Drinking and Driving Laws in Illinois
The State of Illinois drunk driving laws start with the .08 percentage blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit. Like all states across the country Illinois prohibits driving with a .08 percent BAC or above. If you are under 21 years of age in Illinois there is a "Zero" tolerance for alcohol and driving. The only exceptions are for individuals who consume alcohol as part of a religious ceremony or in prescribed medicine containing alcohol. Even with the exceptions, driving with a BAC of .08 is the limit in all cases.
How many drinks does it take to reach the legal limit in Illinois?
There isn't one calculation that works for all drivers. Variables such as body-fat percentage, age, weight, genetics and number of drinks consumed over a given time-frame all contribute to the DUI formula. Studies have show that some individuals could have as much as a .05 percentage increase in their BAC for each drink consumed. Given that number, it would take very few drinks to become legally impaired in the state of Illinois.
The best answer is not to drink and drive . The State of Illinois has strict laws for drunk driving, and when you drink and drive in Illinois, you risk your freedom, finances and your future.
Drunk Driving Laws in Illinois
State of Illinois BAC Laws:
All drivers with a BAC of .08 or higher.
Under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher.
Commercial Vehicle Driver with a BAC of .04 or higher.
Illinois Drunk Driving Fines & Penalties
First Drunk Driving Conviction
If you are convicted for drunk driving in the State of Illinois, the first offense will result in a minimum 1 year suspension of your drivers license. In addition, you could be imprisoned for up to one year and fined up to $1,000. If the driver was transporting a person under the age of 16 at the time of the violation, is subject to an additional mandatory minimum fine of $1,000, an additional mandatory minimum 140 hours of community service, which shall include 40 hours of community service in a program benefiting children, and an additional 2 days of imprisonment.
Second Drunk Driving Conviction (Within 5 years of the Previous)
For your second drunk driving conviction in Illinois, you will receive a Minimum 3 year suspension of your drivers license. You will also receive a mandatory 48 hours in jail or 10 days of community service. You may receive up to 1 year in jail for your second drunk driving conviction in Illinois and a maximum fine of $1,000. If, at the time of the second violation the person was transporting a person under the age of 16, the driver is subject to an additional 10 days of imprisonment, an additional mandatory minimum fine of $1,000, and an additional mandatory minimum 140 hours of community service, which shall include 40 hours of community service in a program benefiting children.
Third Drunk Driving Conviction
If you are unfortunate enough to receive your 3rd drunk driving conviction in Illinois you will receive a minimum 6 year loss of your driving privileges and you may be imprisoned for up to 3 years. In addition, you will also receive a maximum fine of $10,000. If, at the time of the third violation, the person was transporting a person under the age of 16, the driver is guilty of a Class 4 felony and shall receive, in addition to any other penalty imposed, an additional mandatory fine of $1,000, an additional mandatory 140 hours of community service, which shall include 40 hours in a program benefiting children, and a mandatory minimum 30 days of imprisonment.
The Implied Consent Law in Illinois
The implied consent law in Illinois means that any person that drives in the State of Illinois agrees to submit to a chemical test of their Urine, Blood or Breath. Refusal to submit to a chemical test may result in a similar penalty to the drunk driving laws listed above. Additional Information on Drunk Driving Laws, Penalties and Fines in Illinois
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