(A) 
The driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any official traffic-control accordance with this chapter, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, subject to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle in this traffic code.
(B) 
It is unlawful for any person to leave the roadway and travel across private property to avoid an official traffic-control device.
(C) 
No provision of this traffic code, for which official traffic-control devices are required, shall be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged violation an official device is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person. Whenever a particular section does not state that official traffic-control devices are required, the section shall be effective even though no devices are erected or in place.
(D) 
Whenever any official traffic-control device is placed or held in position approximately con-forming to the requirements of this traffic code, the device shall be presumed to have been so placed or held by the official act or direction of lawful authority, and comply with the requirements of this traffic code, unless the contrary shall be established by competent evidence.
(E) 
The driver of a vehicle approaching a traffic-control signal on which no signal light facing the vehicle is illuminated shall stop before entering the intersection, in accordance with rules applicable in making a stop at a stop sign.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-305)
Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting different colored lights or color lighted arrows, successively one at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red, and yellow shall be used, except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word legend, and the lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:
(A) 
Green indication.
(1) 
Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. Vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited.
(2) 
Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the arrow, or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
(3) 
Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal, as provided in § 70.32, pedestrians facing any green signal, except when the sole green signal is a turn arrow, may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
(B) 
Steady yellow indication.
(1) 
Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter.
(2) 
Pedestrians facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in § 70.32, are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown, and no pedestrian shall then start to cross the roadway.
(C) 
Steady red indication.
(1) 
Except as provided in division (C)(3) of this section, vehicular traffic facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if there is no such stop line, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no such crosswalk, then before entering the intersection; and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown.
(2) 
Except as provided in division (C)(3) of this section, vehicular traffic facing a steady red arrow signal shall not enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the arrow and, unless entering the intersection to make a movement permitted by another signal, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if there is no such stop line, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no such crosswalk, then before entering the intersection; and shall remain standing until an indication permitting the movement indicated by such red arrow is shown.
(3) 
Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn and the city authorities by ordinance or state authorities by rule or regulation prohibit any such turn, vehicular traffic facing any steady red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to turn right, or to turn left from a one-way street into a one-way street, after stopping as required by division (C)(1) or (C)(2) of this section. After stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction or roadways. The driver shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk.
(4) 
Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in § 70.32, pedestrians facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal alone shall not enter the roadway.
(D) 
In the event an official traffic-control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section shall be applicable except as to provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be at a traffic sign or a marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made; or, in the absence of such sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-306)
Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words "Walk" or "Don't Walk" or the illuminated symbols of a walking person or an upraised palm are in place, these signals shall indicate as follows:
(A) 
"Walk"
or walking person symbol. Pedestrians facing this signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal, and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles.
(B) 
"Don't Walk"
or upraised palm signal. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of this signal, but any pedestrian who has partly completed his crossing on the "Walk" signal or upraised palm symbol shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the "Don't Walk" signal or upraised palm symbol is illuminated, steady, or flashing.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-307)
Whenever lane-control signals are used in conjunction with official signs, they shall have the following meanings:
(A) 
Downward-pointing green arrow. A driver facing this indication is permitted to drive in the lane over which the arrow signal is located. Otherwise, he shall obey all other traffic controls present and follow normal safe driving practices.
(B) 
Red X symbol. A driver facing this indication shall not drive in the lane over which the signal is located, and this indication shall modify accordingly the meaning of all other traffic controls present. Otherwise he shall obey all other traffic controls, and follow normal safe driving practices.
(C) 
Yellow X (steady). A driver facing this indication should prepare to vacate the lane over which the signal is located, in a safe manner to avoid, if possible, occupying that lane when a steady red X is displayed.
(D) 
Flashing yellow arrow. A driver facing this indication may use the lane only for the purpose of approaching and making a left turn.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-308)
Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow signal is used in conjunction with a traffic-control device, it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:
(A) 
Flashing red (stop signal). When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then at a point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
(B) 
Flashing yellow (caution signal). When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past the signal only with caution.
(C) 
This section does not apply at railroad grade crossings.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-309)
(A) 
No person shall place, maintain, or display upon or in view of any highway any unauthorized sign, signal, marking, or device which purports to be, or is an imitation of, or resembles an official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the movement of traffic or the effectiveness of an official traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal.
(B) 
No person shall place or maintain, nor shall any public authority permit, upon any highway any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising.
(C) 
Every such prohibited sign, signal, or marking is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, and the authority having jurisdiction over the highway is hereby empowered to remove the same, or cause it to be removed without notice.
(D) 
No person shall sell or offer for sale any traffic-control device to be used on any street or highway in this city which does not conform to the requirements of this chapter.
(E) 
This section shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent to high-ways of signs giving useful directional information, and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs.
(F) 
This section shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection of Illinois Adopt-A-Highway signs by the city as provided in the Illinois Adopt-A-Highway Act, ILCS Ch. 605, Act 120, §§ 1 et seq.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-310)
(A) 
No person shall, without lawful authority, attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down, or remove any official traffic-control device, or any railroad sign or signal or any inscription, shield, or insignia thereon, or any other part thereof.
(B) 
Every person who is convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of at least $250 in addition to any other penalties which may be imposed.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-311)
(A) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully injure or damage any public highway or street, or any bridge or culvert, or to willfully damage, injure, or remove any sign, signpost, or structure upon or used or constructed in connection with any public highway or street for the protection thereof, or for the protection or regulation of traffic thereon, by any willfully unusual, improper, or unreasonable use thereof, or by willfully careless driving or use of any vehicle thereon, or by willful mutilation, defacing, destruction, or removal thereof.
(B) 
Every person who is convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of at least $250 in addition to any other penalty which may be imposed.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-312)
The City Street Department, with reference to traffic-control signs, signals, or markers owned by the city, is authorized to indicate the ownership of the signs, signals, or markers on the back of the devices in letters not less than 3/8 inch, or more than 3/4 inch in height, by use of a metal stamp, etching, or other permanent means. Except for employees of the City Street Department, police officers, contractors and their employees engaged in a highway construction contract or work on the highway approved by the city, it is unlawful for any person to possess a sign, signal, or marker so identified.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-313)
Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating a zone of quiet, no person operating a motor vehicle within the zone shall sound the horn or other warning device except in an emergency.
Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right or left or U-turn is permitted no driver of a vehicle shall disobey the directions of the sign. When authorized marks, buttons, or other indications are placed within an intersection indicating the course to be traveled by vehicles, no driver of a vehicle shall disobey the directions of the indications.
(A) 
Preferential right-of-way at an intersection may be indicated by stop signs or yield signs as authorized in ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-302.
(B) 
Except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic-control signal, every driver of a vehicle and every motorman of a streetcar approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersection roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection.
(C) 
The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign if required for safety to stop shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.
(ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-1204)
(A) 
Traffic violations.
(1) 
Generally. Whoever violates any provision of this traffic code for which another penalty is not already otherwise provided by ordinance or by appropriate statutory penalty as generally set forth in ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, §§ 16-101 et seq. shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $750.
(2) 
School buses. In addition to the suspensions authorized by ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-1414, any person convicted of violating § 71.045 shall be subject to a mandatory fine of $150, or upon a second or subsequent violation $500. (ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-1414(f))
(3) 
Special speed limits. A violation of § 71.002 shall be a petty offense with a minimum fine of $150. (ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-605(e))
(B) 
Parking violations. Any person accused of a violation of any provision of this traffic code prohibiting parking a vehicle in a designated area, or restricting the length of time a vehicle may be there parked, or parking in a metered area without putting a coin in the meter to cover the required time, may settle and compromise the claim against him for such illegal parking by paying to the city $3 for each such offense if paid within five days, or $10 if paid within 21 days. Such payment may be made at the police station, a receipt shall be issued for all money so received, and such money shall be promptly turned over to the City Treasurer to be credited to the General Fund. The members of the Police Department are hereby authorized to refrain from instituting a prosecution for the alleged offense involved. This section shall not apply to persons parking a vehicle so as to obstruct the entrance or exit of any place where Police or Fire Department apparatus or other emergency equipment is kept or housed, or so as to block an emergency entrance in a hospital; nor shall this section apply to any person charged with parking a vehicle so as to entirely obstruct traffic in any street or alley, or parking in such a way as to reduce traffic on an arterial street to one-way traffic only; nor to any person who refuses to move a vehicle illegally parked at the request of any member of the Police Department.
(C) 
Railroad crossing violations.
(1) 
Vehicles at crossings. It is unlawful to violate any part of § 71.080. A violation of § 71.080 is a petty offense for which a fine of $250 shall be imposed for a first violation, and a fine of $500 shall be imposed for a second or subsequent violation. The court may impose 25 hours of community service in place of the $250 fine for the first violation. For a second or subsequent violation, the Secretary of State may suspend the driving privileges of the offender for a minimum of six months. (ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-1201(e))
(2) 
Pedestrians at crossings. A violation of any part of § 74.12 is a petty offense for which a $250 fine shall be imposed for a first violation, and a $500 fine shall be imposed for a second or subsequent violation. The court may impose 25 hours of community service in place of the $250 fine for a first violation. (ILCS Ch. 625, Act 5, § 11-1011(d))