Regional Scanning Laws

[mfbenderjr]

I travel for work, usually down Milwaukee and Madison, however over the next few months I have trips planned to Minnesotta, Iowa and Illinos...I know Wisconsin laws do not restrict the use of scanners unless in the commission of a crime (a federal law as well), does anyone know laws for our surrounding states? I cant seem to find an UPDATED list or database anywhere...I would like to bring my portable with me...Also I have a mobile in the vehicle and really don't want to have to uninstall and reinstall it!

 

[OpSec]

Google is your friend, and don't forget the search feature on this site.

Restricted in MN
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/getpub.php?type=s&num=299C.37&year=2007

Unknown about IA, and I don't believe there is anything specific in IL.

 

[mfbenderjr]

Thanks SB, I will admit I was looking for an easy answer! But I will do more research on my own...

 

[N9JIG]

There was an attempt to limit some monitoring in Illinois earlier this year, the proposal would have banned rebroadcasting/streaming of StarCom21. This was modified by the author to only disallow cloning of StarCom21 radios at the behest of CARMA members, media and others. There was also an attempt years back to regulate scanners, this too was fought by CARMA members and others and never got out of committee.

The City of Chicago also attempted to regulate scanners, again scanner listeners rose up and the law that was passed prohibited using a scanner during the commission of a crime.

The upshot is that Illinois is still a scanner-friendly state, and we hope to keep it that way!

 

[tonyh72]

Check out:
Mobile Scanner & RADAR Detector Laws In The U.S.
Seems to be a fairly reliable resource.
I don't know of any restrictions in Iowa either. Seems that of the states that are restricted, Hams are often exempted. But do your research, don't take my word for that....

 

[mfbenderjr]

Check out:
Mobile Scanner & RADAR Detector Laws In The U.S.
Seems to be a fairly reliable resource.
I don't know of any restrictions in Iowa either. Seems that of the states that are restricted, Hams are often exempted. But do your research, don't take my word for that....

Thank you for the link...RADAR's are a good think to know too...alot of people have them and don't even give it any thought...also UNresponsible retailers ship these items to states in which they illigeal! Not all...but some...and people think that means it is legal.

 

[TrenchFeeder]

Thank you for the link...RADAR's are a good think to know too...alot of people have them and don't even give it any thought...also UNresponsible retailers ship these items to states in which they illigeal! Not all...but some...and people think that means it is legal.

Retailers are exempt from those laws.

They don't care if you get your expensive radio confiscated after they send it to you, as long as they get paid.

Sure radar detectors are nice, but they don't cover the M1A1-EB (That's good ole eyeballin' it)

and for the OP, if you are passing down I-355 in Illinois, at all, I will forewarn you. Speed is monitored remotely on that highway by a system of cameras and unmanned radar. They have exact known distances between cameras and (While it is rare) can time your speed between them, and I have heard Illinois State Police broadcast over the air, plates and vehicle descrips. for units farther down the road. As far as I know that is the only section of highway in Illinois that is remotely enforced

 

[N9JIG]

... and for the OP, if you are passing down I-355 in Illinois, at all, I will forewarn you. Speed is monitored remotely on that highway by a system of cameras and unmanned radar. They have exact known distances between cameras and (While it is rare) can time your speed between them, and I have heard Illinois State Police broadcast over the air, plates and vehicle descrips. for units farther down the road. As far as I know that is the only section of highway in Illinois that is remotely enforced

The only type of automated speed enforcement in Illinois is from vehicle (vans) mounted photo-radar units, of which the State owns 5. They are only used in speed restricted construction zones when construction workers are present. There are no other photo or automated speed enforcement activities permitted in Illinois.

The cameras installed along the Illinois tollways and expressways are for traffic management purposes only, not enforcement.

What you are hearing on the scanners is manned radar or Vascar operations talking to chase cars. A trooper is on a bridge, roadside or aircraft usually and measuring the speed. Other troopers are staged to pursue violators and issue citations. This is common on Illinois tollways and expressways all over and makes for fascinating listening at times, except of course when they describe your car. This used to be done on 42.50 before StarCom21.

 

[TrenchFeeder]

I think it was on friday I heard ISP relay to Will County that a DUI vehicle had struck the median several times they had the plate and address. I assumed they had this info from the cameras if no unit had the vehicle stopped.

 

[mfbenderjr]

The only type of automated speed enforcement in Illinois is from vehicle (vans) mounted photo-radar units, of which the State owns 5. They are only used in speed restricted construction zones when construction workers are present. The cameras installed along the Illinois tollways and expressways are for traffic management purposes only, not enforcement.

Jersey needs a system like that! People out there (and most of it is the New Yorkers passing through, and the Jersey Shore Crowd) are out of control. The only enforcement camera in use out east are the "E-Z Pass I felt like driving through the speed toll lanes without a tag on my car" cameras. IL has the same thing for I Pass I assume? (And I can use my old E-Z Pass on the I-Pass system according to the E-Z Pass website, as long as I have funds on it of course) Anyone know diffrent?

(So much for on topic...please move if nessessary!)

And thanks for the camera tip...I really dont speed unless responding to calls in my area, I very much believe in leading by example.

 

[OpSec]

It's been my observation that unless you are up in the sticks, radar detectors are not really useful anymore so I wouldn't lose any sleep over that one.

As far as IPass, I believe it works with the IN and OH toll systems so if Joisey uses the same type of system you should be good. Check the IPass site for confirmation.

 

[N9JIG]

I-Passes work in any EZ-Pass location as well as I-Zoom (Indiana). This means it works in most of the Eastern US toll roads and bridges. I have used it in Maine, Mass., NY, etc. I think OH has now installed EZ-Pass so you should be good there too. (They were a holdout...)

The IL Tollway does use cameras for toll evasion enforcement, last I heard was that they sent out notices after the 5th violation.

Back to the original question, radar detectors are legal in Illinois except in commercial vehicles. Scanners are legal in all vehicles, in homes and portable.

 

[mfbenderjr]

I-Passes work in any EZ-Pass location as well as I-Zoom (Indiana). This means it works in most of the Eastern US toll roads and bridges. I have used it in Maine, Mass., NY, etc. I think OH has now installed EZ-Pass so you should be good there too. (They were a holdout...)

Yes I did confirm this today but thank you.

The IL Tollway does use cameras for toll evasion enforcement, last I heard was that they sent out notices after the 5th violation.

Only 5? Haha...Jerz will send one out on the first infraction...Learned the hard way when due to technical problems the toll did not read my tag...it was actually due to an emergency light installed on my upper windshield...with the standard tolls of course you will get the big red light and/or bell and will know it is not working...New Jersey EZ Pass tags do not beep when they are scanned (I Believe New York Throughway ones do) so there is no way to know.[/QUOTE]

Back to the original question, radar detectors are legal in Illinois except in commercial vehicles.

I find that interesting...but I suppose it makes sence since a majority of Comm Veh travel interstate...and having to remove/replace/remove/replace your detector would...well be a PITA.