SR22 Insurance Filing In Illinois

Reader’s Question:

They took my driver’s license away because of my DUI and now that the revocation period is almost over, I need to have a new driver’s license here in Illinois but I also need SR22 filing, how do I do that?

Angelo

Waukegan, IL

Because your Illinois driver’s license has been revoked, you have to work your way in getting SR22 insurance filing so that you can have a new driver’s license. SR22 insurance is a form that is being added to a car insurance policy and is being required for those who have been convicted for driving under the influence (DUI) or for those who have had a driver’s license suspension or revocation for some other reasons.

SR22 insurance filing needs to be done by your car insurance company to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you are not currently insured, you have to find a car insurance company that does SR22 insurance filing. You may get a hard time finding a car insurance company that will insure you because of your status as a high risk driver, but there surely is one that would be willing to do SR22 insurance filing for you but at a higher price than what you used to pay for your car insurance.

Through SR22 insurance filing, your car insurance company guarantees the DMV that you have at least auto liability insurance. Remember that you have to maintain this for a specific amount of time because if not, the DMV would have to suspend your driver’s license until you show them that you have SR22 insurance filing again.

DUI Charge – Drivers License Suspension in Illinois?

Reader’s Question:

My brother’s license has been suspended after being arrested for his first DUI in Palatine, Illinois because he failed the blood alcohol test. How long would the suspension last and if he will be convicted for DUI, will he have a separate suspension on his license?

Sheila
Palatine, IL

After your brother’s DUI arrest in Palatine, Illinois for failing the blood alcohol test, his driver’s license is automatically suspended for three months under the Statutory Summary Suspension Law. At the time of his DUI arrest, the officer took his driver’s license and gave him a 45-day temporary license. Since this is his first DUI offense, the three-month suspension would begin on the 46th day after his DUI arrest. With the help of a qualified DUI lawyer, he could appeal to the court to receive a Judicial Driving Permit, which will allow him to drive to and from work and any required education courses he must take as a result of his DUI arrest.

If he will be convicted for the DUI charge, he would have a separate suspension on his driver’s license. In the State of Illinois, he would have a minimum of one year license suspension since this is his first DUI offense. The policy of the Illinois Secretary of State’s office is not to fully reinstate an otherwise eligible motorist until they have first been issued a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) and drove on it without incident for at least nine months.

What Are The Possible DUI Penalties in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

A friend of mine was arrested for DUI in Skokie, Illinois for the first time and from what I know, they have a strong case against him. Could you please educate me on what he could be facing because of his DUI charge, what are the penalties involved?

Aldrin

Skokie, IL

After your friend was arrested for DUI in Skokie, Illinois, he would be facing two different cases; one is an administrative driver’s license suspension that starts automatically, unless appealed and the other one is on the court system. He would need to request for a DMV hearing which should be done quickly after the DUI arrest so that he can be able to appeal against the suspension of his driver’s license. He would also have to make sure that he hires a qualified DUI lawyer to help him with his appeal to ensure that it is received in time and that all of the necessary paperworks are filled in correctly.

If he tries to do all of these by himself, he is risking making a serious mistake and losing his without the chance for appeal. Aside from that, if convicted for DUI, he would have penalties that are truly unacceptable. Since this is his first DUI offense, it would be considered as Class A misdemeanor charge. If he gets convicted, he can expect to have consequences such as fines of up to $2,500, jail time of up to 364 days, potential Victim Impact Program requirement, alcohol evaluation with potential counselling, potential community service and any other consequence deemed necessary by the judge.

DUI Breath Test Refusal in Illinois Traffic Stop

Reader’s Question:

I was charged with DUI here in Illinois two days ago. I refused to take any blood alcohol test. I was advised by a friend about the 10-day rule before they could even suspend my license. What happens if I am unable to do this?

Lisa

Chicago, IL

Thanks for asking, Lisa.

In the state of Illinois, if the driver refused to a blood alcohol test, or if submitted and have a breathalyzer result of 0.08 or higher for age 21 or more, .04 or higher if driving a commercial vehicle, or .02 or higher if under age 21, the state will attempt to suspend your license for one to five years. In most case, this attempt to take away your right to drive will occur before trial. This would be automatically entered against you unless you file an “appeal” letter within 10 business days after the date of your arrest.

You will have an administrative driver’s license suspension for one to five years before you even go to trial on your DUI offense if you don’t request a hearing. You have a fighting chance to keep driving until your DUI case comes to court if you were able to request the hearing.