Is it Illegal to Cut Through a Parking Lot in Illinois?

Some of these traffic lights in Rockford take freakin' forever! If there's a parking lot close by, I can just "sneak" through there and avoid this light and the traffic...Right? NOLO

Admit it, you've done this. I'm not going to say exactly where, but there's a place pretty close to the radio station where a parking lot makes your travel quite a bit easier, and quicker.

So what's the law in Illinois?

Is it illegal to cut through that parking lot to avoid traffic, and the long lights? Yes, it is.

Here's the legal breakdown:

Illinois motorists who leave the roadway and travel across private property to avoid an official traffic control device face a fine of $75 to $1,000. - NOLO

The bold writing on all of this is, if you are avoiding a traffic light...that's a huge no-no. Blow off that red light, and if you are caught...you're in big trouble!

Here's the super smart version of this:

However, if you cut across a parking lot to avoid a red light at an intersection, you violated 625 ILCS 5/11-305(b), "Obedience to and required traffic-control devices." This statute prohibits crossing private property with the intent to avoid a traffic control device. Quora 

Now, according to this article if you are cutting through a parking lot just to cut through, and there was no traffic light you are avoiding...You should be ok. Make sure there isn't a "No Through Traffic" or "Private Property" sign. You "should" be fine.