Sec. 11-1401. Unattended motor vehicles. Except for a law enforcement officer or an operator of an authorized emergency vehicle performing his or her official duties, no person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition, effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any perceptible grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway. An unattended motor vehicle shall not include an unattended locked motor vehicle with the engine running after being started by a remote starter system.
Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/11-1401
Offense Description
Unattended motor vehicle left illegally
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
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).
Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-1401 (Unattended motor vehicle left illegally) 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 SanctionSOS 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).
Sec. 11-1401. Unattended motor vehicles. Except for a law enforcement officer or an operator of an authorized emergency vehicle performing his or her official duties, no person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition, effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any perceptible grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway. An unattended motor vehicle shall not include an unattended locked motor vehicle with the engine running after being started by a remote starter system.
(Source: P.A. 100-435, eff. 8-25-17.)
Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis
Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/11-1401 in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-1401 (Unattended motor vehicle left illegally) is classified as a Petty Offense.
Sentencing Scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000
Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/11-1401 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 5/11-1401 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 5/11-1401?
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 Citation625 ILCS 5/11-1401 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.)625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/11-1401 (2026)
Canonical Web Referencehttps://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-11-1401