Chapter 23 - Traffic
Division 1 - Definitions and General Provisions

[ Previous ] [ Code ] [ Up ] [ Next ]

SEC. 23.1-1 DEFINITIONS. Whenever in this chapter the following terms are used, they shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this Section:

Alley. A public way within a block generally giving access to the rear of lots or buildings, and not used for general traffic circulation.

All Terrain Vehicle. Any motorized off highway device designed to travel primarily off highway 50 inches or less in width (unless otherwise approved by the Public Works Director) having a manufacturer’s dry weight of 900 pounds or less traveling on 3 or more low pressure tires designed with a seat or saddle for operator use and handle bars or steering wheel for steering control except equipment such as lawnmowers. (Added 7/5/06 by Ord. No. 5090)

Authorized Governmental Vehicle. Any of the following vehicles clearly marked as owned or operated by any Illinois governmental agency including but not limited to the State of Illinois, Illinois units of local government and Illinois school districts but only when used by the operator for official governmental business:

1. All terrain vehicles with or without a trailer.
2. Trucksters with or without a trailer.
3. Electric personal assistive mobility devices.
   (Added 7/5/06 by Ord. No. 5090)

Bicycle Lane. A portion of a street, highway, alley, parkway or roadway which is designated by ordinance to be used principally by persons riding bicycles and which said portion is marked as a bicycle lane by the use of a double solid painted "international orange" line. (Amended 4/7/75)

Bicycles. Every device propelled by human power, upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, either of which is more than 20 inches in diameter.

Business District. The territory of any city, village or incorporated town contiguous to and including a highway, when within any 600 feet along such highway, there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including but not limited to hotels, banks or office buildings, railroad stations and public buildings which occupy at least 300 feet of frontage on one side or 300 feet collectively on both sides of the highway.

Controlled Access Highway. Every street or highway in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same except at such points only as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over such street or highway.

Crosswalk. That portion of the roadway included within the prolongation of the sidewalk lines at street intersections.

Domestic Utility Trailer. A single-axle trailer used for domestic or recreational purposes only and not exceeding any of the following dimensions: six (6) feet in width; twelve (12) feet in length or eight (8) feet in height. No domestic utility trailer may be used for business or commercial purposes. (Added 7/15/02 by Ord. No. 4804)

Drag Racing. The act of 2 or more individuals competing or racing on any street or highway in this State in a situation in which one of the motor vehicles is beside or to the rear of a motor vehicle operated by a competing driver and the one driver attempts to prevent the competing driver from passing or overtaking him, either by acceleration or maneuver, or against time on any street or highway in this Town.

Drivers. Every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.

Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device. A self-balancing two non-tandem wheeled device designed to transport only 1 person with an electric propulsion system that limits the maximum speed of the device to 15 miles per hour or less. (Added 7/5/06 by Ord. No. 5090)

Emergency Vehicle. Police vehicles, vehicles of the fire department, ambulances, vehicles carrying a state, county or municipal officer or employee in response to an emergency call, and emergency vehicles of public service corporations on an emergency call.

Explosive. Any chemical compound or mechanical mixture that is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion and which contains any oxidizing and combustive units or other ingredients in such proportions, quantities or packing that an ignition by fire, by friction, by concussion, by precussion or by a detonator of any part of the compound or mixture may cause such a sudden generation of highly heated gases that the resultant gaseous pressures are capable of producing destructible effects on contiguous objects or of destroying life or limb.

Flammable Liquids. Any liquid which has a flash point of 70 degrees F. or less, as determined by tagliabue or equivalent closed cup test device.

Hard Surface. Hard surface means an asphalt or concrete surface of an approved thickness, or other approved surface, but excluding rock, gravel, grass or dirt. (Added 12/17/01 by Ord. No. 4759 – Effective 4/1/02)

Improved Highway. A roadway of concrete, brick, asphalt, macadam or gravel.

Intersection.

1. The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two highways which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different roadways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
    

2. Where a highway includes two roadways 40 feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of such divided highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection.

