Articles Tagged with and License Penalties?

Chicago’s Approach to DUI Enforcement and Why the Financial Impact Is Larger Than Most People Expect

Chicago is one of the busiest cities in the country, where thousands of drivers move through crowded corridors like Lake Shore Drive, Michigan Avenue, the Dan Ryan, and the Kennedy Expressway every day. Because alcohol-related crashes remain a major concern for police departments and prosecutors, DUI enforcement in Chicago is constant. Officers aggressively enforce 625 ILCS 5/11-501, the statute that defines and regulates DUI offenses in Illinois. A first DUI is usually charged as a Class A misdemeanor, but Illinois law allows prosecutors to charge felony DUI when certain aggravating factors—such as prior offenses, injuries, or a minor in the vehicle—are present. What many people do not realize, however, is the financial fallout that emerges long before a conviction ever occurs.

Chicago drivers typically expect to face fines, towing fees, and attorney’s fees, but the real cost of even a single DUI goes far beyond the courtroom. Insurance premiums, monitoring devices, reinstatement costs, lost wages, transportation expenses, and professional consequences can continue for years. I routinely speak with clients who believe they understand what a DUI will cost them, only to learn that the expenses are multiplied by mandatory requirements under Illinois law. A DUI is one of the most financially damaging misdemeanor cases a person can face, especially in a city like Chicago where administrative fees and local penalties add up quickly.