Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Imagine being pulled over by police in Chicago. Maybe they claim they smell something suspicious or they believe you’re acting nervously. They search your car and find a few hundred—or a few thousand—dollars in cash. No drugs are found. No charges are filed. And yet, your money is seized and you’re told you’ll need to fight to get it back. This isn’t just a nightmare—it’s a reality for thousands of Illinois residents every year under the Illinois Drug Asset Forfeiture Procedure Act, codified at 725 ILCS 150/1.
This law allows law enforcement to take property they suspect is linked to drug activity. And unless you respond quickly and aggressively, they may keep that property—permanently. If you or a loved one has had money, a car, or other property seized in connection with an alleged drug offense, it’s critical to understand what this law allows and what you can do to fight back.