Laned Roadway. A street, the roadway of which is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.

Loading Zone. The space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.

Major Recreational Equipment. Major recreational equipment means travel trailers (a vehicular, portable structure built on a chassis, designed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational or vacation uses, or one permanently identified as a Travel Trailer by the manufacturer of the trailer); Pick-up Coaches (a structure designed to be mounted on a truck chassis for use as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreation and vacation); Motor-homes (a portable, temporary dwelling to be used for travel, recreation and vacation, constructed as an integral part of a self-propelled vehicle); Camping trailers (a canvas, material or metal folding structure, mounted on wheels, designed for travel, recreation and vacation use); boats, snowmobiles; jet skis; all-terrain vehicles (ATV); dirt bikes; golf carts; and trailers holding boats, snowmobiles, jet skis, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), dirt bikes or golf carts. (Added 12/17/01 by Ord. No. 4759 – Effective 4/1/02)(Amended 7/15/02 by Ord. No. 4804)

Merging Traffic. A maneuver executed by the drivers of vehicles on converging roadways to permit simultaneous or alternate entry into the junction thereof, wherein the driver of each vehicle involved in required to adjust his vehicular speed and lateral position so as to avoid a collision with any other vehicle.

Metal Tires. Every tire the surface of which in contact with the roadway is wholly or partially of metal or other hard, nonresilient material.

Motor Driven Cycle. Every motorcycle and every motor scooter with less than 150 cubic centimeter piston displacement including motorized pedal cycles. (Added 8/4/86)

Motorcycle. Every motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designated to travel on not more than 3 wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.

Motor Vehicle. Every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead wires, but not operated upon rails.

Park. To stand a vehicle, whether occupied or not, for a period of time greater than is reasonably necessary for the actual loading or unloading of persons.

Parking Meter. A mechanical device located upon a public street or sidewalk in a place designated by the Town Council as a parking meter zone, hereafter defined, which device shall record a certain number of minutes by use of a clock mechanism determining the period of time for which parking privileges may be extended to the person depositing a coin therein.

Parking Meter Zone. Parking meter zones shall be such as may from time to time be established by ordinance and the area designated by the Town Council where a vehicle may be temporarily parked or allowed to remain for the period of time indicated on the meter.

Parkway. All that area within a street right-of-way between a curb and the right-of-way line, or where no curb exists, between the improved street edge line and the right-of-way line. (Amended 8/1/83)

Pedestrian. Any person afoot.

Pneumatic Tire. Every tire in which compressed air is designed to support the load.

Police or Police Officer. All members of the regularly constituted police department, special police, auxiliary police and marshals duly constituted and appointed by proper authorities of the Town.

Property Line. The line marking the boundary between any street and the lots or property abutting thereon.

Public Building. A building used by the municipality, the county, any park district, school district, the State of Illinois or the United States government.

Residence District. The territory of any city, village or incorporated town contiguous to and including a highway not comprising a business district when the property on such highway for a distance of 300 feet or more is in the main improved with residences or residences and buildings in use for business.

Reversible Lane. A lane or a two or more laned roadway upon which traffic may be directed to more in either direction by means of lane-control signals or other devices in conjunction with official signs.

Right-of-way. The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.

Road Tractor. Every motor vehicle designed and used for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry any load thereon either independently or any part of the weight of a vehicle or load so drawn.

Safety Zone. The area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which is protected or so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.

School Bus. Every motor vehicle of the second division operated by or for a public or governmental agency or by or for a private or religious organization solely for the transportation of pupils in connection with school activities.

Semi-Trailer. Every vehicle without motive power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle.

Sidewalk. That portion of a street between the curb line or roadway and the adjacent property line designed for pedestrian use.

Solid Tire. Every tire of rubber or other resilient material which does not depend upon compressed air for the support of the load.

Speed-Change Lane. An auxiliary lane, including tapered areas, primarily for the acceleration or deceleration of vehicles entering or leaving the through traffic lanes.

Street or Highway. The entire width between property lines of every way or place of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public, as a matter of right, for the purpose of vehicular traffic.

Suburban District. That portion of any city, village or incorporated town other than the business and residence districts.

Through Highway. Every highway or portion thereof at the entrance to which vehicular traffic from intersecting highways is required by law to stop before entering or crossing the same and when stop signs are erected as provided by this Chapter.

Traffic. Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles and other conveyances whether singly or together while using any highway for the purpose of travel.

Trailer. Every vehicle without motive power designed for carrying passengers or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle. (Amended 12/17/01 by Ord. No. 4759, Effective 4/1/02)

Truckster. Every motor vehicle or motorcycle with 3 wheels designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of people or property. (Added 7/5/06 by Ord. No. 5090)

Truck Tractor. Every motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn.

Urban District. The territory contiguous to and including any street which is built up with structures devoted to business, industry or dwelling houses situated at intervals of less than 100 feet for a distance of a quarter mile or more.

Vehicle. Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

For the purpose of this Chapter, motor vehicles as a class shall be divided into two divisions, viz:

First: Those vehicles which are designed for the carrying of not more than ten persons.

Second: Those vehicles which are designed for pulling or carrying freight or the carrying of more than ten persons.

Yard. A yard is an open space, on the same lot with a building or structure, unoccupied and unobstructed from its lowest level to the sky, except as otherwise permitted in SEC. 15.4-5 of this Code. (Added 7/15/02 by Ord. No. 4804)

Yard, Front. A front yard is that yard, required or otherwise, extending along the full length of the front lot line between the side lot lines from the front line of the building or structure to the front lot line. (Added 7/15/02 by Ord. No. 4804)

Yard, Rear. A rear yard is that yard, required or otherwise, extending along the full length of the rear lot line between the side lot lines from the rear line of the building or structure to the rear property line. (Added 7/15/02 by Ord. No. 4804)

Yard, Side. A side yard is that yard, required or otherwise, extending along the side yard between the front yard and the rear yard from the side line of the building or structure to the side property line. (Added 7/15/02 by Ord. No. 4804)

Yard, Corner Side. A corner side yard is that area between the setback lines, the side lot line, and rear lot line, which area faces the street. (Added 7/15/02 by Ord. No. 4804)

Yard, Interior Side. An interior side yard which is located immediately adjacent to another lot or to any alley separating such side yard from another lot. (Added 7/15/02 by Ord. No. 4804)

Yield Right-of-Way. When required by an official sign means the act of granting the privilege of the immediate use of the intersecting roadway to traffic within the intersection and to vehicles approaching from the right or left, provided that when the roadway is clear the vehicle may proceed into the intersection.

SEC. 23.1-2 OBEDIENCE TO POLICE. Members of the police department, special police, auxiliary police and marshals assigned to traffic duty are hereby authorized to direct all traffic in accordance with the provisions of this division, or in emergencies as public safety or convenience may require, and it shall be unlawful for any person to fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order, signal or direction of a policeman. Except in case of emergency, it shall be unlawful for any person not authorized by law to direct or attempt to direct traffic.

SEC.23.1-3 SCENE OF FIRE. The fire department officer in command or any fireman designated by him, may exercise the powers and authority of a policeman in directing traffic at the scene of any fire or where the fire department has responded to an emergency call for so long as the fire department equipment is on the scene in the absence of or in assisting the police.

SEC. 23.1-4 INTERFERENCE WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to stand or be in or on the streets at the time of a fire, or while the firemen and the fire department are moving to or from or are engaged in fighting a fire in said Town, in such a manner or location, with or without an automobile or other conveyance, so as to willfully or negligently impede the progress of such firemen or their moving of fire apparatus of any kind, or interfere with or molest the firemen or any of them in the performance of his or their several duties or undertaking during a fire or call to a fire; and that every person or persons on the street or elsewhere in said Town at the time of a fire alarm shall give right-of-way to the firemen and the transportation or location of the firemen on duty or call while going to or coming from a fire, and also to the fire fighting apparatus.

