Illinois window tint law
In Illinois, a passenger car's front side windows must let in at least 35% of light; rear side windows: at least 35% of light in; rear window: at least 35% of light in. Source: 625 ILCS 5/12-503 (Source: P.A. 103-32, eff. 1-1-24), checked November 2026.
| Front side windows | 35% Nonreflective film of at least 35% VLT if no window behind the driver is below 35%; or at least 50% VLT if no window behind the driver is below 30%. If the rear windows are darker than 30%, no film on the front sides. |
|---|---|
| Rear side windows | 35% Tied to the front: at least 35% when the front sides use 35% film, at least 30% when the front sides use 50% film. The section sets no separate rear minimum if the front side windows are left untreated. Side mirrors on both sides required. |
| Rear window | 35% Same rule as the rear side windows (35% with 35% fronts, 30% with 50% fronts); side mirrors on both sides required when treated. |
| Windshield | No tint, except nonreflective film along the top of the windshield extending no more than 6 inches down. |
| Tolerance | 5% variance when metered by law enforcement |
| Medical exemption | Allowed for vehicles with Secretary of State distinctive plates/stickers when the owner or a household passenger has a sun-sensitive medical condition (e.g., lupus, albinism) certified by an Illinois-licensed physician; certificate carried in the vehicle and renewed every 4 years. |
The Illinois front-side limit on a car
Levels we picture that meet the front-side limit: 70% (light)50% (medium-light)35% (medium)
Source
625 ILCS 5/12-503 (Source: P.A. 103-32, eff. 1-1-24)
“a nonreflective tinted film that allows at least 35% light transmittance, with a 5% variance observed by any law enforcement official metering the light transmittance, may be used on the vehicle windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver.”
Checked November 2026 (read from an archived copy of the official page). A summary of the passenger-car rules, not legal advice: laws change, so check the source or ask a local tint shop before you buy.
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