Approved Providers for Illinois DUI Evaluations, DUI Risk Education, and Treatment

Many DUI defendants are confused about the use of “Approved Provider Lists” in various counties for DUI evaluations, DUI risk education, and substance use treatment. An approved provider list restricts a DUI defendant to utilize certain “approved” agencies to perform an evaluation and/or intervention service in their county of venue.

In other counties, the court will accept any evaluation or intervention provider that is licensed by the Division of Substance Use, Prevention, and Recovery (SUPR), a Division of the Illinois Department of Human Services. In the following paragraphs, we explain the difference between evaluations and interventions, as well as detail the requirements for approved providers in specific counties.

Understanding DUI Evaluations

Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/5-4-1, a court will request that a defendant obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation. An evaluation is an assessment that informs the court as to whether a substance use problem exists and recommends a specific minimum “intervention” for rehabilitative purposes.

During an evaluation, the DUI defendant is assigned one of four risk levels that inform the court of the defendant’s potential risk to public safety. The risk classification is based on elements like prior DUI history, BAC level at arrest (if any), symptoms of a substance use disorder, and other clinical information. The four risk classifications are as follows:

Minimal Risk

• No prior DUI / BUI / SUI convictions or supervision
• BAC under .15
• No pattern of impaired driving
• No substance use disorder symptoms

Moderate Risk

• No prior DUI history
• BAC .15–.19 or refusal of chemical testing
• Or a single symptom of a substance use disorder

Significant Risk

• One prior DUI (or summary suspension or reckless driving reduced from DUI) BAC .20 or higher
• Or two to three symptoms of a substance use disorder

High Risk

• Two or more prior alcohol/drug‑related driving incidents (separate events)
• Or four or more SUD symptoms 

Once a risk classification is assigned, the evaluation will recommend a “minimum intervention.” This recommendation provides the court with a clinical opinion regarding the appropriate level of education and/or treatment to impose on a particular defendant during their DUI sentence.   

What is an “Intervention” Service?

For Illinois DUI case, an “intervention” does not mean assembling friends and family to confront a DUI defendant about an alcohol or drug problem. Rather, in the context of DUI sentencing, an intervention is a package of services that are recommended in an evaluation to rehabilitate a DUI defendant.

An intervention can include various educational or treatment components, depending on the risk classification. The following “intervention services” are the minimum recommendations assigned to each risk classification:  

Minimal Risk

• 10 hours of DUI Risk Education

Moderate Risk

• 10 hours of Risk Education; and
• 12 hours of Early Intervention

Significant Risk

• 10 hours Risk Education
• 20 hours of substance abuse treatment 
• Completion of Continuing Care

High Risk

• 75 hours of treatment
• Completion of Continuing Care

When a DUI sentence is imposed, the court traditionally orders the defendant to complete one of the above interventions, depending on their risk classification. The goal of the intervention is to reduce the risk to public safety, and as well as assist with any substance-related issue.

Approved Provider Lists for DUI Services

When an individual is court-ordered to complete an evaluation or intervention, they must locate the appropriate provider for the service. Many counties in the Chicagoland area utilize approved provider lists, which can prefer or mandate certain evaluators, while also restricting education or treatment to certain approved agencies.

The following is a summary of approved providers for various counties in the Chicago Metro area:

• Cook County. Cook County requires that the initial DUI evaluation is completed by the court’s designated evaluation agency. A DUI defendant may request an evaluation appointment by sending an email to SSD.DUIeval@cookcountyil.gov or by calling (312) 948-6001. Once an evaluation is completed, a DUI defendant in Cook County can choose any agency on the approved provider list. Prior to intake with an agency, a defendant should verify that their chosen provider is on the provider list for Cook County.  

• Dupage County. DuPage County DUI defendants are required to complete their DUI evaluation through the court’s designated evaluation agency. After evaluation, individuals are permitted to choose any agency on the approved provider list for Dupage County. Prior to intake with an agency, a defendant should verify that their chosen provider is on the provider list for Dupage County. 

• Kane County. Kane County maintains a referral list of local treatment providers for DUI and substance use services. However, this list is not exclusive. Individuals may complete evaluations, education, and treatment with any facility licensed by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR).

• Kendall County. Unless otherwise specified by probation, Kendall County will accept any provider licensed by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR).

• Lake County. All DUI defendants must obtain their initial DUI evaluation through NICASA, Lake County’s designed evaluation agency. However, clients are allowed to complete DUI risk education and/or treatment with any licensed SUPR provider.

• Will County. Will County utilizes an Approved Provider List for evaluations, DUI risk education, and drug/alcohol treatment for DUI cases.

DUI Services in Other Illinois Counties

Many Illinois counties do not have specific approved providers. In these cases, the court traditionally accepts any provider licensed by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR).

Some counties may be using older provider lists that refer to DASA providers. DASA is the former agency name for SUPR. A SUPR-licensed provider is licensed by the same agency. Please refer to our “List of Approved DUI Providers by County” in our resources section for a specific courthouse.

Illinois Secretary of State Evaluations, Education, and Treatment.

The Secretary of State does not have an approved provider list for Illinois driver’s license reinstatement hearings. A petitioner at a driver’s license hearing is allowed to use any provider that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR).

For Secretary of State evaluations, DUI risk education, and treatment services, our office recommends Cloudgate Healthcare when a referral is requested. Cloudgate Healthcare can be reached at (630) 780-0262 or by visiting www.cloudgatehealthcare.com.

About Our Office

For over two decades, our Illinois practice has focused exclusively on driver’s license reinstatement and DUI defense. We regularly help revoked drivers obtain driving privileges through the Illinois Secretary of State hearing process, with an annual success rating of over 95 percent for first-time hearings with our office. Our primary location is in the Downtown Chicago Loop, within walking distance of the Secretary of State hearing office. We also have a satellite location in Naperville, Illinois.

Jennifer Wirth, Managing Attorney, has won many awards as a DUI defense attorney. She is consistently top-rated as a “10” on Avvo and Justia, both of which are independent, unpaid attorney ranking systems. Wirth was also featured among the Best DUI Lawyers in Chicago for 2024 by Expertise, as well as ranked among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Illinois for DUI in 2018. She regularly earns the annual Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Award and the yearly Avvo Client’s Choice distinction. Our driver’s license reinstatement practice offers flat rates, competitive pricing, and free consultations. To schedule a consultation, please contact our office at (312) 761-8290 or complete our contact form.

Further Reading: Illinois DUI Defense

• Area of Practice: Illinois DUI Defense
• Overview of a First DUI in Illinois
• Illinois Statutory Summary Suspension Law
• Aggravated DUI in Illinois
• Out-of-State DUI: Suspensions and Revocations
• Type A Injury DUI Cases
• CDL Consequences for an Illinois DUI
• Underage DUI and Zero Tolerance
• Marijuana DUI
• Prescription Drug DUI
• DUI Chemical Testing
• Illinois Field Sobriety Tests
• Court Evaluations for Illinois DUI Sentencing
• Collateral Consequences of a DUI Arrest in Illinois
• Approved Providers for Illinois DUI Evaluations, DUI Risk Education, and Treatment