CHAPTER 12 - EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES

625 ILCS 5/12-709

Sec. 12-709. Slow-moving vehicle emblem.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/12-709
Offense Description
Slow-moving vehicle emblem – violation
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 5/12-709 (Slow-moving vehicle emblem – violation) 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 8431

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Slow-moving vehicle emblem – violation Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/12-709 -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible 8431 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 12-709. Slow-moving vehicle emblem.

(a)

(a) Every animal drawn vehicle, farm tractor, implement of husbandry and special mobile equipment, when operated on a highway must display a slow-moving vehicle emblem mounted on the rear except as provided in paragraph (b) of this Section. Special mobile equipment is exempt when operated within the limits of a construction or maintenance project where traffic control devices are used in compliance with the applicable provisions of the manual and specifications adopted under Section 11-301 of the "Illinois Vehicle Code".

(b)

(b) Every vehicle or unit described in paragraph (a) of this Section when operated in combination on a highway must display a slow-moving vehicle emblem as follows:

1. Where the towed unit or any load thereon partially or totally obscures the slow-moving vehicle emblem on the towing unit, the towed unit shall be equipped with a slow-moving vehicle emblem. In such cases the towing unit need not display the emblem. 2. Where the slow-moving vehicle emblem on the towing unit is not obscured by the towed unit or its load, then either or both may be equipped with the required emblem but it shall be sufficient if either displays it. 3. A registered truck towed behind a farm tractor in conformity with the provisions of Section 11-1418 of the "Illinois Vehicle Code" must display a slow-moving vehicle emblem in the manner provided in paragraph (c) while being towed on a highway if the emblem on the towing vehicle is partially or totally obscured. (c) The slow-moving vehicle emblem required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section must meet or exceed the specifications and mounting requirements established by the Department. Such specifications and mounting requirements shall, on and before August 31, 2004, be based on the specifications adopted by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and published by that body as ASAE S 276.2 dated March, 1968 or as ASAE S 276.5. On and after September 1, 2004, the specifications and mounting requirements shall be based on the specifications adopted by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and published by that body as ASAE S 276.5 NOV 97. No advertising or other marking shall appear upon the emblem except that specified by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers to identify the standard to which the material complies. Each original package containing a slow-moving vehicle emblem shall display a notice on the outside of the package stating that such emblem shall only be used for the purposes stated in subsections (a) and (b).

(d)

(d) A slow-moving vehicle emblem is intended as a safety identification device and shall not be displayed on any vehicle nor displayed in any manner other than as described in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section. A slow-moving vehicle emblem may not be displayed in public view from a highway on an object other than a vehicle or unit described in subsection (a) of this Section or a vehicle required to display a slow-moving vehicle emblem under subsection (e) of Section 11-1426.1 of this Code. A violation of this subsection (d) is a petty offense punishable by a fine of $75.

(Source: P.A. 97-958, eff. 8-15-12.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/12-709 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/12-709 (Slow-moving vehicle emblem – violation) is classified as a Petty Offense.

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

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/12-709 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 5/12-709 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 5/12-709?

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 5/12-709 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/12-709 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-12-709
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes