November 6, 2025

When a Felony DUI Threatens Your Driving Privileges for Life in Illinois

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

I’ve practiced DUI defense for decades in Chicago, and few moments shock clients more than learning they could lose their driver’s license forever. In Illinois, this isn’t an empty threat. A felony DUI conviction—especially a fourth or subsequent offense—can lead to permanent revocation under 625 ILCS 5/6-208(b)(4). This means your license isn’t just suspended; it’s gone indefinitely.

Statute text:

“Any person convicted of a fourth or subsequent violation of Section 11-501 of this Code or a similar provision of a local ordinance shall not be eligible for a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle.”

November 5, 2025

Can I Appeal a CDL Disqualification in Illinois?

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Protecting Chicago Truck Drivers and Commercial Operators from Permanent License Loss

Chicago’s highways and interstates run on the labor of commercial drivers who haul goods, materials, and passengers throughout Cook County and beyond. But a single traffic stop or criminal charge can cost a driver their livelihood. When a CDL is disqualified in Illinois, many assume that’s the end of the road. However, Illinois law does provide limited—but critical—avenues for appeal. Understanding those options is vital to protecting your future.

I’ve represented hundreds of CDL holders in Chicago who were blindsided by a notice of disqualification. These drivers are often accused of DUI, reckless driving, or violating an out-of-service order. Whether the incident happens in Bridgeview, Cicero, or downtown Chicago, a CDL suspension can mean immediate termination from employment and long-term financial hardship.

November 4, 2025

When a Personal DUI Puts Your Commercial License at Risk in Illinois

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Imagine being a professional driver in Chicago—logging long hours on the Eisenhower Expressway, handling deliveries around Cicero or Joliet—and suddenly being arrested for DUI after driving home from dinner in your personal vehicle. The flashing lights, the officer’s questions, and a momentary lapse can set off a chain reaction that endangers your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), your career, and your future.

At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C., we’ve represented countless drivers across Cook County, DuPage County, and Will County who discovered that a personal-vehicle DUI carries the same, if not harsher, professional penalties as one committed behind the wheel of a commercial truck.

Illinois law, under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, makes it illegal to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating compounds, or with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more. But for commercial drivers, federal law lowers that threshold to 0.04 BAC when operating a commercial vehicle under 49 CFR § 383.51. The problem is that a DUI in any vehicle—personal or professional—still triggers CDL disqualification.

November 3, 2025

When a DUI Threatens Your Illinois CDL

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

When a DUI Threatens Your Illinois CDL

The Stakes for Commercial Drivers in Chicago

Driving a truck or commercial vehicle in Illinois isn’t just a job—it’s the foundation of your livelihood. For thousands of CDL holders who pass daily through Chicago’s interstates, shipping hubs, and rail corridors, even a single DUI arrest can trigger automatic penalties that cost far more than fines. The law treats commercial drivers differently. Whether you were stopped in your semi on the Dan Ryan or driving your personal vehicle home through Cicero Avenue, an arrest can threaten your CDL, income, and reputation.

November 2, 2025

Can You Lose Your CDL for a DUI in Your Personal Vehicle in Illinois?

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Can You Lose Your CDL for a DUI in Your Personal Vehicle in Illinois?

How a Private DUI Arrest Can Destroy a Professional Driving Career in Chicago

For many professional drivers in Chicago, a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is their livelihood. Whether you’re hauling freight from the Union Stock Yards area to the South Loop, delivering goods along I-94, or driving charter buses across Cook County, your CDL is your career. But what happens when a DUI arrest occurs while driving your personal car on a night off?

November 1, 2025

Getting Back Behind the Wheel: CDL Reinstatement After a DUI in Illinois

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Chicago’s Commercial Drivers Face Unique Legal Challenges

In Chicago, professional drivers form the backbone of our city’s economy. From long-haul truckers to delivery and transit drivers, a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) is often the difference between steady employment and unemployment. When a DUI arrest results in a CDL suspension, the impact extends far beyond the courtroom—it threatens your ability to provide for yourself and your family.

Illinois law treats CDL holders differently than other motorists. Under 625 ILCS 5/6-514, any alcohol-related offense can trigger a one-year disqualification for a first offense or lifetime disqualification for a second. The law applies even if you were driving your personal car at the time. That means a night out in River North could lead to the same professional consequences as an on-the-job infraction.

October 30, 2025

What CDL Drivers Need to Know Before It’s Too Late

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Why a DUI Threatens More Than Your License

For most drivers in Chicago, Illinois, a DUI arrest is stressful but survivable. For those who hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), it can destroy a career overnight. Even if the alleged offense occurs in your personal vehicle, the Illinois Secretary of State will move to suspend your CDL the moment your blood alcohol content (BAC) is recorded at 0.04 percent or higher or if you refuse a chemical test. That single mark on your record can end your employment, trigger termination from your company’s insurance, and place your name in federal safety databases.

As a Chicago criminal defense lawyer, I’ve represented truck drivers, delivery operators, and bus drivers across Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties facing these exact circumstances. I know the system moves fast—long before you’ve had the chance to tell your side of the story. The police, prosecutors, and administrative authorities each act on their own timelines. That’s why an immediate legal defense is essential to preserve both your CDL and your freedom.

October 29, 2025

How a DUI Conviction in Chicago Can Jeopardize Your Job

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

The Immediate and Long-Term Fallout of a DUI Arrest in Illinois

A DUI arrest in Chicago can unravel a person’s reputation, employment status, and professional credentials in a matter of days. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, it is unlawful to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating compounds. While some assume a DUI is a routine traffic offense, Illinois law classifies it as a criminal charge—and the difference is life-altering.

A first-offense DUI in Illinois is typically charged as a Class A misdemeanor, which carries penalties of up to 364 days in jail, fines up to $2,500, license suspension, and mandatory alcohol evaluation and treatment. However, under 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d), aggravating factors—such as prior convictions, a child passenger, or causing serious injury—can escalate the charge to a felony (Aggravated DUI) punishable by multiple years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

October 28, 2025

Can You Be Arrested for DUI if the Engine Was Off in Illinois?

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Understanding Illinois DUI Law and How It Applies

Chicago law enforcement takes driving under the influence very seriously, and many people are surprised to learn that you can be charged with DUI even if your vehicle wasn’t in motion. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, Illinois law defines DUI as being in “actual physical control” of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any intoxicating compound. That means that the police don’t need to see you driving. If the officer believes you were capable of operating the car, even if the engine was off, a DUI arrest is possible.

In Chicago, I’ve handled cases where someone pulled over to “sleep it off” in a parking lot, only to end up in handcuffs. The officer noticed the person sitting behind the wheel with the keys nearby, and that was enough for an arrest. These cases happen all across Cook County, from neighborhoods like Wicker Park and Bridgeport to Evanston and Oak Lawn.

October 27, 2025

The Defense Process in Chicago DUI Case — What Really Happens After Your Arrest

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

How DUI Arrests Unfold in Chicago, Illinois

As a Chicago DUI defense lawyer who has defended clients throughout Cook County for decades, I can say with confidence that no two DUI cases are exactly alike. Yet every case begins the same way — with an officer deciding that something doesn’t look right on the road. Whether it’s a lane deviation on Lower Wacker Drive, rolling through a stop sign in Wrigleyville, or driving home from a Bears game, law enforcement treats any sign of impairment seriously.

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, Illinois prohibits driving or being in actual control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or any controlled substance. The law defines impairment broadly: a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or evidence showing a driver was unable to operate a vehicle safely. Even a driver under that limit can be charged if the officer believes the person was impaired “to any degree.”