DUI Laws in Illinois

Illinois DUI Laws: Key Facts

Legal limit (adults)

0.08 BAC625 ILCS 5/11-501(a)(1), (c)(4)-(5); 625 ILCS 5/6-514; 625 ILCS 5/11-501.8; 625 ILCS 5/6-208.2

Commercial drivers (CDL)

0.04 BAC

Drivers under 21

0 BAC (drivers under 21 face a license suspension for any alcohol concentration greater than 0.00 (zero tolerance, 625 ILCS 5/11-501.8 and 6-208.2))

Enhanced penalties from

0.16 BAC

Lookback period

for criminal penalties, every prior DUI counts regardless of age, including similar offenses in other states; a 20-year window applies to the 5-year license revocation for a second conviction

Insurance filing

SR-22, 3 years after the proof is first filed

Illinois DUI Penalties by Offense

First offense: 625 ILCS 5/11-501(c)(1); 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-55; 625 ILCS 5/11-501.01(a), (b), (d), (j); 625 ILCS 5/6-208(b)(1); 625 ILCS 5/6-206.1 · Second offense: 625 ILCS 5/11-501(c)(1)-(2); 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-55; 625 ILCS 5/11-501.01(e); 625 ILCS 5/6-208(b)(1.3), (b)(2) · Third offense: 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(1)(A), (d)(2)(B), (d)(3); 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-35; 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-50(b); 625 ILCS 5/6-208(b)(3); 625 ILCS 5/11-501.01(e)

When Penalties Are Higher

• BAC 0.16 or higher, first offense: mandatory minimum 100 hours of community service and a mandatory minimum $500 fine625 ILCS 5/11-501(c)(4)
• BAC 0.16 or higher, second offense: mandatory minimum 2 days in jail and a mandatory minimum $1,250 fine625 ILCS 5/11-501(c)(5)
• BAC 0.16 or higher, third offense: mandatory minimum 90 days in prison and a mandatory minimum $2,500 fine625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(2)(B)
• transporting a passenger under 16: 6 months of imprisonment, an additional mandatory minimum $1,000 fine and 25 days of community service in a program benefiting children; on a second violation it is aggravated DUI, a Class 2 felony with a mandatory $2,500 fine625 ILCS 5/11-501(c)(3), (d)(1)(K), (d)(2)(I)
• crash causing great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement: aggravated DUI; if imprisoned, 1 to 12 years625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(1)(C), (d)(2)(F)
• crash causing a death: Class 2 felony: 3 to 14 years for one death, 6 to 28 years for two or more deaths, unless extraordinary circumstances require probation625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(1)(F), (d)(2)(G)
• driving a school bus with passengers, driving while revoked or suspended for DUI, without a valid license, without insurance, or with for-hire passengers: aggravated DUI, a Class 4 felony unless another class applies625 ILCS 5/11-501(d)(1)(B), (G), (H), (I), (L), (d)(2)(A)

More on Illinois DUI penalties · Estimate penalties for your situation

If You Refuse a Breath or Blood Test

statutory summary suspension of 12 months for a first offender or 3 years otherwise, starting on the 46th day after notice; CDL holders are also disqualified from commercial driving625 ILCS 5/11-501.1(c), (g); 625 ILCS 5/6-208.1(a)(1), (a)(3)

Official source: if you refuse a breath or blood test in Illinois

Getting a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (During Summary Suspension) or Restricted Driving Permit (After Revocation)

First offenders under statutory summary suspension are issued an MDDP that lets them drive any vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock, installed within 14 days; not available if death or great bodily harm resulted, the license is otherwise invalid, or the driver is under 18. After revocation, the Secretary of State may issue a restricted driving permit for work, medical care, treatment, school or child care when you show undue hardship and no other transportation; drivers with 2 or more DUI convictions may drive only interlock-equipped vehicles. A first offender whose privileges were summarily revoked for refusal cannot get an MDDP and may apply for an RDP after one year.

Official source: getting a monitoring device driving permit (during summary suspension) or restricted driving permit (after revocation) in Illinois

Ignition Interlock

First offense: required to drive on a monitoring device driving permit during a first offender's summary suspension; the MDDP can be declined Repeat offenses: at least 5 years on all vehicles you own after a second or subsequent DUI conviction; required on any restricted driving permit after 2 or more DUI convictions Monthly fee of up to $30 to the Secretary of State on top of device costs.

Official source: ignition interlock in Illinois

Can a DUI Come Off Your Record?

not available: Illinois courts may not seal or expunge DUI convictions or DUI court supervision The exclusion covers arrests or charges that end in supervision for or conviction of 625 ILCS 5/11-501 or a similar local ordinance.

Official source: can a dui come off your record? in Illinois

Drivers Under 21

zero tolerance: a driver under 21 with any alcohol concentration greater than 0.00 faces a license suspension, separate from a DUI charge 3 months for a test over 0.00 (1 year if previously suspended); 6 months for refusing the test (2 years if previously suspended)

Official source: drivers under 21 in Illinois

Driving After Using Drugs

yes: the same statute covers driving under the influence of any drug, intoxicating compound or combination; any amount of an unlawfully used controlled substance or methamphetamine; and a THC concentration in blood within 2 hours of driving (5 nanograms or more per milliliter of whole blood, or 10 in another bodily substance, 625 ILCS 5/11-501.2)

Official source: driving after using drugs in Illinois

More on DUI Law in Illinois

• Illinois DUI Penalties: First, Second and Third Offense
• DUI License Suspension in Illinois: Hearing Deadline and Hardship License
• SR-22 Insurance After a DUI in Illinois
• Ignition Interlock Rules in Illinois
• Can a DUI Be Expunged in Illinois?
• Refusing a Breath or Blood Test in Illinois

Frequently Asked Questions