No, cursing while driving is not illegal in Illinois under state law. This claim circulates as an urban legend in lists of “weird laws,” often tied to vague disorderly conduct statutes, but no specific prohibition exists for profanity from inside a private vehicle.​
Distracted Driving Rules
Illinois bans handheld electronic devices for texting, calls, or video while driving, with fines starting at $75 and escalating for repeats. Drivers under 19 face stricter no-device rules, but verbal outbursts like cursing don’t qualify as violations.​
Disorderly Conduct Limits
General disorderly conduct (720 ILCS 5/26-1) requires intent to cause public alarm or inconvenience, rarely applied to solo drivers muttering curses unheard by others. Officers can’t pull you over solely for in-car profanity without audible public disturbance.​
Myth Origins
Such tales echo real bans elsewhere, like aggressive driving enhancements, but Illinois focuses on tangible distractions like phones. Private vehicle speech enjoys First Amendment protections absent provocation or visibility to others.
SOURCES
[1](https://carscounsel.com/illinois-distracted-driving-laws/)
[2](https://www.malmlegal.com/blog/driving-and-texting-in-illinois/)
[3](https://www.drivinglaws.org/ill.php)
[4](https://www.drivinglaws101.com/illinois)
[5](https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-501)
