Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Chicago’s Enforcement of Underage Drinking and Driving Laws
Chicago’s streets are among the busiest in the Midwest, with traffic from commuters, visitors, and college students flowing through neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Lincoln Park, and Wicker Park every day. Law enforcement officers patrol these areas closely, and when it comes to drivers under 21, Illinois takes a strict approach. Under the Zero Tolerance Law, even a minimal amount of alcohol detected in a young driver’s system can trigger serious penalties.
As a Chicago DUI lawyer, I’ve represented many young clients who never imagined that one mistake—like having a drink at a party before driving home—could turn into a criminal case. Illinois’ Zero Tolerance Law (625 ILCS 5/11-501.8) allows officers to suspend the license of any driver under 21 who operates a vehicle with any measurable alcohol concentration. This applies even when the amount of alcohol is below the adult legal limit of 0.08%.
