Blocked crossing laws
How long can a train block a crossing in Illinois?
Illinois law limits a train to 10 minutes blocking a road crossing, under 625 ILCS 5/18c-7402(1)(b)-(c). A court has held that federal law preempts this limit, so it generally cannot be enforced against railroads. Checked 16 October 2026.
The rule
Illinois law says a railroad may not let a train, car or engine block public travel at a road crossing for more than 10 minutes, unless it is continuously moving or cannot be moved for reasons outside the railroad's reasonable control.
Exceptions and local rules
Does not apply to a continuously moving train or when circumstances outside the railroad's reasonable control prevent moving it. In counties over 1,000,000 people (Cook County), from 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m., one train may not block a crossing more than 10 minutes in total within a 30-minute period. A moving train may not be stopped to issue a citation. Employees following company rules or orders may not be prosecuted. Fines on the railroad rise with duration: 200-500 dollars for 10-15 minutes, then 500, 700, 900 and 1,000 dollars in five-minute steps, plus 500 dollars per added five minutes beyond 35 minutes. Separately, train crews must act right away to clear a crossing blocking an emergency vehicle.
It is unlawful for a rail carrier to permit any train, railroad car or engine to obstruct public travel at a railroad-highway grade crossing for a period in excess of 10 minutes, except where such train or railroad car is continuously moving or cannot be moved by reason of circumstances over which the rail carrier has no reasonable control.
Does federal law override it?
No federal law sets a time limit for a train blocking a crossing. Federal law does control how railroads run trains, and courts have used it to set aside state time limits.
When a court holds a state limit preempted, the state cannot enforce it against the railroad. A limit no court has ruled on is still on the books, but railroads may challenge it the same way.
Where to report a blocked crossing
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) takes blocked crossing reports from the public for every state.
Report to the FRA blocked crossing reporter
We found no Illinois state page for blocked crossing reports, so the FRA reporter is the place to report.
If a train is blocking the crossing right now, call the railroad on the number shown on the blue sign at the crossing.
Crossings in Illinois
Illinois has 7,785 public crossings in the FRA crossing inventory.