225 ILCS 440

225 ILCS 440
in effect

225 ILCS 440/1

(225 ILCS 440/1) (from Ch. 121, par. 501) Sec. 1. The General Assembly finds and declares that the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising signs, displays, and devices in areas adjacent to Interstate highways and primary highways should be regulated in order to protect the public investment in such highways, to promote the recreational value of public travel, to preserve natural beauty and to promote the reasonable, orderly and effective display of such signs, displays and devices. The General Assembly further finds and declares that outdoor advertising is a legitimate, commercial use of private property adjacent to roads and highways; that outdoor advertising is an integral part of the business and marketing function, and an established segment of the national economy which serves to promote and protect private investments in commerce and industry and should be allowed to operate in business areas; and that the regulatory standards set forth in Section 6 of this Act are consistent with customary use in this State and will properly and adequately carry out each and all of the purposes of this Act, more severe restrictions being inconsistent with customary use and ineffective to accomplish the purposes of this Act. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/2

(225 ILCS 440/2) (from Ch. 121, par. 502) Sec. 2. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971". (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/3

(225 ILCS 440/3) (from Ch. 121, par. 503) Sec. 3. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in the Sections following this Section and preceding Section 4 have the meanings ascribed to them in those Sections. (Source: P.A. 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

225 ILCS 440/3.01 "Department" means the Department of Transportation of the State of Illinois

(225 ILCS 440/3.01) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.01) Sec. 3.01. "Department" means the Department of Transportation of the State of Illinois. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/3.02

(225 ILCS 440/3.02) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.02) Sec. 3.02. "Interstate highway" means any highway designated by the Department and approved by the United States Department of Transportation as a part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways on the effective date of this Act or thereafter. A highway constructed after the effective date of this Act shall become a part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways upon the date of approval of the Route Location Decision and the approval of the addition of the highway to the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways by the Governor and the United States Department of Transportation. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/3.03

(225 ILCS 440/3.03) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.03) Sec. 3.03. "Primary highway" means any highway, other than an Interstate highway, designated by the Department and approved by the United States Department of Transportation as a part of the Federal-Aid Primary System in existence on June 1, 1991 or any highway other than an Interstate highway that is not on such system that is on the National Highway System. (Source: P.A. 89-605, eff. 8-2-96.)

225 ILCS 440/3.04

(225 ILCS 440/3.04) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.04) Sec. 3.04. "Expressway" means a primary highway constructed as a freeway which has complete control of access. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/3.05

(225 ILCS 440/3.05) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.05) Sec. 3.05. "Main-traveled way" means the traveled way of a highway on which through traffic is carried. In the case of a divided highway, the traveled way of each of the separated roadways for traffic in opposite directions is a main-traveled way. It does not include such facilities as frontage roads, turning roadways, or parking areas. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/3.06

(225 ILCS 440/3.06) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.06) Sec. 3.06. "Maintain" means to allow to exist and includes the periodic changing of advertising messages as well as the normal maintenance or repair of signs and sign structures. (Source: P.A. 96-919, eff. 6-9-10.)

225 ILCS 440/3.07

(225 ILCS 440/3.07) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.07) Sec. 3.07. "Sign" means any outdoor sign, display, device, notice, figure painting, drawing, message, placard, poster, billboard, or other thing, which is designated, intended, or used to advertise or inform, and of which any part of the existing or intended advertising or informative contents is or will be visible from any place on the main-traveled way of any portion of an Interstate or primary highway and which is within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of such highway. "Sign" also means any sign described in paragraph one of this Section which is more than 660 feet from the nearest edge of such highway, outside of an urban area, visible from any place on the main-traveled way of any portion of such highway and erected with the purpose of its message being read from such main-traveled way. (Source: P.A. 79-1009.)

225 ILCS 440/3.08

(225 ILCS 440/3.08) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.08) Sec. 3.08. "Erect" means to construct, build, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach, create, paint, draw or in any other way bring into being or establish; but does not include any of the foregoing activities when performed as an incident to the change of advertising message or normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure. For the purposes of this definition, the following shall not constitute normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure: replacing more than 60% of the uprights, in whole or in part, of a wooden sign structure; replacing more than 30% of the length above ground of each broken, bent, or twisted support of a metal sign structure; raising the height above ground of a sign or sign structure; making a sign bigger; adding lighting; or similar activities that substantially change a sign or make a sign more valuable. (Source: P.A. 96-919, eff. 6-9-10.)

225 ILCS 440/3.09

(225 ILCS 440/3.09) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.09) Sec. 3.09. "Municipality" means a city, village, or incorporated town in the State of Illinois, but, unless the context otherwise provides, "municipal" or "municipality" does not include a township, town when used as the equivalent of a township, incorporated town which has superseded a civil township, county, school district, park district, sanitary district or any other similar governmental district. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/3.10

(225 ILCS 440/3.10) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.10) Sec. 3.10. "Commercial or industrial activities" means those activities located within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way generally recognized as commercial or industrial by zoning authorities in this State, but does not include the following: (a) Agricultural, forestry, ranging, grazing and farming activities, including wayside fresh produce stands and grain storage bins; (b) Railroad tracks and minor sidings; (c) Transient or temporary activities not involving permanent buildings or structures; (d) Outdoor advertising structures; (e) Activities not visible from a main-traveled way; (f) Activities conducted in a building principally used as a residence. (Source: P.A. 79-1009.)

225 ILCS 440/3.11

(225 ILCS 440/3.11) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.11) Sec. 3.11. "Unzoned commercial or industrial area" means any area adjacent to the right-of-way of a primary highway not zoned by any county or municipality and which lies within 600 feet of any commercial or industrial activity. All measurements shall be from the outer edges of the regularly used buildings, parking lots, storage or processing areas of the activities, not from the property lines of the activities, and shall be along or parallel to the edge or pavement of the highway. On primary highways other than expressways where there is an unzoned commercial or industrial area on one side of the road in accordance with the preceding, the unzoned commercial or industrial area shall also include those lands directly opposite on the other side of the highway to the extent of the same dimensions except where such lands are publicly owned or controlled for scenic or recreational purposes. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/3.12

(225 ILCS 440/3.12) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.12) Sec. 3.12. Business area. "Business area" means any part of an area adjacent to and within 660 feet of the right-of-way which is zoned for business, commercial or industrial activities under the authority of any law of this State; or not so zoned, but which constitutes an unzoned commercial or industrial area as defined in Section 3.11. However, as to signs along Interstate highways, the term "business area" includes only areas which are within incorporated limits of any city, village, or incorporated town, as such limits existed on September 21, 1959, and which are zoned for industrial or commercial use, or both, or to portions of Interstate highways which traverse other areas where the land use, as of September 21, 1959, was established by State law as industrial or commercial, or both. With respect to signs owned or leased by the State or a political subdivision, an area zoned for business, commercial, or industrial activities that is adjacent to and within 660 feet of an Interstate highway and that is in Township 41 North, Range 10 East of the Third Principal Meridian, shall be deemed a "business area" for purposes of this Act. This zoning must have been a part of comprehensive zoning and not have been created primarily to permit outdoor advertising structures as described in 23 CFR 750. (Source: P.A. 98-56, eff. 7-5-13.)

225 ILCS 440/3.13

(225 ILCS 440/3.13) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.13) Sec. 3.13. "Visible" means capable of being seen (whether or not legible) without visual aid by persons of normal visual acuity. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/3.14

(225 ILCS 440/3.14) (from Ch. 121, par. 503.14) Sec. 3.14. For purposes of this Act, "urban area" means an urbanized area or, in the case of an urbanized area encompassing more than one state, that part of the urbanized area in each such state, or an urban place as designated by the Bureau of the Census of the United States having a population of 5,000 or more and not within any urbanized area, within boundaries to be fixed by responsible state and local officials in cooperation with each other, subject to approval by the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation. Such boundaries shall, as a minimum, encompass the entire urban place designated by the Bureau of the Census. (Source: P.A. 79-1009.)

225 ILCS 440/3.15

(225 ILCS 440/3.15) Sec. 3.15. "National Highway System" is a designation provided to certain highways by the Department, which designation must be approved by the United States Department of Transportation and the United States Congress for the purpose of providing an interconnected system of principal arterial routes that serve major population centers, international border crossings, ports, airports, public transportation facilities, other major travel destinations, and interstate and interregional travel and meet national defense requirements. (Source: P.A. 89-605, eff. 8-2-96.)

225 ILCS 440/3.16

(225 ILCS 440/3.16) Sec. 3.16. "Scenic byway" means that portion of a highway that has been nominated by the Department to the United States Department of Transportation for designation as a national scenic byway or All-American Road, and that has received national designation. "Scenic byway" does not include a section of primary or Interstate highway that traverses a business area at the time of nomination, except in accordance with Section 14.02(a)(5). (Source: P.A. 89-605, eff. 8-2-96.)

225 ILCS 440/3.17

(225 ILCS 440/3.17) Sec. 3.17. On-premise sign. "On-premise sign" means any sign advertising a business or activity conducted on the property on which they are located. (Source: P.A. 98-56, eff. 7-5-13.)

225 ILCS 440/3.18

(225 ILCS 440/3.18) Sec. 3.18. Off-premise sign. "Off-premise sign" means any sign advertising a business or activity not being conducted on the same property as the sign. (Source: P.A. 98-56, eff. 7-5-13.)

225 ILCS 440/3.19

(225 ILCS 440/3.19) Sec. 3.19. Real estate sign. "Real estate sign" means any sign advertising solely the sale or lease of the property on which the sign is located. (Source: P.A. 98-56, eff. 7-5-13.)

225 ILCS 440/3.20

(225 ILCS 440/3.20) Sec. 3.20. Municipal network sign. "Municipal network sign" means an official sign or a sign that: (1) is located on property owned or controlled by a local government that has a population of 2,000,000 or more and that has adopted zoning regulations consistent with this Act; (2) is controlled under the direction of the local government; (3) complies with zoning regulations consistent with this Act; (4) is placed within a business area as defined in Section 3.12 of this Act; (5) is used to communicate emergency, public, and commercial information; and (6) is consistent with the intent of this Act and with customary use of the local government as to the sign's installation and operation, including the size, lighting, and spacing of signs. (Source: P.A. 98-56, eff. 7-5-13.)

225 ILCS 440/4

(225 ILCS 440/4) (from Ch. 121, par. 504) Sec. 4. Signs shall not be erected or maintained along primary or Interstate highways except those described in Sections 4.01 through 4.08. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/4.01

(225 ILCS 440/4.01) (from Ch. 121, par. 504.01) Sec. 4.01. Directional and other official signs, including, but not limited to, signs pertaining to natural wonders, scenic and historical attractions, which are required or authorized by law, and which comply with regulations which shall be promulgated by the Department relative to their lighting, size, number, spacing and such other requirements as may be appropriate to implement this Act, but such regulations shall not be inconsistent with, nor more restrictive than, such national standards as may be promulgated from time to time by the Secretary of the Department of Transportation of the United States, under subsection (c) of Section 131 of Title 23 of the United States Code. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/4.02

(225 ILCS 440/4.02) (from Ch. 121, par. 504.02) Sec. 4.02. Real estate signs. Real estate signs as defined in Section 3.19 of this Act. However, real estate signs must comply only with the provisions in Section 5 of this Act. (Source: P.A. 98-56, eff. 7-5-13.)

225 ILCS 440/4.03

(225 ILCS 440/4.03) (from Ch. 121, par. 504.03) Sec. 4.03. On-premise signs. On-premise signs as defined in Section 3.17 of this Act. However, on-premise signs must comply only with the provisions in Section 5 of this Act. (Source: P.A. 98-56, eff. 7-5-13.)

225 ILCS 440/4.04

(225 ILCS 440/4.04) (from Ch. 121, par. 504.04) Sec. 4.04. Off-premise signs. Off-premise signs which are erected in business areas after the effective date of this Act and which comply, when erected, with Sections 5, 6 (subject to provisions of Section 7) and 8 of this Act. (Source: P.A. 98-56, eff. 7-5-13.)

225 ILCS 440/4.05

(225 ILCS 440/4.05) (from Ch. 121, par. 504.05) Sec. 4.05. Signs in existence in a "business area", except signs which do not comply with Section 5, subsection (b) of Section 6.02, subsection (a) of Section 6.03 or Section 8 of this Act. For purposes of this Section, to be "in existence" the supports and frame of a sign must be physically in place: (a) on the effective date of this Act; or (b) on the date subsequent to the passage of this Act when the area in which the sign is located becomes subject to this Act or within six months thereafter, provided the sign is located on property leased prior to the date the area becomes subject to this Act and a copy of the lease is filed with the Department within 30 days following such date, except that the six month period shall not apply to those portions of a highway constructed on new alignment. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/4.06

(225 ILCS 440/4.06) (from Ch. 121, par. 504.06) Sec. 4.06. Signs affixed by public utilities to their poles and other facilities for identification. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/4.07 (Repealed)

(225 ILCS 440/4.07) Sec. 4.07. (Repealed). (Source: P.A. 79-1009. Repealed by P.A. 98-56, eff. 7-5-13.)

225 ILCS 440/4.08

(225 ILCS 440/4.08) (from Ch. 121, par. 504.08) Sec. 4.08. Signs, displays and devices giving specific information in the interest of the traveling public may be erected and maintained by the Department within the right-of-way on the Interstate System and on other freeways with full control of access in areas designated by the United States Secretary of Transportation, pursuant to Title 23, U.S. Code, Section 131 (f). Signs giving specific information regarding tourist oriented businesses in the interest of the traveling public may also be erected and maintained by the Department within the right-of-way on rural non-interstate and non-freeway State highways. Such signs, displays and devices shall conform to national standards promulgated by the Secretary pursuant to such authority. (Source: P.A. 90-272, eff. 7-30-97.)

225 ILCS 440/5

(225 ILCS 440/5) (from Ch. 121, par. 505) Sec. 5. No sign may be erected or maintained that: (a) Imitates or resembles an official traffic sign, signal or device; (b) Is erected, painted or drawn upon trees, rocks or other natural features; (c) Is structurally unsafe or in disrepair; or (d) Is erected adjacent to a scenic byway that is a primary or Interstate highway after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1996, except those signs described in Sections 4.01, 4.02, 4.03, 4.06, and 4.08 of this Act. (Source: P.A. 89-605, eff. 8-2-96.)

225 ILCS 440/6

(225 ILCS 440/6) (from Ch. 121, par. 506) Sec. 6. Signs permitted under Section 4.04 must comply with the requirements of Sections 6.01, 6.02 and 6.03. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/6.01

(225 ILCS 440/6.01) (from Ch. 121, par. 506.01) Sec. 6.01. Size of signs. No sign may be erected which exceeds 1,200 square feet in area, 30 feet in height and 60 feet in length, including border and trim, but excluding ornamental base or apron, supports and other structural members. Except with respect to the repair, rebuilding, or replacement of any sign lawfully erected before January 1, 1993, no sign may be erected after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1992 in any county with a population under 2,000,000 that exceeds 800 square feet in area, excluding extensions and cut-outs; the extensions and cut-outs may account for no more than an additional 20% in sign surface area. The maximum size limitation shall apply to each side of a sign or sign structure. A maximum of 2 signs may be erected in a facing, in which event the facing shall be deemed to be one sign, the size of which may not exceed the dimensions listed in this Section. Signs may be double faced or be placed back to back or V-type or triangular, provided that the angle between sign faces shall not exceed 90 degrees. The area shall be measured by the smallest square, rectangle, triangle, circle or combination thereof which will encompass the entire sign. (Source: P.A. 91-774, eff. 1-1-01.)

225 ILCS 440/6.02 Lighting

(225 ILCS 440/6.02) (from Ch. 121, par. 506.02) Sec. 6.02. Lighting. (a) No sign may be erected which contains, includes or is illuminated by any flashing, intermittent or moving light or lights, except those giving public service information such as, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, time, weather, date and temperature. (b) No sign may be erected or maintained which is not effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled way of any Interstate or primary highway or which is of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/6.03 Spacing

(225 ILCS 440/6.03) (from Ch. 121, par. 506.03) Sec. 6.03. Spacing. (a) No sign may be erected or maintained in such a manner as to obscure or otherwise physically interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device or to obstruct or physically interfere with the driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic within 1000 feet of such sign, signal, device or point of intersecting or merging traffic. (b) Along interstate highways and expressways no two sign structures on the same side of the highway shall be erected less than 500 feet apart. Along primary highways other than expressways no 2 sign structures on the same side of the highway shall be erected less than 300 feet apart (100 feet inside incorporated municipalities). Except with respect to the repair, rebuilding, or replacement of any sign lawfully erected before January 1, 1993, after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1992, along primary highways other than expressways, no 2 sign structures on the same side of the highway shall be erected less than 500 feet apart (300 feet inside incorporated municipalities). A sign structure may have one or two facings with a maximum of two signs per facing. Back to back, V-type, and side by side signs shall be treated as single sign structures. Provided, however, that the foregoing spacing between structures requirements shall not apply to structures which are separated or screened by buildings, natural surroundings, or other obstructions in such manner that only one sign facing located within such distance is visible at any one time. (c) Outside incorporated municipalities, no sign structure may be erected along an interstate highway or expressway adjacent to, or within 500 feet of an interchange, rest area, or weigh station, such 500 feet to be measured along the main-traveled way from the beginning or ending of pavement widening at the exit from or entrance to the main-traveled way. (Source: P.A. 87-1205.)

225 ILCS 440/6.04

(225 ILCS 440/6.04) (from Ch. 121, par. 506.04) Sec. 6.04. The size, lighting and spacing provisions of Section 6 shall not be construed to apply to, or to impose additional limitations upon, signs of the types described in Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 4.03, nor shall such signs be counted nor shall measurements be made from them for purposes of determining compliance with spacing requirements. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/7

(225 ILCS 440/7) (from Ch. 121, par. 507) Sec. 7. In zoned commercial and industrial areas, whenever a State, county or municipal zoning authority has adopted laws or ordinances, which include regulations with respect to the size, lighting and spacing of signs, which regulations are consistent with the intent of this Act and with customary use, then from and after the effective date of such regulations, and so long as they shall continue in effect, the provisions of Section 6 shall not apply to the erection of signs in such areas. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/8

(225 ILCS 440/8) (from Ch. 121, par. 508) Sec. 8. Within 90 days of July 1, 1972, or the owner being notified of a new controlled route subject to this Act being added, each sign, except signs described by Sections 4.01, 4.02, and 4.03, must be registered with the Department by the owner of the sign, on forms obtained from the Department. Within 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1975, each sign located beyond 660 feet of the right-of-way located outside of urban areas, visible from the main-traveled way of the highway and erected with the purpose of the message being read from such traveled way, must be registered with the Department by the owner of the sign on forms obtained from the Department. The Department shall adopt rules specifying the standards for such registration, which may require reasonable information to be furnished including, but not limited to, the name of the owner of the land on which the sign is located and a statement that the owner has consented to the erection or maintenance of the sign. Registration must be made of each sign and shall be accompanied by a registration fee of $5. No sign, except signs described by Sections 4.01, 4.02, and 4.03, may be erected after the effective date of this Act without first obtaining a permit from the Department. The application for permit shall be on a form provided by the Department and shall contain such information as the Department may reasonably require. Upon receipt of an application and upon payment of the fee required under this Section, the Department then issues a permit to the applicant for the erection of the sign, provided such sign will not violate any provision of this Act. The Department shall have up to 45 days to complete its review and approve the permit application or notify the applicant of any and all deficiencies necessary for the Department's approval. The applicant shall then have 45 days to correct the noted deficiencies, and the Department shall have 30 days from receipt of the notice of corrected deficiencies to make a final determination. If the application for permit has been denied, written notice of the decision shall cite the specific federal law, State law, Illinois Administrative Code section, or Code of Federal Regulations section related to the denial and state in detail why the application was denied. The application fee shall be as follows: (1) for signs of less than 150 square feet, $50; (2) for signs of at least 150 but less than 300 square feet, $100; and (3) for signs of 300 or more square feet, $200. If a permit application is for a sign within an area subject to the Airport Zoning Act, the Department shall notify the applicant in writing that the review process will exceed the timelines set forth in the Section. Notwithstanding, the Department shall complete its own review of the permit application pending approval under the Airport Zoning Act. In determining the appropriateness of issuing a permit for a municipal network sign, the Department shall waive any provision or requirement of this Act or administrative rule adopted under the authority of this Act to the extent that the waiver does not contravene the federal Highway Beautification Act of 1965, 23 U.S.C. 131, and the regulations promulgated under that Act by the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation. Any municipal network sign applications pending on May 1, 2013 that are not affected by compliance with the federal Highway Beautification Act of 1965 shall be issued within 10 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly. The determination of the balance of pending municipal network sign applications and issuance of approved permits shall be completed within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly. To the extent that the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation or any court finds any permit granted pursuant to such a waiver to be inconsistent with or preempted by the federal Highway Beautification Act of 1965, 23 U.S.C. 131, and the regulations promulgated under that Act, that permit shall be void. Upon change of ownership of a sign permit or sign registration, the new owner of the sign permit or sign registration shall notify the Department to confirm the change of ownership and supply the necessary information in writing or on a form provided by the Department to transfer the permit or registration for such sign at no cost within 120 days after the change of ownership. The Department shall acknowledge to the new sign owner, in writing or by electronic communication, the receipt of such request within 14 calendar days after receiving the necessary information and shall complete the transfer and record the transferee as the new owner within 60 days after receiving the necessary information. Failure of the new sign owner to submit the necessary information to transfer the name of sign ownership on a sign permit within 120 calendar days may subject the permit to revocation. The Department shall issue a notice to the sign owner of failure to notify and inform the transferee of ownership that the transferee has 30 calendar days from receipt of notice to provide the necessary information required for the transfer of ownership. Owners of registered signs shall be issued an identifying tag, which must remain securely affixed to the front face of the sign or sign structure in a conspicuous position by the owner within 60 days after receipt of the tag; owners of signs erected by permit shall be issued an identifying tag which must remain securely affixed to the front face of the sign or sign structure in a conspicuous position by the owner upon completion of the sign erection or within 10 days after receipt of the tag, whichever is the later. When a sign owner intends to upgrade an existing legal permitted sign to a multiple message sign with a digital display, the Department shall not require a new sign permit. A permit addendum application requesting authorization for the upgrade shall be made on a form provided by the Department and shall be accompanied by a $200 fee, which shall not be subject to return upon rejection of the permit addendum application. As part of the permit addendum application, the Department shall not require a new land survey or other documentation that has previously been submitted and approved and is on file for the existing permit of the legal permitted sign. Upon receipt of the permit addendum application, the Department shall have up to 30 days to complete its initial review and either approve the addendum to the existing permit or notify the applicant of any and all deficiencies necessary for the Department's approval. The applicant shall have 30 days to correct the noted deficiencies, upon which the Department shall have 30 days after receipt of the notice of corrected deficiencies to make a final determination. If the permit application addendum is denied, written notice of the decision shall cite the specific federal law, State law, Illinois Administrative Code section, or Code of Federal Regulations section related to the denial and state in detail why the application was denied. For purposes of this Section, legal nonconforming sign structures are not eligible for this upgrade. A person aggrieved by any action of the Department in denying an application, revoking a permit or registration, or failing to act upon any permit within the designated time limit under this Act or the rules adopted by the Department may appeal such action to the Department. The appeal shall be filed within 30 days after receipt of the notice of denial or revocation or 30 days after the expiration of any deadline for action by the Department. Proceedings for the appeal shall commence within 30 days after the receipt of the appeal request unless the time limit is extended by agreement of the parties or granted by the administrative law judge upon a showing of good cause. If an appeal is filed due to the Department's failure to act upon a permit or other request within the designated time limit, the application or other request for action shall be denied and any other determination shall be adverse to the party seeking a decision under the Act. The record that is reviewed in cases of the Department's failure to act timely shall be limited to the communications between the parties, any documentation submitted or exchanged, and testimony of the parties. The administrative law judge's proposal may (i) remand the decision back to the Department for a decision to be made not inconsistent with the administrative law judge's findings and rulings or (ii) propose a final decision on the action requested. (Source: P.A. 103-471, eff. 8-4-23; 104-199, eff. 8-15-25.)

225 ILCS 440/8.1

(225 ILCS 440/8.1) Sec. 8.1. Hearing; findings and recommendations. (a) All hearings under this Act shall be conducted by an administrative law judge, appointed by the Secretary, who shall hear evidence relating to an application, a denial of a permit, a revocation of a permit, or other determinations by the Department as authorized in this Act. Within 30 days after the conclusion of the final hearing, the administrative law judge shall present to the Secretary a written proposal that contains findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations for a final decision by the Secretary. (b) A copy of the proposal shall be served upon the applicant or licensee by the Department in accordance with the notice provisions in rules adopted by the Department pursuant to Section 14.01. The applicant or licensee may present a response to the proposal to the Department no later than 30 calendar days after service. The Department shall have 30 days after the date of receipt of an applicant's or licensee's response to the proposal issued by the administrative law judge to submit a reply and serve the reply upon the applicant or licensee. Once 30 calendar days after service of a reply or the time limit provided for the Department to submit a reply has elapsed, the Secretary may enter a decision, supported by law and the record, and serve the decision upon the applicant or licensee and the Department. If the Secretary disagrees with the proposal of the administrative law judge, the Secretary may issue an order contrary to the proposal that includes specific findings of fact supported by the record. (c) The Secretary shall issue an order on the proposed decision no later than 60 days after the submission of the decision by the administrative law judge. The time limits in this Section are mandatory and shall not be interpreted to be discretionary. The order of the Secretary is a final administrative decision within the Department's administrative appeals process. Once the Secretary issues an order pursuant to this Section, there is no further ability to appeal or a right for reconsideration within the Department. (d) All substantive hearings under this Section are matters of public record and shall be preserved. (Source: P.A. 104-199, eff. 8-15-25.)

225 ILCS 440/8.2

(225 ILCS 440/8.2) Sec. 8.2. Administrative review. All final administrative decisions of the Department are subject to judicial review pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Review Law and all rules adopted under the Administrative Review Law. The term "administrative decision" is defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Proceedings for judicial review shall be commenced in either Sangamon County or Cook County. (Source: P.A. 104-199, eff. 8-15-25.)

225 ILCS 440/9

(225 ILCS 440/9) (from Ch. 121, par. 509) Sec. 9. In order to obtain compliance with this Act, the Department may after July 1, 1973 acquire property and other rights by purchase, gift, condemnation or otherwise. Just compensation shall be paid for the removal of signs lawfully erected or lawfully in existence but not permitted to be maintained under this Act. Just compensation shall include payment for the taking from the owner of any sign required to be removed under this Act of all right, title, leasehold and interest in such sign and for the taking from the owner of the real property on which the sign is located of the right to erect and maintain such sign. Nor does anything in this Section require payment of compensation for the right to erect and maintain signs to owners of real property on which no signs are located. Nothing in this Act requires the Department to proceed to acquire property or other rights, including signs, until federal funds to reimburse the State for not less than 75% of the cost of acquisition of property or other rights for which a federal share is payable are appropriated and allocated to the State for that purpose. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/9.5

(225 ILCS 440/9.5) Sec. 9.5. Eminent domain. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any power granted under this Act to acquire property by condemnation or eminent domain is subject to, and shall be exercised in accordance with, the Eminent Domain Act. (Source: P.A. 94-1055, eff. 1-1-07.)

225 ILCS 440/10

(225 ILCS 440/10) (from Ch. 121, par. 510) Sec. 10. The following signs are unlawful and a public nuisance: (a) Signs erected after the effective date of this Act in violation of this Act; (b) Signs not registered in accordance with this Act or in accordance with the regulations established by the Department; (c) Signs without valid permits, as required by this Act or by regulations established by the Department. Each sign declared by this Section to be unlawful and a public nuisance shall be removed or brought into compliance with this Act by the owner, without compensation, within 30 days after receipt of notice by certified mail from the Department, such notice period to be computed from the date of mailing. If the unlawful sign is affixed to a motor vehicle or a trailer or other vehicle capable of being propelled by a motor vehicle, it shall be removed by the owner, without compensation, within 24 hours after verbal notice by the Department. Any signs not so removed by the owners or any such signs which are removed and re-erected illegally by the owners shall become the property of the State and shall be removed and disposed of by the Department or may be painted over by the Department. The Department is also granted authority to enter upon private property for these purposes. If the name and address of the owner of the sign cannot be ascertained from the records of the Department or from a visual inspection of the sign foregoing notice provisions are not required and the Department shall take immediate action to remove or paint over the sign. (Source: P.A. 79-1009.)

225 ILCS 440/11

(225 ILCS 440/11) (from Ch. 121, par. 511) Sec. 11. The Department, on behalf of the State of Illinois, may seek agreement with the Secretary of Transportation of the United States under Section 131 of Title 23, United States Code, as amended, that this Act is in conformance with that Section 131 and provides effective control of outdoor advertising signs as set forth therein. If such agreement cannot be reached and the penalties under subsection (b) of Section 131 are invoked, the Attorney General of this State shall institute proceedings described in subsection (1) of that Section 131. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/12

(225 ILCS 440/12) (from Ch. 121, par. 512) Sec. 12. The Department may accept any allotment of funds by the United States, or by any agency thereof, appropriated to carry out the purposes of Section 131 of Title 23, United States Code, as amended from time to time. The Department shall take such steps as may be necessary from time to time to obtain from the United States, the appropriate agency thereof, funds allotted and appropriated under that Section, for the purpose of paying the federal share of the just compensation to be paid to sign owners and owners of real property under the terms of subsection (g) of that Section 131 and under this Act. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/13

(225 ILCS 440/13) (from Ch. 121, par. 513) Sec. 13. If any provision of this Act or application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity does not affect other provisions or application of this Act which can be given effect without the invalid application or provisions, and to this end the provisions of this Act are declared to be severable. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/14

(225 ILCS 440/14) (from Ch. 121, par. 514) Sec. 14. Nothing contained in this Act shall change, alter or otherwise affect the power of the Department to provide for the preservation of the natural beauty of areas through which highways are constructed as provided by Section 4-201.15 of the "Illinois Highway Code", approved June 8, 1959, as amended, including, but not limited to, removal of signs under that Code. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)

225 ILCS 440/14.1 Applicability

(225 ILCS 440/14.1) Sec. 14.1. Applicability. The changes made to this Act by Public Act 98-56 shall not be applicable if the application would impact the receipt, use, or reimbursement of federal funds by the Illinois Department of Transportation other than the reimbursement of Bonus Agreement funds. Any permit granted pursuant to an inapplicable provision is void. (Source: P.A. 98-56, eff. 7-5-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

225 ILCS 440/14.01

(225 ILCS 440/14.01) (from Ch. 121, par. 514.01) Sec. 14.01. The Department shall adopt rules regarding implementation and enforcement of this Act, which rules are not inconsistent with the terms of this Act; provided however, that the Department shall not add to, or increase the severity of the regulatory standards set forth in Section 6 of this Act. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is hereby expressly adopted and incorporated herein as if all of the provisions of such Act were included in this Act. For the purposes of this Act, the notice required under Section 10-25 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is deemed sufficient when mailed to the address of record of a party. (Source: P.A. 104-199, eff. 8-15-25.)

225 ILCS 440/14.02

(225 ILCS 440/14.02) Sec. 14.02. Scenic byways; nomination. (a) The Department shall limit its nominations for national designation of scenic byways to roads or highways that: (1) possess any of 6 intrinsic qualities as specified by the United States Department of Transportation, including scenic beauty, natural quality, historic quality, cultural quality, archeological quality, or recreational quality; (2) accommodate 2-wheel drive automobiles and, wherever feasible, bicycle and pedestrian travel; (3) are the subject of a complete corridor management plan consistent with requirements of the United States Department of Transportation and developed with community involvement, which provides for the conservation and enhancement of the byway's intrinsic qualities as well as promotion of tourism and economic development; (4) are the subject of written notice of pending nomination given by a unit of local government of appropriate jurisdiction to businesses and property owners to be directly affected by national designation, which notice shall include the opportunity to submit written comments to the local government; and (5) do not include sections of primary or Interstate highways that, at the time of nomination, traverse business areas, unless the Department determines that any such section possesses one or more intrinsic qualities in such exceptional measure as to merit nomination for national designation. (b) Before forwarding a nomination to the United States Department of Transportation, the Department may request the appropriate unit of local government to conduct a public hearing if it is determined that sufficient numbers of property owners and businesses may be affected adversely by national designation. (c) The Department may request the United States Department of Transportation to de-designate all or part of a scenic byway (i) if it is determined that the intrinsic qualities that led to designation no longer exist, (ii) if the approved corridor management plan is not being implemented in accordance with its provisions, or (iii) in the event of termination of the national scenic byways program or the absence of Congressional authorization for funding of that program. Before making such request, the Department or the appropriate unit of local government petitioning for de-designation shall hold a public hearing for the purpose of obtaining public comment on the proposed de-designation. (Source: P.A. 89-605, eff. 8-2-96.)

225 ILCS 440/15

(225 ILCS 440/15) Sec. 15. "An Act relating to the restriction, prohibition, regulation, and control of billboards and other outdoor advertising devices on certain lands adjacent to National System of Interstate and Defense Highways in Illinois", approved June 28, 1965, is repealed. (Source: P.A. 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

225 ILCS 440/16

(225 ILCS 440/16) (from Ch. 121, par. 516) Sec. 16. This Act takes effect July 1, 1972. (Source: P.A. 77-1815.)
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.aspFetched: 10/17/2026

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