CHAPTER 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES

625 ILCS 5/12-604.1

Sec. 12-604.1. Video devices.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/12-604.1
Offense Description
Operating motor vehicle with prohibited video device – petty offense
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 5/12-604.1 (Operating motor vehicle with prohibited video device – petty offense) 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 8409

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Operating motor vehicle with prohibited video device – petty offense Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/12-604.1 -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8409 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 12-604.1. Video devices.

(a)

(a) A person may not operate a motor vehicle if a television receiver, a video monitor, a television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver's seat, or is operating and visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle.

(a-5) A person commits aggravated use of a video device when he or she violates subsection (a) and in committing the violation he or she was involved in a motor vehicle crash that results in great bodily harm, permanent disability, disfigurement, or death to another and the violation was a proximate cause of the injury or death.

(b)

(b) This Section does not apply to the following equipment, whether or not permanently installed in a vehicle:

(1)

(1) a vehicle information display;

(2)

(2) a global positioning display;

(3)

(3) a mapping or navigation display;

(4)

(4) a visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver's view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the vehicle; (5) television-type receiving equipment used exclusively for safety or traffic engineering studies; or (6) a television receiver, video monitor, television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal, if that equipment has an interlock device that, when the motor vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses except as a visual display as described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of this subsection (b). (c) This Section does not apply to a mobile, digital terminal installed in an authorized emergency vehicle, a motor vehicle providing emergency road service or roadside assistance, or to motor vehicles utilized for public transportation.

(d)

(d) This Section does not apply to a television receiver, video monitor, television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal if: (i) the equipment is permanently installed in the motor vehicle; and (ii) the moving entertainment images that the equipment displays are not visible to the driver while the motor vehicle is in motion.

(d-5) This Section does not apply to a video event recorder, as defined in Section 1-218.10 of this Code, installed in a contract carrier vehicle.

(e)

(e) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this Section, a person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a petty offense and shall be fined not more than $100 for a first offense, not more than $200 for a second offense within one year of a previous conviction, and not more than $250 for a third or subsequent offense within one year of 2 previous convictions.

(f)

(f) A person convicted of violating subsection (a-5) commits a Class A misdemeanor if the violation resulted in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to another. A person convicted of violating subsection (a-5) commits a Class 4 felony if the violation resulted in the death of another person.

(Source: P.A. 102-982, eff. 7-1-23.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/12-604.1 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/12-604.1 (Operating motor vehicle with prohibited video device – petty offense) is classified as a Petty Offense.

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

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/12-604.1 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 5/12-604.1 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 5/12-604.1?

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 5/12-604.1 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/12-604.1 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-12-604.1
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes