- In Illinois, drivers are generally allowed to make a right turn on red after coming to a complete stop, unless there is a posted sign prohibiting the maneuver.
- Drivers must always yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic before turning right on red.
- A right turn on red is not permitted when a red arrow is displayed; turning right on a red arrow is a traffic violation.
Key Points for 2025
1. Default Rule: Right on Red Allowed
- For nearly 50 years, Illinois has permitted right turns on red lights after a full stop, unless otherwise posted.
- This rule was originally adopted in the 1970s to reduce fuel consumption and vehicle idling.
2. Local Restrictions and Signage
- Local authorities in Illinois can override the state rule by passing ordinances or posting signs that prohibit right turns on red at specific intersections.
- Always look for “No Turn on Red” signs, especially in urban areas or near schools, parks, and zones with heavy pedestrian traffic.
3. Yielding Requirements
- Drivers must yield the right-of-way to:
- Pedestrians in crosswalks (marked or unmarked)
- Oncoming vehicles with the right-of-way
- Bicyclists and other roadway users
4. Red Arrow Rule
- A steady red arrow means no right turn is allowed in the direction of the arrow, regardless of traffic conditions or lack of signage.
Recent Developments and Proposed Changes
Growing Safety Concerns:
- Rising pedestrian fatalities have prompted calls to restrict or ban right turns on red, especially in dense urban areas.
- Chicago’s administration has announced plans to “restrict right turns on red,” but as of April 2025, no citywide ban or detailed policy has been implemented yet.
Other Cities and Trends:
- Some U.S. cities (e.g., Ann Arbor, Seattle, Washington D.C.) have enacted or are considering bans on right turns on red at certain intersections, especially near schools and in downtown areas.
- In Illinois, any changes to the rule would likely be implemented locally first, rather than as a statewide ban.
Table
| Situation | Right Turn on Red Allowed? |
|---|---|
| No sign, standard red light | Yes, after full stop & yielding |
| “No Turn on Red” sign posted | No |
| Red arrow displayed | No |
| Local ordinance prohibits at intersection | No |
| Pedestrian or vehicle in crosswalk/oncoming | No, must yield |
- Right turn on red remains legal in Illinois in 2025, with the standard requirements to stop and yield, unless a sign or red arrow prohibits it.
- Be alert for local restrictions, especially in Chicago and other cities considering new safety measures.
- Always yield to pedestrians and cross traffic before turning.
No statewide ban has taken effect yet, but discussions and local pilot programs may lead to more restrictions in the future.
Sources
- https://1440wrok.com/banning-right-turn-on-red-in-illinois-heres-why-it-could-happen/
- https://www.sjtpolaw.com/blog/2019/06/is-it-always-legal-to-turn-right-at-a-red-light/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_on_red
- https://1440wrok.com/will-illinois-ban-right-turn-on-red/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pedestrian-deaths-right-on-red-ban/
