Sec. 11-313. Unlawful possession of highway sign or marker. The Department and local authorities, with reference to traffic control signs, signals, or markers owned by the Department or local authority, are authorized to indicate the ownership of the signs, signals, or markers in letters not less than 3/8 inch or more than 3/4 inch in height, by use of a metal stamp, etching, or other permanent means and, except for employees of the Department or local authorities, police officers, contractors and their employees engaged in a highway construction contract or work on the highway approved by the Department or local authority, it is unlawful for any person to possess such sign, signal, or marker so identified.
Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/11-313
Offense Description
Unlawful possession of traffic control sign
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 5/11-313 (Unlawful possession of traffic control sign) 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. 11-313. Unlawful possession of highway sign or marker. The Department and local authorities, with reference to traffic control signs, signals, or markers owned by the Department or local authority, are authorized to indicate the ownership of the signs, signals, or markers in letters not less than 3/8 inch or more than 3/4 inch in height, by use of a metal stamp, etching, or other permanent means and, except for employees of the Department or local authorities, police officers, contractors and their employees engaged in a highway construction contract or work on the highway approved by the Department or local authority, it is unlawful for any person to possess such sign, signal, or marker so identified.
(Source: P.A. 91-512, eff. 8-13-99.)
Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis
Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/11-313 in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-313 (Unlawful possession of traffic control sign) 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 5/11-313 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 5/11-313 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 5/11-313?
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 5/11-313 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.)625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/11-313 (2026)
Canonical Web Referencehttps://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-11-313