Articles Posted in DUI

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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Downtown Chicago offers an endless mix of nightlife, rooftop bars, and business dinners. But what begins with an after-work drink in the Loop, River North, or West Loop can end with flashing lights and a breathalyzer. Police stationed near Wacker Drive or the Ohio Street feeder ramp are constantly watching for drivers who make small mistakes—crossing lane markers, braking too late, or turning without signaling.

When you’re stopped, the process moves quickly. Officers ask about alcohol consumption, perform field sobriety tests, and decide whether to arrest. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or more—or being under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination—is a crime in Illinois. For a first offense, it’s a Class A misdemeanor, but if an accident caused injury or death, it can escalate to a Class 4 or Class 2 felony.

From the moment of arrest, the system begins moving against you. The Cook County Circuit Court, located at the Richard J. Daley Center and the 26th and California courthouse, handles hundreds of DUI cases every week. Prosecutors rely heavily on police reports and machine-generated test results. A private DUI defense attorney is essential to slow that process down and make the court see you as a person, not just another file number.

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Chicago’s Professional Standards and DUI Risks

In Chicago, professionals are held to a higher standard of personal conduct—especially physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and healthcare workers. A DUI arrest may appear to be a “personal” matter, but the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) treats it as a professional integrity issue. Even one conviction under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, Illinois’ DUI statute, can lead to a review of your medical license and possible disciplinary action. As a Chicago criminal defense attorney with decades of experience representing professionals in Cook County, DuPage County, and beyond, I’ve seen how quickly a simple traffic stop can threaten years of medical education and hard-earned credentials.

Chicago’s hospitals, from Rush University Medical Center to Northwestern Memorial, rely on licensed professionals who maintain clean records. A physician convicted of DUI risks losing hospital privileges, DEA prescribing authority, or even their employment. The Illinois Medical Practice Act (225 ILCS 60/1) gives IDFPR broad authority to discipline license holders for “unprofessional conduct,” which includes substance-related criminal convictions.

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