Rockford Police Offering Rewards to Stop Illegal ATV Riders On Public Streets

As spring arrives in Rockford, so will the ATVs and dirt bikes driving on major roads and streets, so the Rockford Police Department is offering rewards to anyone who helps them keep these illegal vehicles off city streets.

Off-Road Vehicle Problems

As the weather starts to get consistently warmer, there's no doubt we will start to see dirtbikes and ATVs flying past traffic on major roads like, Alpine, Perryville, Riverside, and even East State Street, and it's infuriating.

Don't get me wrong, ATVs, dirtbikes, and other off-road vehicles are super fun. My family has a 4-wheeler that we love driving around when it's warm outside, but we know where we can and cannot drive it, and we always follow the rules.

Here's the thing everyone in the Rockford area needs to remember:

It is illegal to drive ATVs, dirt bikes, and other off-road vehicles on public streets in Rockford, Illinois.

Many smaller towns and villages throughout the Stateline area allow these types of vehicles to be driven on side streets if they are properly licensed, insured, and equipped with proper safety features like headlights, brake lights, mirrors, and turn signals. Rockford does not.

Driving ATVs, dirt bikes, 4-wheelers, etc. on city streets is not only illegal, it's very dangerous, and the Rockford Police Department is saying enough is enough. But, they need our help.

How to Report Unauthorized Vehicles in Rockford

The Rockford Police Department has been trying to crack down on drivers of unauthorized vehicles the last few years, but they have decided to up the ante and offer rewards for tips in 2026.

The next time you are driving down Perryville Road and see guys popping wheelies on dirt bikes in the next lane, (it's happened to me several times) please snap a pic or video and text RPDTIP to 847411. I'm tired of seeing this happen in Rockford, and I'm sure you are too.