Illinois Residents Reminded To Always Avoid Red Or Purple Paint In The Woods

If you enjoy those chilly hikes, or are looking for some great new spots to snowmobile this year, stay clear form Red and Purple Paint marks on trees or signs. This law has been around for over three years now, and is real.

An easy thing to remember is that paints mean basically the same thing, but purple is much more popular and means only one thing while that red paint can mean a few other things.

Purple Paint Law In Illinois in 2024

Illinois is one of 18 states as of 2024 that follow this law. The shortest answer is that these markings can, and do represent a "no trespassing" sign. The Purple Paint Law gives landowners the option of marking trees or posts to prevent trespassing. One of the biggest benefits of the purple paint being used for no trespassing is that, unlike signs that can be removed or destroyed, the purple paint is pretty permanent. The Illinois State law is as follows,

SPRINGFIELD, IL  A new law signed by Governor Pat Quinn allows Illinois landowners or lessees the option of using purple paint markings on trees or posts on their property as a no trespassing notice. The Purple Paint Law is designed as an alternative which Illinois landowners can use to protect their property from trespassing.

This law is again relatively new, it went in effective July 1, 2019.

If a property owner living in an unincorporated area places purple paint around their property on trees or fence posts, entering the property is forbidden and constitutes trespassing,

The Red Paint Rule In Illinois 2024

gardeningknowhow.com claims that one of the uses for this color is to signify the tree is on land that belongs to the U.S. Forest Service. Other Sources go on to say it can mark any property line,

If its a line of red painted trees is a property line. Different Timber companys/land owners use different colors to mark their property lines.

While red paint can also mark a tree "not to cut down" while work is being done in an area... so as long as you're not walking through a construction zone in the woods, odds are seeing markings for a property line.

Crossing This Paint Is Trespassing, And The Same Laws Apply

While signs are still used by plenty of landowners in Iowa, it is important to remember that if you walk past purple paint then you are trespassing, it's important to stay aware of your surroundings as you're having fun with friends and loved ones this spring.