When you wake up this morning, you realize that this Arctic Blast and extremely cold air are still keeping things pretty cold in Illinois. It's so cold that an Extreme Cold Warning has been issued to counties in Illinois.

I'm sure you also dread getting into your freezing vehicle to go to work this morning. It's tempting to warm up your vehicle, especially when you see wind chills get down to -30° as you are heading out the door.

National Weather Service of the Quad Cities
National Weather Service of the Quad Cities
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But I'm here to remind you that not only is it illegal in Illinois to warm up your vehicle, but it's also extremely dangerous for you, your children, and the community to do so for a little extra comfort. We've seen time and time again what happens when you leave your car running and unattended, even if it's for a split second.

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Warm Up Your Car Is Extremely Dangerous

We just had a great example of why it's so important not to leave your car running with the keys ignition and unattended.

Rock Island Police Department via Facebook
Rock Island Police Department via Facebook
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Last week in Rock Island, Ill., a mom was simply trying to load her kids into her car on a cold Thursday morning when things took a turn for the worse.

Rock Island police were called shortly after 6 a.m. about a stolen vehicle with 4-year-old Blessing Aoci inside. Her mom put her in the car seat to get the other children, and in that split second, her vehicle was stolen. After nine hours of searching, Blessing was found safe and reunited with her mom. 5 people were arrested in connection with the incident.

Want A Warm Car? Get Remote Start

I know it's easier said than done, but in Illinois, it's the only way to warm up your vehicle without breaking the law.

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My wife and I got a remote start in our Chevy Equinox when we first moved to the Quad Cities and it has been heaven. Plus, with two kids, there isn't as much complaining in the winter.

Having an automatic starter in your vehicle will also curb the idea of going out to your car on a cold morning, putting your keys in the ignition, starting it, and going back to your house. If you do the "old school way" of warming up your car in Illinois, you could get in serious trouble with the police.

Illinois Made It Illegal To Warm Up Your Car

We're coming up on 8 years since Illinois legislators made it illegal to warm up your car statewide.

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Back in 2017, Illinois lawmakers passed this law making it illegal for people to essentially 'warm up' their cars. This is the law, according to the Illinois General Assembly:

(625 ILCS 5/11-1401) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-1401)
    Sec. 11-1401. Unattended motor vehicles. Except for a law enforcement officer or an operator of an authorized emergency vehicle performing his or her official duties, no person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition, effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any perceptible grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway. An unattended motor vehicle shall not include an unattended locked motor vehicle with the engine running after being started by a remote starter system.

Essentially, you can't warm up your car or let it idle without someone in the driver's seat unless you are a police officer, an authorized emergency vehicle, or have an automatic start system installed in your vehicle.

Iowa had a similar law but was amended in March 2017.

If you get caught warming up your vehicle in Illinois by police, you could get a fine. There isn't an exact dollar amount but some articles say upwards of $100, some say $125, and others say $250.

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But the biggest "fine" that any of us could receive if you warm up our vehicles with the keys in the car and the vehicle unattended is theft. And that goes for everyone in the Quad Cities.

Reminder To #LockItDownQC

Because of the rising numbers of car thefts throughout the Quad Cities started the #LockItDownQC campaign in 2020.

As we saw last week in Rock Island with Blessing being in the car and the car being stolen, thieves do not care.

 

On the Lock It Down QC website, officials outline three key actions Quad City citizens can take to prevent car theft including:

  1. Never leave your car running, even if you have your fob.
  2. Always lock your car.
  3. Never leave your keys in your car.

You can find more information and tips about #LockItDownQC here.

Back in 2020, we wrote a story about how fast someone's car can be stolen out of their garage. Take a look for yourself below.

Be smart and just remember, comfort isn't as important as safety and preventing crimes.

Essential Winter Emergency Kit Items

Winter season in the Quad Cities means cold temperatures, heavy snow, and slick roads. Hopefully, you won't ever need to tap into your winter emergency kit, but it's better to have one in your car than to be unprepared. Make sure you have these essential items in your car before winter arrives in the Quad Cities.

Gallery Credit: Connor Kenney/Townsquare Media Quad Cities

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