How Illinois Traffic Tickets Work
The Court Case
Every moving violation in Illinois is a court case with a docket number. Your case can end in a dismissal, amendment to a non-moving violation, court supervision, or a conviction. Supervision keeps your public driving record clean if you complete the terms, usually fines and no new tickets.
- First appearance: a quick status call where your attorney can appear for you, receive discovery, and negotiate.
- Misdemeanor vs. petty offense: most tickets are petty (fine-only). High-end speeding is a misdemeanor (26–34 mph over = Class B; 35+ mph over = Class A), which can carry jail exposure without a lawyer.
- Typical resolutions: dismissal (officer no-show or proof issues), amendment to a non-moving violation, or supervision to avoid a conviction.
License Consequences
Illinois uses a point and suspension system. Points are assigned to each moving violation, and the Secretary of State uses the number of convictions within a look-back period to determine suspension length.
- Age 21 and over: three moving convictions in twelve months can trigger a suspension, with length depending on total points.
- Under 21: two moving convictions in twenty-four months can suspend driving privileges.
- CDL drivers: supervision still counts as a conviction for CDL purposes. Serious violations (15+ over, reckless driving, following too closely, texting in a CMV, etc.) can lead to disqualification.
- Automatic or mandatory actions: some offenses, such as Scott’s Law, passing a school bus, or leaving the scene, can carry enhanced penalties or mandatory suspensions if convicted.
Insurance Impact
Insurers regularly review motor vehicle records. A single conviction for speeding, improper lane usage, or failure to yield can raise premiums for three to five years. Keeping a conviction off your record—through dismissal, amendment, or supervision—helps protect your rates.
- High-impact convictions: high-end speeding, reckless driving, and at-fault signal or sign violations.
- Lower-impact outcomes: non-moving amendments, such as equipment or parking tickets, and completed supervision.
Why You Need a Lawyer
An experienced Illinois traffic attorney can appear for you, manage filings and court dates, and negotiate with prosecutors who know your driving history. We review the stop, radar or LIDAR evidence, signage, and officer vantage, and pursue outcomes that keep your record clean.
- We appear so you don’t have to: most petty tickets can be handled without you missing work.
- Negotiation leverage: clean record, proof of insurance or repairs, defensive driving completion, and discovery issues.
- Post-case follow-through: we verify the clerk entry, Secretary of State record update, and insurance cleanup.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Penalties and procedures vary by county and judge.