Rear Lights are Required in Many Chicago Suburbs.

Most Chicago cyclists know that a white headlight and red rear reflector is required under Illinois State Law and the Chicago Municipal Ordinance. While Illinois State law does not specifically require a red rear light, many municipalities do require red taillights. Municipalities can require bicyclists to use equipment in addition to that which is required under Illinois Law, so if you are caught in such a municipality without required equipment you may be cited for a violation of the municipal code. Worse yet, if you are struck by a car and you don't have the required equipment you may be blamed for the collision.

The excerpts below are by no means a complete listing of suburbs that require front and rear lights. This list is not meant to be all inclusive, rather it is meant to illustrate the fact that if you are riding in the suburbs the best bet is to be sure your bike is equipped with a white front headlight, red rear light and red rear reflector.

Schaumburg Village Code Title 7 § 73.13 LIGHTS, HORNS, SIGNALS AND EQUIPMENT.

(A) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500') in the direction toward which the bicycle is proceeding and at least one lighted lamp mounted on the rear showing a red light visible for at least five hundred feet (500') to the rear. In lieu of such rear lighted red lamp, a red reflector button not less than one and one-half inches (1¹/₂") in diameter may be mounted securely on the rear and must be visible from at least five hundred feet (500') to the rear.

Lisle Village Code 10-6-3: EQUIPMENT:

(A) Lights: No bicycle shall be operated within the period from sunset to sunrise without having a properly lighted headlight attached to the front of the bicycle, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from the front thereof for a distance of not less than five hundred feet (500') nor without having a red light attached to the rear of the bicycle which is clearly visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500') from the rear.

Lyons Village Code 9-8-3: LIGHTS:

D. Bicycles: Every bicycle, when upon a street during the period from sunset to sunrise, shall be equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting a white light, or light of a yellow or amber tint, visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500') to the front of the bicycle and with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500') to the rear.

Streamwood Village Code 5-6-8: LIGHTED LAMPS AND AUDIBLE SIGNALING DEVICES:

A. Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a headlamp which shall emit a white light visible from a minimum distance of five hundred feet (500') from the front and with a rear red lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500') from the rear.

Bensenville Village Code 5-5-8: LIGHTS:

It shall be unlawful for any person to ride with a bicycle on the streets of the Village after dark without a headlight and taillight.