Sec. 11-312. Unlawful Use or Damage to Highways, Appurtenances and Structures. It shall be unlawful for any person to wilfully injure or damage any public highway or street or any bridge or culvert, or to wilfully damage, injure or remove any sign, signpost, or structure upon or used or constructed in connection with any public highway or street for the protection thereof or for protection or regulation of traffic thereon by any wilfully unusual, improper or unreasonable use thereof, or by wilfully careless driving or use of any vehicle thereon, or by the wilful mutilation, defacing, destruction or removal thereof.
Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/11-312
Offense Description
Unlawful use of or damage to highways, appurtenances and structures
Offense Classification
Class A Misdemeanor
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
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 5/11-312 (Unlawful use of or damage to highways, appurtenances and structures) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500. Court appearance is mandatory under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.
Offense Class & Sentencing ScopeClass A Misdemeanor
Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Court Appearance MandateRule 551 Mandatory Court
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
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. 11-312. Unlawful Use or Damage to Highways, Appurtenances and Structures. It shall be unlawful for any person to wilfully injure or damage any public highway or street or any bridge or culvert, or to wilfully damage, injure or remove any sign, signpost, or structure upon or used or constructed in connection with any public highway or street for the protection thereof or for protection or regulation of traffic thereon by any wilfully unusual, improper or unreasonable use thereof, or by wilfully careless driving or use of any vehicle thereon, or by the wilful mutilation, defacing, destruction or removal thereof.
Every person who is convicted of a violation of this Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of at least $250 in addition to any other penalty which may be imposed.
(Source: P.A. 83-672.)
Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis
Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/11-312 in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-312 (Unlawful use of or damage to highways, appurtenances and structures) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor.
Sentencing Scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/11-312 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?
Mandatory Personal Appearance Required: Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 5/11-312 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 5/11-312?
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 5/11-312 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.)625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/11-312 (2026)
Canonical Web Referencehttps://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-11-312