The Clerk of the Circuit Court is required by law to report convictions for most violations to the Illinois Secretary of State. These may affect an individual's privilege to drive a car. The Illinois Secretary of State upon receipt of a notice of conviction for certain offenses is required to revoke a person's driving privileges. In some instances a conviction grants the Illinois Secretary of State discretion to suspend driving privileges. Different rules apply to drivers under age 21.
The following is a summary of actions the Illinois Secretary of State can take upon receipt of a report of conviction from the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
These are not complete lists of all violations which will result in a license revocation or suspension. Full information can be obtained from the Illinois Secretary of State.
If you need to learn why your license is suspended or revoked, contact the Illinois Secretary of State.
Mandatory Revocation
Persons convicted of the following traffic offenses will have their driving privileges revoked:
- reckless homicide
- driving under the influence (625 ILCS 5/11-501a)
- leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death
- three offenses of reckless driving within 12 months
- drag racing
- aggravated fleeing and eluding the police
- operating a commercial motor vehicle when driving privileges are revoked, suspended, canceled or subject to disqualification
- persons under age 21 with two convictions for possession or transportation of alcohol in a motor vehicle regardless of time period
Contact the Illinois Secretary of State to learn information concerning the length of revocation and the procedure to be followed to obtain reinstatement.
Discretionary Suspension
Illinois law allows the Illinois Secretary of State to suspend the driving privilege of drivers convicted of the following offenses:
- any offense for which a revocation is required
- three moving violations within a 12-month period
- permitting unlawful or fraudulent use of a driver's license
- committing an offense in another state which would be grounds for revocation or suspension in Illinois
- possession, display or attempted fraudulent use of a license, permit or identification card issued to another
- driving without a license
- driving on an invalid license
- driving a type of vehicle for which a license has not been issued (for example, driving a motorcycle without a motorcycle license)
- fleeing or attempting to elude the police
- leaving the scene of a property damage accident involving more than $1,000.00 in damages
- illegal operation of a motor vehicle resulting in a death or injury requiring immediate treatment in a medical facility or doctor's office
- two violations of possession or transportation of alcohol in a motor vehicle
- refusing to submit to chemical testing after an arrest for driving under the influence
- submission to chemical testing which reveals a blood alcohol content of .08 or greater or any amount of drug substance or compound resulting from the unlawful consumption of cannabis or a controlled substance
- alteration, fictional or fraudulent use of handicapped license plates or parking placard
Drivers Under age 21
In addition to the violations listed above, if you are under age 21, the Illinois Secretary of State has the discretion to suspend your driving privileges if you are found guilty of the following offenses:
- transportation or possession of open alcohol in a motor vehicle;
- two moving violations in a 24-month period; and
- possession of alcohol under the age of 21.