People all over Illinois receive citations for a variety of traffic offenses, and they typically have the right to appear in court to contest the charges. While many people choose to represent themselves in these cases, it can be important for a person to consider a lawyer in some situations.

The potential need to secure legal representation often depends on a driver’s unique personal situation and needs.

Different Needs for Different Drivers

Drivers who receive citations may want to hire an attorney so they can have peace of mind that their citation is being handled correctly and they will have a better chance at the most favorable outcome. This may include dismissal of charges or amendments to the ticket.

In 49 out of the 50 U.S. states, the legal blood alcohol content limit is .08 percent. When an individual is caught driving with a blood alcohol content above this limit, they are considered to be driving under the influence and can face criminal charges. For commercial drivers, the limit is just 0.05 percent alcohol. The amount of alcohol that it takes to be over the legal limit varies from person to person. Many different factors affect BAC, including body weight, the amount of alcohol consumed, food consumption, and the rate of alcohol consumption. For some people, it may only take two or three drinks to be over the legal limit.

However, understanding when a person is legally intoxicated is not this straightforward. In some cases, a defendant may be charged with DUI even if their BAC was below the legal limit when they were initially stopped by law enforcement. This is because BAC can continue to rise after consumption while still in the body, leading to an increased reading when tested at a later time. This phenomenon is known as “rising blood alcohol,” and it is sometimes used as a defense for DUI cases in court.

In Illinois, one of the most common reasons that a person's driver's license is revoked is a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI). When a license is revoked, the license holder is prohibited from driving any motor vehicle. Driving with a revoked license is considered a Class A misdemeanor criminal offense in Illinois. Penalties include steep fines, community service, or even jail time.

Fortunately, the state of Illinois gives drivers a chance to regain either full or partial driving privileges after a revocation. If you want to reinstate your license after it was revoked, you will need to complete the steps required by the Illinois Secretary of State and attend a reinstatement hearing. Here are five tips to improve your chances of reinstating your driver's license after a revocation.

The more a truck weighs, the more damage the truck could potentially cause in an accident. Extremely heavy vehicles can also cause damage to roadways. Consequently, Illinois state law limits how much cargo a commercial truck such as a semi-truck can haul.

While the reasons for weight limitations are generally sound, the consequences of operating an overweight commercial vehicle can feel exorbitant. If the truck is found to be overweight – carrying more cargo than allowed by law – then the driver and his or her company can face significant fines. Depending on how far the truck is over its legal weight limit, the truck driver may even be required to unload some of its cargo in order to remain compliant.

Penalties for Exceeding Truck Weight Limitations

In Illinois, the fine associated with an overweight truck depends on how much the truck and cargo weigh above the limit. For example, operating a truck that exceeds the weight limitation by 2,000 lbs. is only a $100 fine, but the fine increases the heavier the truck and cargo are. Trucks that exceed the weight limitation by 5,001 lbs. or more are fined $1,500 at minimum. There are also additional fines for companies that receive four or more overweight violations within a one-year period.

With the new year comes multiple new laws and regulations in Illinois. One of the most significant pieces of legislation is the most recent amendment to the Illinois is the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T Act). Among many other important provisions, the Act limits when the state may suspend a person’s driver’s license.

Changes Being Implemented to Illinois Driver’s License Suspension Laws

In Illinois, a person's driver's license can be suspended for many different reasons. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, having too many driving violations or points on their license, and being involved in a hit-and-run accident are some of the most common reasons for suspension. The length of time a license is suspended varies depending on the violation but can range from six months to several years. During a period of suspension, it is illegal to drive and doing so can result in serious consequences, such as an extended suspension or even jail time.

The SAFE-T Act reduces the circumstances in which a person may have their license suspended. As of January 1, 2023, an individual can no longer face license suspension for: