Warning In Illinois: Look Out For Red Or Purple Paint In The Woods This Summer

While many who don't live in Illinois don't realize how beautiful it is. We are now a couple years into a new acceptance for paint as markers in the state of Illinois. Many of us love to go for hikes in the spring. While you are enjoying that natural Illinois beauty you might see trees painted with red or purple paint. Do you know what that means? Many don't realize how important the markings are now, and how important it is to keep an eye out for them.

Sometimes signs are taken down, stolen, or vandalized, so now many landowners have switched to paint. While the purple paint isn't everywhere in Illinois some are using it today and many may also start using it. You are most likely to see this in the woods, near farms on other properties. We are now a couple years into these new changes. One is more of a law while the other is seen as a rule.

Purple Paint Law In Illinois

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

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.