CHAPTER 625 ILCS 40/, SNOWMOBILE REGISTRATION AND SAFETY ACT

625 ILCS 40/5-1

Sec. 5-1. Operation Generally. It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snowmobile in the following ways:

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 40/5-1
Offense Description
Illegal operation
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, 625 ILCS 40/5-1 (Illegal operation) 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 8520, 8521, 8522, 8524, 8525, 8526, 8527, 8528, 8529, 8530

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (10)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Illegal operation Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 40/5-1 -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8520 ILGA.gov ->
Speed too fast for conditions 625 ILCS 40/5-1(A) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 40/5-1(A) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8521 ILGA.gov ->
Careless, reckless or negligent operation 625 ILCS 40/5-1(B) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 40/5-1(B) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8522 ILGA.gov ->
No lighted headlamp or lighted tail lamp 625 ILCS 40/5-1(D) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 40/5-1(D) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8524 ILGA.gov ->
Within any nature preserve 625 ILCS 40/5-1(E) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 40/5-1(E) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8525 ILGA.gov ->
On the tracks or right-of-way of an operating railroad 625 ILCS 40/5-1(F) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 40/5-1(F) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8526 ILGA.gov ->
Tree nursery violation 625 ILCS 40/5-1(G) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 40/5-1(G) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8527 ILGA.gov ->
On private property without permission – failure to stop and identify 625 ILCS 40/5-1(H) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 40/5-1(H) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8528 ILGA.gov ->
On frozen surface of public waters within 100 feet of a person not on a snowmobile or within 100 feet of a person engaged in fishing 625 ILCS 40/5-1(K) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 40/5-1(K) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8529 ILGA.gov ->
Within 100 feet of a dwelling between midnight and 6 a.m. at a speed greater than the minimum to maintain forward movement 625 ILCS 40/5-1(L) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 40/5-1(L) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8530 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 5-1. Operation Generally. It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snowmobile in the following ways:

A. At a rate of speed too fast for conditions and the fact that the speed of the snowmobile does not exceed the applicable maximum speed limit allowed does not relieve the driver from the duty to decrease speed as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person or vehicle or object within legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.

B. In a careless, reckless, or negligent manner.

C. (Blank)

D. At any time without at least one lighted headlamp and one lighted tail lamp on the snowmobile.

E. Within any nature preserve.

F. On the tracks or right of way of an operating railroad.

G. In any tree nursery or planting in a manner which damages or destroys growing stock, or creates a substantial risk thereto.

H. On private property, without the written or verbal consent of the owner or lessee thereof. Any person operating a snowmobile upon lands of another shall stop and identify himself upon the request of the landowner or his duly authorized representative, and, if requested to do so by the landowner shall promptly remove the snowmobile from the premises.

I. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, an owner, lessee, or occupant of premises owes no duty of care to keep the premises safe for entry or use by others for snowmobiling, or to give warning of any condition, use, structure or activity on such premises. This subsection does not apply where permission to snowmobile is given for a valuable consideration other than to this State, any political subdivision or municipality thereof, or any landowner who is paid with funds from the Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund. In the case of land leased to the State or a subdivision thereof, any consideration received is not valuable consideration within the meaning of this section. Nothing in this section limits in any way liability which otherwise exists for willful or malicious failure to guard or warn against a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity.

J. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, an owner, lessee or occupant of premises who gives permission to another to snowmobile upon such premises does not thereby extend any assurance that the premises are safe for such purpose, or assume responsibility for or incur liability for any injury to person or property caused by any act or omission of persons to whom the permission to snowmobile is granted. This subsection shall not apply where permission to snowmobile is given for a valuable consideration other than to this State, any political subdivision or municipality thereof, or any landowner who is paid with funds from the Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund. In the case of land leased to the State or a subdivision thereof, any consideration received is not valuable consideration within the meaning of this section. Nothing in this section limits in any way liability which otherwise exists for willful or malicious failure to guard or warn against a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity.

K. On the frozen surface of public waters of this State within 100 feet of a person, including a skater not in or upon a snowmobile; within 100 feet of a person engaged in fishing, except at the minimum speed required to maintain forward movement of the snowmobile; on an area which has been cleared of snow for skating purposes unless the area is necessary for access to the frozen waters of this State.

L. Within 100 feet of a dwelling between midnight and 6 a.m. at a speed greater than the minimum required to maintain forward movement of the snowmobile. This provision would not apply on private property where verbal or written consent of the owner or lessee has been granted to snowmobile upon such private property or frozen waters of this State.

M. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any owner, lessee or occupant of premises or any person or association who, with the permission of the owner of the premises, places, maintains or displays a sign, signal, marking or device to give warning of any unsafe condition on the premises for snowmobiling shall not be liable for any personal injuries allegedly caused by his or her acts or omissions in providing such warning unless the alleged misconduct was willful or malicious. This subsection shall not apply where the owner, occupant or lessee of the premises grants express permission for snowmobiling in exchange for valuable consideration. However, this subsection will apply where such consideration is given to such owner, occupant or lessee by the State or one of its political subdivisions.

N. Notwithstanding any other law or Section of this Act to the contrary, the State and any political subdivision or municipality thereof owes no duty of care to keep the premises safe for entry or use by others for snowmobiling or to guard against or give warnings of any condition, use, structure or activity on property in which the State and any political subdivision or municipality thereof has any interest.

(Source: P.A. 89-55, eff. 1-1-96.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 40/5-1 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 40/5-1 (Illegal operation) is classified as a Petty Offense.

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

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 40/5-1 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 625 ILCS 40/5-1 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 625 ILCS 40/5-1?

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 625 ILCS 40/5-1 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 40/5-1 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-40-5-1
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes