CHAPTER 4 - ANTI-THEFT LAWS

625 ILCS 5/4-201

Sec. 4-201. Abandonment of vehicles prohibited.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/4-201
Offense Description
Abandonment of vehicles prohibited
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.
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 5/4-201 (Abandonment of vehicles prohibited) 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 Scope Class A Misdemeanor

Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Court Appearance Mandate Rule 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.

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 Class A Misdemeanor
Court Appearance Mandatory Court Appearance (Rule 551)
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code 8098

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Abandonment of vehicles prohibited Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/4-201 -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible 8098 ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 4-201. Abandonment of vehicles prohibited.

(a)

(a) The abandonment of a vehicle or any part thereof on any highway in this State is unlawful and subject to penalties as set forth under Penalty Section 4-214 of this Chapter.

(b)

(b) The abandonment of a vehicle or any part thereof on private or public property, other than a highway, in view of the general public, anywhere in this State is unlawful except on property of the owner or bailee of such abandoned vehicle. A vehicle or any part thereof so abandoned on private property shall be authorized for removal, by a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction, after a waiting period of 7 days or more, or may be removed immediately if determined to be a hazardous dilapidated motor vehicle under Section 11-40-3.1 of the Illinois Municipal Code. A violation of subsections (a) or (b) of this Section is subject to penalties as set forth under Section 4-214 of this Chapter.

(c)

(c) A towing service may begin to process an unclaimed vehicle as abandoned by requesting a record search by the Secretary of State up to 10 days after the date of the tow, or any later date acceptable to the Secretary of State. This subsection (c) shall not apply to vehicles towed by order or authorization of a law enforcement agency.

(Source: P.A. 90-330, eff. 8-8-97.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/4-201 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/4-201 (Abandonment of vehicles prohibited) 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 5/4-201 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 5/4-201 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 5/4-201?

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 5/4-201 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/4-201 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-4-201
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes