Mufflers/Exhaust Systems in IL?

[libertyforall1776]

I doubt most people have ever seen this IL Vehicle Code section, but it sure puts a damper on probably most cars on this forum...

Sure seems void for vagueness, as how could someone get ticketed if a sound decibel measurement was not taken for the current system and comparison decibel levels of an original system? This would be so very subjective, and make a lot of what performance shops like Speed Inc. do unavailable...

I guess this is the perfect question for Lawdog


(625 ILCS 5/12‑602) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑602)
Sec. 12‑602. Mufflers, prevention of noise.
Every motor vehicle driven or operated upon the highways of this State shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler or exhaust system in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise. No such muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass or similar device. No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise of such vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle, and such original muffler shall comply with all the requirements of this Section.
(Source: P. A. 77‑37.)

625 ILCS 5/ Illinois Vehicle Code. :: 2010 Illinois Code :: US Codes and Statutes :: US Law :: Justia

[DarkSS]

I don't think this is new. Who cares?

[svtjackal]

old news!!! who cares is right,

[huggerorange73]

ZOMG !!!!!! We're all going to jail!

We've all seen it already...don't you have an iPad to "mount" or something?

[HumanWiki]

That's pretty much a default ordinance that's on the books for things like a probable cause pull over..

I can tell you, living right along the I-10 corridor in Beaumont, Tx (that's quite the major traffic point between W/E Coasts) that there are more times than I can count that the LEOs will use things like that one, no touching the white lines without intent and signaling to pull off the road, or the lane change w/o signaling as an excuse to pull over a suspected drug/contraband runner. They would also use it on people they generally knew to be members of certain gangs or general trouble makers. That's their first reason to stop them, then while they're stopped, the LEO has all the time he/she needs to "look them over" for further reason to detain/search.

I'm sure there are some LEOs that will pull people over for this issue, but I'd be willing to bet they only use that as an excuse if you're being a general ass..

Not once with this car, my GTO here in Illinois -- Or any of my other long list of loud-ass vehicles in Texas, have I ever been stopped for an exhaust violation. In Texas, we even had LEOs that were part of the TxDOT system that would pull over Hot Rods all the time to check for things like Tint below the AS-1 line, No Cats on certain model cars, Tread Depth, DOT legal tires, Evap/PCV/AIR systems on cars, etc.. But, you had to be doing something stupid to get their attention -- like, stop light racing, burn outs, etc. or have a car that sounded/smelled like a top fuel dragster.

Besides. I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one to challenge the sound of my car at speed, or during legal acceleration against any type of Hog, Harley, etc. They're much more annoying than my exhaust.

[Toasty]

Also gives a reason for them to pull over cars with busted mufflers... Dont ask me how I know...

[TonyNo]