Yes, dash cams are legal in Illinois. You are allowed to install and use a dashboard camera in your car to record video while driving. However, there are some important rules you need to follow, especially when it comes to audio recording, privacy, and placement of the device.
Audio Recording and Illinois Law
Illinois is a two-party consent state when it comes to recording audio. That means it’s illegal to record a conversation unless everyone involved knows and agrees to being recorded.
So, if your dash cam records sound — and you have passengers in your car or talk to a police officer during a traffic stop — they must be informed that they are being recorded.
If you record people’s voices without their consent, you could be breaking the law, even if the video part is legal.
To avoid legal trouble, you can either turn off audio recording on your dash cam or inform passengers and anyone you speak with that audio is being recorded.
Where You Can Mount Your Dash Cam
Illinois law also says that your dash cam must not block your view of the road. You cannot place the camera on the windshield in a way that interferes with your visibility. The best legal spots are:
Inside the vehicle behind the rearview mirror
On the dashboard
In a spot where it doesn’t block your view of the road
The law is clear that anything mounted on the windshield — like GPS devices or dash cams — must not take up more than a small portion of the lower corner or the top center of the windshield.
Can You Use Dash Cam Footage in Court?
Yes, dash cam footage is often used in court as evidence, especially in traffic accident cases or when proving who was at fault. However, if the audio was recorded without consent, that part of the footage might not be allowed.
To keep your recordings valid for legal use, follow all state recording laws.
What About Parking Mode?
Many dash cams now have a “parking mode” that records when the car is off and detects motion or impacts. This is also legal in Illinois, as long as it doesn’t record audio without consent. Since your car is parked and not in use, the risk of recording people without permission goes up — especially in public places.
To stay safe, avoid placing your car in spots where the dash cam might record people outside without their knowledge.
Using a dash cam in Illinois is perfectly legal, but you need to follow a few key rules. Always place the camera in a way that doesn’t block your view, and be careful with audio recording — since Illinois requires everyone’s consent.
Dash cam footage can be helpful in legal situations, but only if it’s recorded the right way. With the right setup and awareness, you can enjoy the benefits of a dash cam without breaking any laws.
