CHAPTER 11 - RULES OF THE ROAD

625 ILCS 5/11-1202

Sec. 11-1202. Certain vehicles must stop at all railroad grade crossings.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/11-1202
Offense Description
Failure to stop at railroad crossing – specific vehicles
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
SOS Administrative Action: Moving Violation (Point Assessment & Suspension Counter) · Conviction counts toward Illinois SOS license suspension threshold (3 convictions in 12 months for age 21+; 2 convictions in 24 months for under 21).
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-1202 (Failure to stop at railroad crossing – specific vehicles) 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 SOS Administrative Action

Moving Violation (Point Assessment & Suspension Counter) · Conviction counts toward Illinois SOS license suspension threshold (3 convictions in 12 months for age 21+; 2 convictions in 24 months for under 21).

Classification Petty Offense
Court Appearance Pre-set Bond / Release on Notice
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code 8296

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Failure to stop at railroad crossing – specific vehicles Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/11-1202 -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8296 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 11-1202. Certain vehicles must stop at all railroad grade crossings.

(a)

(a) The driver of any of the following vehicles shall, before crossing a railroad track or tracks at grade, stop such vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail and, while so stopped, shall listen and look for the approach of a train or railroad track equipment and shall not proceed until such movement can be made with safety:

1. Any second division vehicle carrying passengers for hire; 2. Any bus that meets all of the special requirements for school buses in Sections 12-801, 12-803, and 12-805 of this Code. The driver of the bus, in addition to complying with all other applicable requirements of this subsection (a), must also (i) turn off all noise producing accessories, including heater blowers, defroster fans, auxiliary fans, and radios, and (ii) open the service door and driver's window, before crossing a railroad track or tracks; 3. (Blank).

(a-1) The driver of any of the following vehicles shall, before crossing a railroad track or tracks at grade, stop such vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail and, while so stopped, shall listen and look for the approach of a train or railroad track equipment and shall not proceed until such movement can be made with safety:

1. A commercial motor vehicle, as defined in Section 6-500 of this Code, carrying passengers for hire; 2. Any bus that meets all of the special requirements for school buses in Sections 12-801, 12-803, and 12-805 of this Code and is designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver. The driver of the bus, in addition to complying with all other applicable requirements of this subsection (a-1), must also (i) turn off all noise producing accessories, including heater blowers, defroster fans, auxiliary fans, and radios, and (ii) open the service door and driver's window, before crossing a railroad track or tracks; 3. Any other vehicle which is required by federal or State law to be placarded when carrying as a cargo or part of a cargo hazardous material as defined in the Illinois Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. After stopping as required in this Section, the driver shall proceed only in a gear not requiring a change of gears during the crossing, and the driver shall not shift gears while crossing the track or tracks.

(b)

(b) This Section shall not apply:

1. At any railroad grade crossing where traffic is controlled by a police officer or flagperson; 2. At any railroad grade crossing controlled by a functioning traffic-control signal transmitting a green indication which, under law, permits the vehicle to proceed across the railroad tracks without slowing or stopping, except that subsection (a) shall apply to any school bus; 3. At any streetcar grade crossing within a business or residence district; or 4. At any abandoned, industrial or spur track railroad grade crossing designated as exempt by the Illinois Commerce Commission and marked with an official sign as authorized in the State Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways. (Source: P.A. 103-179, eff. 6-30-23.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/11-1202 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-1202 (Failure to stop at railroad crossing – specific vehicles) is classified as a Petty Offense.

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

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/11-1202 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 5/11-1202 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 5/11-1202?

SOS Administrative Action: Moving Violation (Point Assessment & Suspension Counter) · Conviction counts toward Illinois SOS license suspension threshold (3 convictions in 12 months for age 21+; 2 convictions in 24 months for under 21).

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 5/11-1202 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/11-1202 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-11-1202
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes