Legal Window Tint Percentages in Illinois (2025 Update)

Thinking about getting your windows tinted in Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles, or West Chicago? Before you hit the shop, it’s important to know what’s actually legal in Illinois. Tint laws can be confusing, but we’ve broken it down in a super simple way to help you stay compliant and avoid those unnecessary tickets.

Chart displaying the legal window tint percentages for cars and trucks in Illinois as of 2025, with specific limits for front, rear, side, and windshield windows.

What’s the Legal Tint in Illinois for Cars?

Here’s the 2025 update on Illinois tint laws for non-commercial vehicles:

VLT means Visible Light Transmission — the percentage of visible light allowed through the film and the glass. So, the lower the number, the darker the tint.

Can You Have 20% Tint in Illinois?

Technically yes — but only on rear windows (and only if you have side mirrors). 20% tint on your front windows? That’s a no-go for sedans in Illinois.

Why Does This Matter?

Because police do carry tint meters, and yes — you can get fined or even ordered to remove illegal film.

Bonus Tip: If you’re unsure, ask your tint shop to measure your VLT with a meter before and after install. That way, you’ll know you’re 100% legal.

Close-up of a hand using a tint meter device to measure the visible light transmission (VLT) percentage on a car window.

Looking for Legal Window Tinting Near You?

We’ve got you covered at Proformance Tint & Vinyl — proudly serving Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles, and West Chicago. We only use LLumar window film, offer ceramic upgrades, and keep everything 100% compliant with Illinois laws