Chicago Drivers License Reinstatement Blog

In this article, we provide a basic overview of the Secretary of State hearing process for persons facing a driver’s license revocation in Illinois. The information is a generally summary of the law at the time of publishing and may be updated by subsequent articles. The hearing process for Illinois driver’s license reinstatement is often…

After a DUI arrest, a person may be eligible for a Monitoring Permit (MDDP) or hardship permit from the Illinois Secretary of State during the period of statutory summary suspension. When a person is arrested for DUI, they often receive notice that their driving privileges will be automatically suspended within 46 days, pursuant to the…

Jennifer Wirth, Attorney, compares the basic differences between formal and informal hearings when seeking driver’s license reinstatement with the Illinois Secretary of State. To view our video explainer on the difference between informal and formal hearings, click here for our watch page. The Illinois Secretary of State has two types of hearings to request driving…

Drivers with a breathalyzer in their vehicle should avoid certain substances before using the device to minimize the potential for a false positive reading. Many of the permits issued by the Secretary of State mandate an individual to have the Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) installed in their vehicle as a condition of driving.…

In Illinois, a DUI can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on a variety of factors. This article reviews the maximum penalties for each class of misdemeanor and felony. Generally, felonies and misdemeanors are distinguished by the term of imprisonment allowed for the offense. A felony is any offense that is punishable by…

With probationary permits replacing many restricted driving permits, the Secretary of State is enabling many people to drive for work and pleasure prior to full reinstatement. n January of 2022, the Illinois Secretary of State began issuing a newly-created permit available to many revoked drivers, entitled the “Lawful Purpose Permit” (LPP). The LPP allows eligible…

Although the two professions play different roles in a hearing, they are equally important. An attorney cannot provide DUI treatment for a client and a DUI treatment provider cannot provide legal advice or services. A successful hearing often occurs when a client pairs the services of an experienced DUI drivers license reinstatement attorney with a…

On occasion, our office receives calls from revoked persons with a pending Driving on a Revoked License charge in court. In an effort to obtain a more favorable sentence, they want to know if we can clear their DUI-related drivers license revocation before their next court appearance. On occasion, our office receives calls from revoked…

NOTE: This article has been updated since its original publication date in 2020. For the most recent information, please click the 2024 Post on Driver’s License Reinstatement after a DUI Revocation. For roughly two decades, I have been representing clients at Secretary of State hearings to request the reinstatement of their Illinois driving privileges. During…

If nothing else, it is my hope that this article dispels the myth that Petitioners should just “wing it” at their first hearing and retain an attorney for a second hearing if they are denied. This article explains why it is important to start our prepared at the first hearing with the Illinois Secretary of…