The firemen on duty at the time of a fire alarm and/or while fighting a fire hereby are made officers of said Town with police power to enforce this division and all such persons in said Town are amenable to their orders and directions.

It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or run any vehicle over or across any line of firehouse, or to bring any vehicle on any street between a hydrant to which a hose is attached, and a fire; or to follow the fire truck or other vehicular fire apparatus in route to or from a fire, within a distance of 300 feet thereof. Upon the sound of the fire gong, all vehicular traffic of the Town shall at once turn to the right, and stop at the side of the street so as to furnish a clear right-of-way to said firemen with such fire apparatus.

SEC. 23.1-5 SIGNS AND SIGNALS. It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to disobey the instructions of any traffic sign or signal placed in view by authority of the corporate authorities or in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, excepting on direction of a police officer. All signs, signals, traffic markings, controls, crossings, bicycle facilities, islands and similar devices used to regulate traffic on the public ways established by direction of the governing body shall conform to the Illinois Department of Transportation Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, October, 1979, as amended. (Amended 1/21/80)

SEC. 23.1-6 TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL LEGEND. Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting the words “Go”, “Caution” or “Stop”, or exhibiting different colored lights successively, the following colors only shall be used and said terms and lights shall indicate as follows:

1. Circular Green or the Word “Go”.
    
   1. Vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. But vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection at the time such signal is exhibited.
       
   2. Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk, unless directed otherwise by a pedestrian signal.
       
2. Steady Yellow or the Word “Caution”.
    
   1. Vehicular traffic facing the signal is thereby warned that the red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter or the related green movement is being terminated, and shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at the intersection, but if such stop cannot be made in safety, a vehicle may be driven cautiously through the intersection.
       
   2. Unless otherwise directed by pedestrian signal, pedestrians facing such signal are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway, and no pedestrian shall cross except upon a green light or go sign.
       
3. Steady Red or the Word “Stop”.
    
   1. Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at such other point as may be indicated by a clearly visible line; if there is no such line, then vehicles shall stop before entering such crosswalk and shall remain standing until the green indication is shown, unless otherwise directed by a sign or arrow.
       
   2. No pedestrian facing such signal shall enter the roadway, shall cross until receiving a green light or go sign or unless a separate “Walk” indication is shown.
       
4. Green Straight Through Arrow (alone).
    
   1. Vehicular traffic facing such signal may proceed straight through, but shall not turn right or left. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection at the time such signal is exhibited.
       
   2. Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within the appropriately marked or unmarked crosswalk unless directed otherwise by a pedestrian signal.
       
5. Green Turn Arrow (along or with circular green, with steady yellow, with steady red or with green straight through arrow).
    
   1. Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall comply with the meaning of the circular green steady yellow or straight through arrow indication as if it were shown alone, except that such vehicular traffic may cautiously enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the green turn arrow. Vehicular traffic shall yield right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
       
6. In the event that an official traffic control signal or flashing red signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section or SEC. 23.1-7 shall be applicable except as to provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.
    
7. The motorman of any street car shall obey the above signals applicable to vehicles.
    
8. Green Arrow Alone.
    
   1. Vehicular traffic facing the signal may enter the intersection only to make the movement or movements indicated by the arrows, but shall not interfere with other traffic or endanger pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk.
       
9. In the event an official traffic control signal or flashing red signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provision 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 sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.

SEC. 23.1-7 FLASHING SIGNALS. Whenever flashing red or yellow signals are used, they shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:

1. Flashing Red (stop sign).
    
   1. When a red lens is illuminated by rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a limit line when marked, or if none, then before entering the intersection and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
       
2. Flashing Yellow (caution signal).
    
   1. When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with caution.

SEC. 23.1-8 LANE CONTROL SIGNALS. Whenever lane control signals are used in conjunction with official signs, they shall have the following meaning:

1. Opaque arrows on green, green arrow on opaque background or green alone. Drivers of vehicles facing such signals are permitted to use the lanes over which the signal is displayed providing that no intersection traffic control signal gives a stop indication affecting the lane or lanes involved.
    
