By Bob Paterson In many situations, yes, crossing a street outside a marked crosswalk can be legal in Illinois. Illinois does not have a blanket rule requiring pedestrians to use a marked crosswalk every time they cross a road. However, pedestrians crossing outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk generally must yield to vehicles. Crossing between two adjacent intersections controlled by traffic signals is prohibited except in a marked crosswalk. Pedestrians must also obey traffic-control signals and other applicable roadway rules.
What Does Illinois Law Say About Jaywalking?
Illinois law does not primarily use the word “jaywalking.” Instead, pedestrian crossings are regulated under the Illinois Vehicle Code, particularly 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.
Under this law, a pedestrian crossing a roadway somewhere other than a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to vehicles on the road.
This means crossing in the middle of a block is not automatically illegal everywhere in Illinois.
However, the situation changes when the pedestrian is between two adjacent intersections where traffic-control signals are operating. In that situation, the pedestrian may cross only within a marked crosswalk.
Can You Cross a Street Without Using a Crosswalk?
Yes, in some circumstances.
If there is no rule requiring the pedestrian to use a particular crosswalk, a person may generally cross outside a marked crosswalk. However, the pedestrian does not have the same right-of-way protection that normally applies when crossing properly within a crosswalk.
When crossing outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk, the pedestrian must yield to vehicles.
For example, if someone crosses halfway down a residential block where there are no adjacent signal-controlled intersections, the crossing itself may be lawful. But that person must wait until it is safe and cannot expect approaching vehicles to stop simply because he or she has entered the roadway.
When Is Jaywalking Illegal in Illinois?
Several types of pedestrian crossings can violate Illinois law.
One of the clearest examples occurs between adjacent intersections where traffic-control signals are operating. Pedestrians cannot cross the road between those intersections except within a marked crosswalk.
Illinois also prohibits pedestrians from crossing an intersection diagonally unless an official traffic-control device specifically authorizes diagonal crossing.
Pedestrians must obey pedestrian signals, traffic lights, and other traffic-control devices directed at them. Ignoring a “DON’T WALK” signal or another applicable traffic instruction can therefore result in a violation.
Do Pedestrians Have the Right-of-Way at Crosswalks?
Generally, yes, but the right is not unlimited.
When traffic signals are absent or not operating, Illinois law requires drivers to stop and yield to a pedestrian crossing within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the driver’s half of the roadway or is approaching closely enough from the opposite half to be in danger.
However, pedestrians also have responsibilities.
A pedestrian cannot suddenly step or run from a curb or other place of safety directly into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it creates an immediate hazard.
Therefore, being inside a crosswalk does not give a pedestrian permission to enter moving traffic without considering whether an approaching vehicle has enough time to stop safely.
What Is an Unmarked Crosswalk in Illinois?
A crosswalk does not always need painted white lines on the road.
Illinois law recognizes both marked crosswalks and unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
This distinction is important because pedestrians may have crosswalk rights at certain intersections even when there are no painted lines.
Therefore, someone crossing at an ordinary intersection should not automatically be considered a jaywalker simply because there is no visibly painted crosswalk.
The legal location of the crossing and the traffic controls at the intersection matter more than whether white lines are painted on the pavement.
Can You Walk Along the Road in Illinois?
Illinois also regulates pedestrians walking along highways.
When a usable sidewalk is available, pedestrians generally must use the sidewalk instead of walking along the adjacent roadway.
If there is no sidewalk, a pedestrian should generally walk on the shoulder as far as practicable from the roadway.
When neither a sidewalk nor shoulder is available, Illinois law generally requires the pedestrian to stay as close as practicable to the outside edge of the roadway. On a two-way road, the pedestrian normally must walk on the left side, facing traffic.
These rules are separate from the laws governing crossing a street.
Do Drivers Still Have to Avoid Jaywalking Pedestrians?
Yes.
Even if a pedestrian crosses improperly or fails to yield, a driver does not receive permission to ignore the person’s safety.
Illinois law requires every driver to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians. Drivers must give a warning when necessary and exercise particular caution when they see children or people who are obviously confused, incapacitated, or intoxicated.
Therefore, a pedestrian traffic violation does not automatically relieve a motorist of the obligation to drive carefully.
What Is the Penalty for Illegal Jaywalking in Illinois?
A violation of Illinois pedestrian traffic rules can result in a citation.
Under 625 ILCS 5/11-202, violating a requirement or prohibition in Chapter 11 of the Illinois Vehicle Code is generally a petty offense unless the law establishes a different classification for that particular violation.
The actual financial consequence can depend on the particular violation, court costs, and applicable local rules.
Municipalities may also enforce local pedestrian and traffic ordinances, so the consequences of an improper crossing can differ depending on where in Illinois the violation occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is it illegal to cross the street outside a crosswalk in Illinois?
Not always. A pedestrian may generally cross outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk in some locations but must yield the right-of-way to vehicles.
Q2. Can you jaywalk between two traffic lights in Illinois?
Not when the pedestrian is between adjacent intersections where traffic-control signals are operating. In that situation, Illinois law requires pedestrians to cross within a marked crosswalk.
Q3. Can you cross diagonally at an intersection in Illinois?
Generally no. Diagonal pedestrian crossing is allowed only when an official traffic-control device specifically authorizes it.
Q4. Do cars have to stop for someone jaywalking?
A pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk generally must yield to vehicles. However, Illinois law still requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid hitting any pedestrian, even when the pedestrian is crossing improperly.