Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Chicago DUI Arrests and the Urgent 10-Day Deadline Most Drivers Don’t Know About
Chicago is known for its dense traffic patterns, busy police presence, nightlife corridors, and constant enforcement of DUI laws. Drivers are stopped on the Kennedy, Lake Shore Drive, Western Avenue, and countless neighborhood streets every night. A Chicago DUI arrest happens quickly, often beginning with what seems like a minor observation by police. One moment a person is driving home from dinner in the West Loop or leaving a gathering in Lakeview, and the next they are standing outside their vehicle participating in field sobriety tests under flashing blue lights.
A DUI arrest in Chicago triggers two separate legal actions: the criminal charge and the Statutory Summary Suspension, which automatically suspends a driver’s license unless they act within 10 days. This suspension comes from 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1, the implied consent statute. The arresting officer completes a sworn report and sends it to the Illinois Secretary of State, initiating the suspension process. If the driver refuses chemical testing, the suspension is longer. If they submit to testing and fail, the suspension still takes effect unless challenged.
