Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Understanding the Stakes for Future Physicians and Residents in Chicago
Chicago’s hospitals and teaching institutions—Northwestern, Loyola, University of Chicago, and Rush—train thousands of new physicians every year. These residents dedicate their lives to helping patients, working long hours in some of the most demanding environments in the country. Yet one late-night traffic stop on Lake Shore Drive or the Eisenhower Expressway can change everything. A DUI arrest in Illinois does not only threaten your driver’s license—it can put your entire medical career at risk.
Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, it is unlawful to operate or be in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of substances that impair your ability to drive safely. Illinois law treats DUI offenses seriously, even for first-time offenders. A first DUI is a Class A misdemeanor, while subsequent offenses or those involving serious bodily injury or minors in the vehicle can escalate to felony charges.
