Want to start your dumpster diving adventure to earn some cool cash in Illinois? Good, you have come to the right page.
In this article, you will get to know the best dumpster diving locations and various dumpster diving tactics and laws in the state of Illinois.
You will also know how to get the most out of your treasure hunt in this article.
Dumpster Diving in the State of Illinois
Dumpster diving in the state of Illinois is highly lucrative. You have the opportunity to hunt for luxuries and treasures that can fetch you good money.
Illinois has a whopping 237 shopping complexes and malls, making it one of the greatest places to go trash diving.
Another good news is that these shopping malls have a total number of 5465 stores, which are great sites for dumpster diving to find valuable items.
Furthermore, there are also some influential areas in Illinois where you can go to dumpster dive such as Skokie Heights (Glencoe), Forest Glen (Winnetka), Tucson Woods (Oak Brook), Inverness, and Gold Coast ( Chicago).
They regard these places as garbage diving hotspots in Illinois. You can choose to dumpster dive in these affluent districts or shop malls and retail stores. Illinois has it all.
Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in Illinois?
No, it is not illegal to dumpster dive in Illinois. It is, in fact, legal and not prohibited at all. However, you must adhere to your city’s trespassing laws as well as the municipality’s policies and statutes to avoid trespassing charges.
This is because every corporation and private dwelling is normally private property, dumpster diving without proper authority or permission may result in trespassing citations.
You should note that most cities in Illinois have no laws forbidding you from scavenging into dumpsters that have been put on public property such as curbs for pickup.
It is worthy to be known that an individual or a business has effectively relinquished ownership rights to objects left in dumpsters in public places across the country according to the historic United States Supreme Court case, California v. Greenwood in 1988.
To prevent being charged with trespass or theft, you should not search through the dumpster while it is still inside a private residential place or company in Illinois.
The business in Illinois is capable of prohibiting you from their site permanently if you scavenge on their property without permission and they could sue you for illegal dumping, littering, and disorderly conduct.
These places are not the best dumpster diving sites especially if don’t have all necessary licenses so you have to be familiar with your area and rules to stay safe while dumpster diving.
Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in Chicago?
Dumpster diving is not totally illegal in Chicago, but dumpster diving without a permit is illegal.
This implies that if you don’t have a license before diving into someone else’s dumpster, you end up paying a fine, which is a lot of money.
Getting a permit is quite straightforward in Chicago. All you have to do is to follow the application’s instructions and supply all required information.
After that, you will now pay the sum of $250.00 for a two-year permit. Wondering why the permit payment is much?
That charge is a fraction of what you may face if they caught you dumpster diving without permission.
Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in Rockford?
You will need a license to dumpster dive legally in the city of Rockford. This means that if they caught you trash diving without a license, you could end up spending a fortune on fines.
Moreso, you should make sure you have the right sticker on your car while driving to dumpster locations else you risk getting yourself into trouble.
Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in Aurora?
Yes, dumpster diving without a license and a sticker is illegal. If you dumpster dive without a proper license, they would charge you to pay a fine.
To dumpster dive freely in Aurora, you should follow the directions on the application and provide all essential information. After that, you will need to pay $50 for a one-year permit.
The fee is way cheaper compared to the heavy penalties you could face if they caught you diving without prior permission.
Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in Joliet?
The city of Joliet requires you to also have a license while dumpster diving. The city has applications for both junk scavengers and peddlers.
So, it depends on what you plan to do with the valuables you find.
Is Dumpster Diving Illegal in Illinois at Night?
Dumpster diving is not illegal at night in Illinois. Of a truth, the restrictions are still the same whether you dumpster dive during the day or at night.
Dumpster diving in residential areas at night appears to be risky because there is a good chance that cop could arrest you at the moment.
So, dumpster diving in Illinois is best done early in the morning or just after sunrise.
Related: Dumpster Diving in Texas
Best Location to Go Dumpster Diving in Illinois
There are several best places you can go dumpster scavenging in Illinois. Below are the places you can go to for your trash diving quest;
- Shopping Malls
- Construction Sites
- Cosmetic Stores
- Grocery Stores
- Bakery
- Video game Store
- Garage and Yard Sales
How Much Can You Make in Dumpster Diving in Illinois?
How much you make in dumpster diving in Illinois is based on the reason you dumpster dive and the valuables you find.
You can go dumpster for the purpose of finding recyclable items to sell or to find furniture, books, and electronics to sell on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. Usually, the purpose of your diving determines the money you make from it.
But it is estimated that $4000 is made monthly through dumpster diving in Illinois, but you must put a lot of effort and attention to it to make it possible.
Final Thoughts
Dumpster diving is not illegal in Illinois, but you must abide with the dumpster diving rules and regulations in the state.
To start your dumpster diving adventure in Illinois, you should make sure you observe Illinois’s trespassing legislation, common-sense guidelines, and local municipal ordinances and you are good to go.
