Understanding Illinois' DUI Summary Suspension Laws

In Illinois, statutory summary suspensions laws arewith the court to obtain a driving permit. If you receive
aimed at suspending drivers who are charged with thethe permit, the vehicle which the DUI arrestee drives
offense of DUI. When a person is arrested for themust install a Breath Alcohol Interlock Ignition Device
offense of DUI, their driver's license will be suspended(BAIID). The costs for the BAIID device can range
on the 46th day from the date of the DUI arrest. If thefrom $1000 for a 6 month suspension to $2000 for a
person is arrested for a DUI and they refuse to12 month suspension.
undergo chemical testing, such as a breathalyzer test,Individuals have the right to challenge the summary
blood test or urine test, their driver's license will besuspension, but petition must be filed within 90 days of
suspended for a period of 12 months. If a personthe service of the notice summary suspension. This
submits to the chemical testing and the test indicates asummary suspension notice arrives from the Illinois
blood alcohol level (BAC) at.08 or higher, their driver'sSecretary of State's office. This notice informs you of
license will be suspended for a period of 6 months. Athe date of the suspension. At this hearing, the burden
summary regarding the length of suspension from aof proof at this hearing is on the motorist. The motorist
DUI arrest is listed below:has the right to a rescission hearing, either within 30
1) 6 months for first offenders who submit to thedays or the first court date. There are various grounds
testing;to have a summary suspension rescinded, but the
2) 12 months for first offenders who refuse to submitState of Illinois has an extremely high success rate in
to the testing;winning these hearings. The reasons are as follows:
3) 12 months for a BAC greater than.08 who is not aMotorist was not properly placed under arrest for a
first offender;DUI; No probable cause to for the DUI arrest; Motorist
4) 3 years for those who refuse chemical testing whonot properly warned; Motorist did not refuse to submit
are not first offenders.to the test; Motorist was not driving or in actual
Every motorist operating a vehicle on a public highwayphysical control of a motor vehicle.
in Illinois is required by law to submit to any form ofIt is important to retain an attorney who is
chemical testing that the police officer desires, if theyconcentrates in DUI law. I also recommend that the
are arrested for a DUI. This is known as Illinois Impliedattorney you retain practices in the county in which
Consent Law. In Illinois, driving a vehicle is a privilege, notyou were charged with a DUI. If you were arrested for
a right.a DUI in Kane or DuPage County, you should hire an
A person may obtain a driving permit if they are firstattorney that frequently practices in those two
offender under Illinois Law. The definition of a firstcounties. Your DUI attorney can challenge various
offender is not a person who has never had a DUIportions of summary suspension. In addition to
conviction. If fact, you can have multiple arrests for DUIchallenging the statutory summary suspension, your
and still be a first offender under the Statutoryattorney may have the criminal case dismissed or
Summary Suspension Laws. The individual must applyreduced from a DUI.