Most states have very different laws regarding the usage of stickers and other obstructive objects placed on the windshield of cars. Sticker usage is most commonly seen on company cars looking to advertise their brand or product, and street racers and similar car enthusiasts who enjoy aftermarket tuning of their cars.

Placement of windshield and other window stickers is regulated by vehicle equipment laws in Illinois, so be sure to read the following rules before you place any stickers on car windows.

Illinois window sticker laws

Illinois does not allow any materials or objects attached to windows which obstruct or reduce driver’s clear view of the road.

Illinois window sticker laws does not specifically prohibit using window stickers, and the law does not further specify what constitutes as “materially obstructing driver’s view“. This essentially means that all stickers which are not required by law are potentially illegal on front and back windshield, but also on front and even back side windows.

If you place window stickers, ensure they are small and placed in corners, preferably on passenger’s side. Technically all stickers can potentially “reduce” your clear view of the road, therefore an overeager police officers may still issue a citation for any non-mandatory window stickers, claiming your vision of the road is reduced or impaired.

Based on Illinois window tint laws, you can likely install a strip or sticker on top of your front windshield which may extend no more than top 6 inches.

Relevant laws: Illinois Compiled Statutes, Sec. 12-503

Below are relevant excerpts from Illinois Vehicle Code, Chapter 12 (Equipment of Vehicles), Article V (Glass, Windshields and Mirrors) (link).

(a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle with any sign, poster, window application, reflective material, nonreflective material or tinted film upon the front windshield, except that a nonreflective tinted film may be used along the uppermost portion of the windshield if such material does not extend more than 6 inches […]

(c) No person shall drive a motor vehicle with any objects placed or suspended between the driver and the front windshield, rear window, side wings or side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver which materially obstructs the driver’s view.

(d) […] no person shall drive a motor vehicle with snow, ice, moisture or other material on any of the windows or mirrors, which materially obstructs the driver’s clear view of the highway.

(e) No person shall drive a motor vehicle when the windshield, side or rear windows are in such defective condition or repair as to materially impair the driver’s view to the front, side or rear.

Window sticker penalties

Driving with an obstructed windshield in Illinois is considered a traffic infraction. Exact fine can vary depending on each case and severity, as well as other potential violations of Illinois laws.