Drunk Driving Laws and Penalties in Illinois

 Posted on January 12, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Driving while drunk is a criminal offense in the state of Illinois. As such, if you are pulled over because you have been found to be operating a motor vehicle with alcohol in your system, you could be subjected to an array of penalties for breaking the law. 

Illinois Laws Regarding Driving While Drunk 

In Illinois, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) equal to or greater than 0.08% is considered intoxicated per se.  In other words, anyone driving a vehicle with a blood-alcohol concentration that exceeds 0.079% is considered to be driving while drunk. However, it is possible to face arrest for driving under the influence even if your BAC is under the legal limit. It is also illegal to operate a vehicle if you are impaired by prescription medications or controlled substances. 

Individuals who are operating commercial vehicles, such as school bus drivers, with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.04% are also legally drunk in the eyes of Illinois law. If you are under the age of twenty-one and operating any type of motor vehicle in Illinois, you can face penalties under the Illinois Zero Tolerance policy if your blood-alcohol concentration exceeds zero. 

The Penalties for Driving Drunk in Illinois 

If you are found to be driving while drunk in Illinois, you may potentially face a myriad of penalties as consequences for your actions. A common outcome of drunk driving is a DUI charge. In addition to becoming part of your driving record, a DUI often coincides with a hefty fee and administrative consequences. First-time DUI convictions are usually punished by a one-year driver’s license suspension.  Depending on the circumstances of the DUI offense and your past criminal history, you may even face jail time for drunk driving.  

Contact a Will County DUI Defense Attorney Today 

It can be difficult to navigate the legal system when faced with a DUI charge. If you are unsure about what to do next or you are in need of legal representation in the face of a DUI charge, contact a Will County DUI defense lawyer for advice about how to act in your best interest moving forward. By calling 815-727-0100, you can schedule a free consultation with McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC today. 

Source: 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-501