2. Opaque “X” on red, red “X” on opaque background or red alone. Drivers of vehicles facing such signals are prohibited from using the lane over which the signal is displayed.

SEC. 23.1-9 PEDESTRIAN CONTROL SIGNALS. Whenever special pedestrian control signals exhibiting the words “Walk” or “Don’t Walk” are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows:

1. Walk – pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the driver of all vehicles.
    
2. Don’t Walk – while the “Don’t Walk” signal is illuminated, either steady or flashing, no pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partly completed his crossing during the “Walk” indication shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island, if one is provided.

SEC. 23.1-10 UNAUTHORIZED SIGNS. No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any street any unauthorized sign, signal, marking, light, reflector 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, nor shall any person place, maintain or display upon or in view of any street or other sign which hides from view or interferes with the movement of traffic or effectiveness of any traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal and no person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway any traffic sign bearing thereon any commercial advertising. (Revised 9/3/74)

All such unauthorized devices are hereby declared to be nuisances and may be removed by any policeman or under his direction and supervision.

SEC. 23.1-11 INTERFERENCE WITH SIGNS OR SIGNALS. It shall be unlawful for any person to deface, injure, move or interfere with any official traffic signal.

SEC. 23.1-12 ADVERTISING SIGNS. It shall be unlawful to maintain anywhere in the Town any sign, signal, marking or device, other than a traffic sign or signal authorized by the Town Council or the Illinois State Department of Public Works and Buildings, which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, in view of any street or highway, and it shall be unlawful to place or maintain any sign which hides from view any lawful traffic-control device.

It shall be unlawful to maintain or operate in view of any street or highway any flashing or rotating beacon of light.

SEC. 23.1-13 AMBULANCES, OPERATION OF. No person shall operate an ambulance, which shall include any motor vehicle primarily designed and used for conveyance of sick or injured persons, in a manner not conforming to a provision of the motor vehicle laws and regulations of this State or ordinances of this Town as such provision applies to motor vehicles in general, except in compliance with the following conditions:

1. The person operating the ambulance shall be either responding to a bona fide emergency call or specifically directed by a licensed physician to disregard traffic laws in operating the ambulance during and for the purpose of the specific trip or journey that is involved.
    
2. The ambulance shall be equipped with a siren producing an audible signal of an intensity of 100 decibels at a distance of 50 feet from said siren, and with a lamp emitting an oscillating, rotating or flashing red beam directed in part toward the front of the vehicle and containing a power rating of at least 100 amps.
    
3. The aforesaid siren and lamp shall be in full operation at all times during such trip or journey.
    
4. Whenever the ambulance is operated at a speed in excess of 40 miles per hour, the ambulance shall be operated in complete conformance with every other motor vehicle law and regulation of this State and ordinances of this Town in which the ambulance is operated, relating to the operation of motor vehicles, as such provision applies to motor vehicles in general, except laws and regulations pertaining to compliance with official traffic-control devices or to vehicular operation upon the right half of the roadway.

SEC. 23.1-14 ANIMALS. Any person riding an animal or driving any animal drawing a vehicle upon any street shall be subject to the provisions of this Chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions which have no application to one riding or driving an animal. (Amended 4/7/75)

SEC. 23.1-15 EXEMPTIONS. The provisions of this division regulating the movements or parking of vehicles shall not apply to the driver of any authorized emergency vehicle when responding to an emergency call, but such driver when approaching shall slow down as necessary for safety but may proceed cautiously past a red or stop sign or signal. At other times, drivers of authorized emergency vehicles shall stop in obedience to a stop sign or signal.

No driver of any authorized emergency vehicle shall assume any special privileges except when such vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law.

The provisions of this division regulating the movement and parking of vehicles shall not apply to persons, equipment or vehicles while actually engaged in installing, repairing or otherwise improving streets or street pavements.