At Zayed Law Offices, our team has definitely handled some odd cases over the years, but we have yet to handle anything dealing with these strange Illinois laws. Nevertheless, the law is the law, so read on to learn more about some wacky laws that are still on the books in Illinois.
#1 Strange Illinois Law: Properly Addressing Bachelors
According to The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette, a boy in the United States may be addressed as “master” prior to the age of 12. However, several online sources indicate that Illinois state law requires that women address all unmarried men of any age as master instead of mister. Our team was unable to locate the exact statute for this law, but we assure you none of the unmarried men in our firm will press charges if you don’t call them master!
#2 Strange Illinois Law: No Smoking Pets
Chapter 510 of the Illinois General Assembly, better known as the Animal Control Act, makes it illegal to give a lit cigar to a dog or cat. We certainly understand the part of this law that prohibits smoking around domesticated pets as they should not suffer from second-hand smoke. However, it really seems that a fine cigar would be wasted on a household pet, so steer clear.
#3 Strange Illinois Law: No Wheelies
Some sources say that an Illinois state law prohibits “fancy bike riding,” but our team can’t locate that specific statute. We did uncover, however, a Mendota city ordinance stating, “No rider of a bicycle shall remove both hands from the handlebars, or feet from the pedals, or practice any acrobatic or fancy riding on any street.” You might want to take this law seriously to avoid a bike accident.
#4 Strange Illinois Law: Don’t Stick Your Tongue Out at a Dog
Another gem from the state’s Animal Control Act outlaws making funny faces at a dog. As dog bite injury lawyers, we actually agree with this weird law—don’t provoke strange dogs! As ridiculous as it might sound, egging on dogs can indeed lead to vicious attacks. We didn’t check the case law to see what constitutes “making faces,” so rolling your eyes may be OK. Feel free to contact us for legal advice on acceptable facial gestures you can make in front of Illinois dogs.
#5 Strange Illinois Law: No Bucket Drinking
In Pullman, Illinois, City Code 5.55.010 outlaws drinking alcohol from an open container in public. Fair enough. However, this city ordinance goes on to specify that you may not drink alcohol while seated on a curb or from a bucket. Clearly, a bucket is an open container as they don’t have lids, corks, or pop tops. Again, we didn’t check the case law here, but you might want to stay away from trough or barrel drinking in Pullman as well.
Some Illinois “Weird Laws” Are Fake News
There are a lot of pretty funny Illinois laws spreading around the internet that can not be substantiated.
Here are a few that we were not able to locate any actual statute for:
- It’s illegal to fish in pajamas in Chicago.
- Fishing on your wedding day is prohibited
- You can’t engage in sexual intercourse while hunting
- In Chicago, it’s illegal to take a French poodle to the opera.
- It’s forbidden to fish while sitting on a giraffe’s neck.
- Eating in a building that is on fire is illegal.
- In Mount Pulaski, girls may not throw snowballs.
Whether the law you need help with is “standard” or a bit off the wall, our team of Chicago personal injury attorneys is happy to help.
Contact the Chicago Personal Injury Law Firm of Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for Help Today
For more information, please contact the experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today. We offer free consultations.
We proudly serve Cook County, Will County, Kendall County, and its surrounding areas:
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Chicago Office
10 S La Salle St STE 1230, Chicago, IL 60603
Phone:(312) 726-1616
Hours: Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Chicago
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 41.8815493,-87.6327515
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Joliet Office
195 Springfield Ave, Joliet, IL 60435
Phone: (815) 726-1616
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Joliet
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 41.5254295,-88.1381011
