on public highways prohibited) 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 Scope Petty Offense

No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000

Court Appearance Mandate Release 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.

Pretrial Fairness Act (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.

Secretary of State License Sanction Standard Administrative Protocol

No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Classification Petty Offense
Court Appearance Pre-set Bond / Release on Notice
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code None Assigned
Search in Live Workstation ➔ Official ILGA Statute (ilga.gov) ->

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Camping on public highways prohibited Official ILGA · 605 ILCS 5/9-124 -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 9-124. It is unlawful for any person to camp on any public highway in this State or to make, other than in an emergency, a rest stop except at areas designated for such rest stops.

Any resident of this State may enter complaint before the circuit court against any person or persons found violating this Section and the court shall issue a warrant for the arrest of such violators and have them brought forthwith before such court for examination. Any such violator shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 78-628.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 605 ILCS 5/9-124 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 605 ILCS 5/9-124 (Camping on public highways prohibited) is classified as a Petty Offense.

Sentencing Scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000

Is a court appearance mandatory for 605 ILCS 5/9-124 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 5/9-124 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 5/9-124?

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 Citation 605 ILCS 5/9-124 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 605 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/9-124 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/605-ilcs-5-9-124
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes
605 ILCS 5/9-112.1

Advertising on state highway

Petty Offense
605 ILCS 5/9-112.2

Signs, billboards and advertising similar to traffic control signs or devices – oscillating, rotating or flashing lights prohibited

Petty Offense
605 ILCS 5/9-117

Injuring or obstructing highways

Petty Offense
605 ILCS 5/9-121

Littering on highways

Petty Offense