The statutes that control Illinois DUI cases
DUI in Illinois is defined by 625 ILCS 5/11-501, and the chemical-testing rules sit in 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1. Both are published in the official state code at ilga.gov, which is the only version that governs — summaries elsewhere, including ours, can lag amendments.
Statutory text, definitions, BAC thresholds and sentencing ranges.
What refusing a breath, blood or urine test costs you.
Statute at a glance
Illinois DUI law at a glance
Sourced from the Illinois code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.
- Offense name
- DUI (Illinois)
- Controlling statute
- 625 ILCS 5/11-501
- Implied consent
- 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1
- Per se BAC limit
- 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
- Licence hearing deadline
- 90 days after arrest
- Prior-offense lookback
- 5 years
- First-offense fine
- $500–$2,500
- First-offense jail exposure
- up to 1 year
- Licence suspension
- 6 months
- Ignition interlock
- Required on a first offense in most cases
- Trial court
- the Circuit Court
- High-risk filing
- SR-22 for 3 years
The statutory summary suspension starts on the 46th day; a BAIID normally allows driving relief.
First-offense exposure under 625 ILCS 5/11-501: $500–$2,500, up to 1 year of jail exposure, and a 6 months licence suspension. The statutory summary suspension starts on the 46th day; a BAIID normally allows driving relief.
What 625 ILCS 5/11-501 actually says
- 625 ILCS 5/11-501(a)(1) — driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.
- 625 ILCS 5/11-501(a) — driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or intoxicating compounds to a degree that renders the person incapable of driving safely.
- 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d) — the circumstances, such as prior convictions or resulting injury, that make the offense aggravated DUI, a felony.
Charging documents cite the exact subsection, so check which one appears on your citation. The posted text on ilga.gov carries an effective date — amendments passed after it are not yet reflected.
Illinois ZIP codes covered
These Illinois ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.
Counties and cities using these Illinois resources
Counties
Other Illinois official resources
Frequently asked questions
- What statute defines DUI in Illinois?
- 625 ILCS 5/11-501 is the controlling DUI statute in Illinois. You can read the current text on the official code site at ilga.gov.
- What is the Illinois implied-consent law?
- 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1 is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful DUI arrest.