Traffic Tickets

Racial profiling by Illinois police? Statistics show minorities ticketed more than whites

August 31, 2012
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Chicago radio station WBBM recently reported that statistics show that during traffic stops, minorities are charged with traffic offenses disproportionately. Depending on their sources, statistics can be misleading. But these numbers come from a source that even prosecutors and judges would acknowledge as an authority: the Illinois Department of Transportation. A WBBM Newsradio analysis of […]

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New interview with Associated Press on Illinois House Bill

March 13, 2012
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The Associated Press interviewed me for a story on March 10, 2012 about a bill proposed in Springfield that would make a significant change to the Illinois Vehicle Code. Read the article. The story teaches a lesson about Illinois criminal law. House Bill 5099, sponsored by Representative Jerry Costello, D-Smithton, would amend two sections of […]

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New seat belt law in Illinois could increase profiling in traffic stops

February 9, 2012
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Illinois lawmakers made a significant change to the vehicle code that is effective in 2012. Starting January 1, 2012, anyone who drives or rides in a motor vehicle in the state of Illinois will be required to wear a seat belt. This was not always the law. Prior to 2012, a backseat passenger in Illinois […]

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New laws in Illinois increase penalties for speeding tickets

July 3, 2010
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The laws against speeding in Illinois got tougher on July 2, 2010 when Governor Pat Quinn signed a new law aimed at persons driving 100 mph or faster. The law has two important parts: Speeding 31 mph over the Limit is a Class B Misdemeanor Speeding 31 mph in excess of the limit is no […]

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The Secretary of State can suspend a person’s driver’s license for certain offenses

May 13, 2010
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The law in Illinois says that the Secretary of State has authority to suspend a person’s driver’s license upon a report of a conviction for certain offenses. The information is reported to the Secretary of State by the Circuit Clerk for each county courthouse. The clerk’s computer system is linked with the Secretary of State […]

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What is the law on texting and driving in Illinois?

April 11, 2010
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The legislature passed a law in Illinois in 2009 that prohibits texting while driving. The law went into effect on January 1, 2010. The law is set forth in the Illinois Vehicle Code at 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2. The statute prohibits more than just texting, however. A driver cannot text, instant message, email, or surf the […]

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I had an accident and now I have a traffic court date. Is a guilty plea going to affect my insurance?

April 8, 2010
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A driver who is ticketed after a motor vehicle accident is confronted with two important issues: How will the ticket affect the person’s driver’s license? Will the ticket have consequences for that person’s insurance? The issue of whether the traffic ticket will result in a suspended or revoked license is addressed in other articles in […]

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What is the law on failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident in Illinois?

March 28, 2010
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After a traffic accident, the person who the police officer believes is at fault will get a ticket for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident is a petty offense. A petty offense in Illinois is punishable by fine only, with a maximum fine of $1,000. […]

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What is Illinois law on speeding in a work zone?

March 13, 2010
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A speeding ticket in a work zone (e.g., construction zone) is an expensive offense under Illinois traffic law, and can result in a suspended driver’s license. The law is set out in the state vehicle code at 625 ILCS 5/11-605.1. The law provides that a ticket for speeding in a work zone has a mandatory […]

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I got a ticket for transporting an open container of alcohol. What are the possible penalties?

March 3, 2010
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Transportation of an open container of alcohol in Illinois is a petty offense punishable by fine only. Most petty offenses in the Illinois Vehicle Code have a maximum fine of $1,000. The offense is governed by 625 ILCS 5/11-502. That statute provides that it is unlawful to transport, carry, or possess any alcoholic liquor within […]

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