The answer is yes, but only until January 1, 2024. As of that date, Illinois has changed its law.
After January 1, you cannot be stopped solely because of that air freshener hanging from your rearview mirror. However, Illinois law still forbids driving with objects suspended between you and the rear window, side wings or the side windows immediately adjacent to each side of you which materially obstruct your view. An officer can still stop you on that basis. See 625 ILCS 5/12-503.
The change in the law is intended to prevent such a violation being used as a pretext for a police stop and to reduce police interactions based on nonviolent violations. (See Ban on Illinois law enforcement stopping drivers over objects hanging from rearview mirror heads to governor’s desk, Central Illinois Proud, May 4, 2023).
If you have questions about this or another related Illinois criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email mailto: matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.
(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)
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Illinois Jurisprudence: Criminal Law and Procedure. Vol. 1. (LexisNexis 2014).
Illinois Jurisprudence: Criminal Law and Procedure. Vol. 1. (LexisNexis 2014).