Illinois Traffic Violation Records

Traffic records in Illinois are maintained by the Office of the Secretary of State. Traffic violation records include documents related to the violation of traffic laws in the state. Some of these violations include reckless driving, DUI offenses, failure to yield, running red lights or stop signs, driving without a valid license, and speeding tickets. Note that records of traffic violations considered criminal offenses are held in the custody of the court where such cases are heard.

A large percentage of traffic records in Illinois relate to violations of speed limits. In the state, approximately 9% of all drivers have a prior speeding ticket violation on their driving record. This 9% figure indicates that speeding violations are lower in the Prairie State than the national average of 10.54%. Accumulating traffic violations may adversely affect a person's driving record, leading to increased insurance premiums, fines, and potential license suspensions.

Are Traffic Violations Records Public in Illinois?

Court records are generally considered public in Illinois. While court records in the state are not subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Illinois Supreme Court Rules ensure that the court system remains transparent and accountable to citizens by making their records accessible to the public.

For more serious traffic offenses, such as DUI or reckless driving, which are considered misdemeanors or felonies, records are typically available through the local circuit courts in Illinois. Illinois circuit courts handle traffic-related criminal cases, and their records are generally open to the public unless sealed or expunged by a judge.

How To Look Up Traffic Tickets in Illinois?

You may look up traffic tickets in Illinois using a search tool on the county clerk's website. Most counts provide a search resource on the clerk's website for the public to conduct a traffic ticket lookup. Usually, accessing traffic ticket information follows these steps:

• Identify the County: Determine the county where the traffic violation was issued. This information is typically found on the citation provided at the time of the offense.
• Visit the County Circuit Clerk's Website: Each county circuit clerk's office maintains records for that court, including traffic violations. For example, if the ticket was issued in Cook County, visit the Cook County clerk of the circuit court's website.
• Use Online Search Tools: On the circuit clerk's website, find the traffic search or online case search tool to perform a traffic ticket search. To search, you may need personal information such as name, driver's license number, ticket number, and ticket date.

Due to the classification of traffic violation records as public records, you may also perform traffic ticket lookups on third-party websites, such as publicrecords.us. Third-party websites collate public information from several sources into their databases.

Where Do I Pay Traffic Violations?

Most Illinois counties, such as Cook County, DuPage County, and Will County allow traffic fines to be paid online through their circuit clerk's website. To pay online, visit the website of the court handling the ticket and provide the required information. Typically, you will need the ticket number and your driver's license number to complete the payment using a credit or debit card.

It may also be possible to pay in person by visiting the circuit clerk's office in the county where the ticket was issued. Hence, you should contact the office of the circuit clerk with jurisdiction over the matter to determine acceptable payment options.

How Much Does It Cost To Request Your Driving Records Online?

Individuals may request their driving records online through the Secretary of State's website or by mail. To obtain your driving record by mail, visit the driving record page of the Illinois Secretary of State website. On the website, you will be required to provide information such as:

• Driver's license number
• Date of birth
• The last four digits of your Social Security number
• Issue and expiration date on your driver's license
• Class of license

Note that you will be required to pay a $21 fee to complete this application online.

Alternatively, you may complete the process by mail by submitting a completed Abstract Request Form to:

It also costs $21 to complete this application by mail.

An Illinois driving record contains three years of driving history information such as traffic violations, convictions, license suspensions or revocations, accident history, and points assessed against the driver's license.

What Are Moving and Non-Moving Violations in Illinois?

Traffic infractions in Illinois may be categorized into moving violations and non-moving violations. The difference between these two violations depends on whether the vehicle was in motion at the time of the offense. If the vehicle is in motion, it is a moving violation, otherwise, it is a non-moving violation

Examples of moving violations include:

• Speeding
• Failure to yield
• Driving under the influence
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Reckless or aggressive driving

Non-moving violations typically involve infractions related to vehicle equipment, parking, or administrative issues. Examples include:

• Parking violations
• Driving with expired or missing registration tags
• Failure to display license plates properly
• Broken or non-functioning vehicle lights

Penalties for moving violations are typically based on the severity of the offense. Minor offenses result in fines, points on the driver's record, and potential insurance rate increases, while more serious infractions, such as DUI or reckless driving, can lead to license suspension, mandatory driving courses, or even jail time.

However, penalties for non-moving violations are usually fines and do not typically add points to a driver's record. However, repeated offenses, such as unpaid parking tickets, may result in vehicle immobilization, additional fines, or suspension of registration.

How Long Does DUI Stay on Your Record in Illinois?

A DUI conviction in Illinois stays on your record permanently. The state considers DUI a serious offense and does not allow it to be sealed or expunged. Illinois records about 160 DUI arrests per 100,000 drivers while its DUI road fatality rate is estimated at 5.5 per 100,000 drivers.

Penalties for DUI offenses in Illinois vary based on the number of prior convictions and specific circumstances:

• First DUI Conviction: Class A misdemeanor; penalties include up to one year of imprisonment, fines up to $2,500, and a minimum one-year revocation of driving privileges.
• Second DUI Conviction: Class A misdemeanor; penalties include mandatory imprisonment of five days or 240 hours of community service, fines up to $2,500, and a minimum five-year revocation of driving privileges if the second offense occurs within 20 years of the first.
• Third DUI Conviction: Class 2 felony; penalties include imprisonment of three to seven years, fines of up to $25,000, and a minimum ten-year revocation of driving privileges.

What Are the Penalties for Breaking the Speed Limit in Illinois?

The following are speed limits in Illinois:

• Urban district alleys: 15 mph
• School zones: 20 mph
• Urban district roadways: 30 mph
• Other highways and roadways outside urban districts: 55 mph
• State highways having a minimum of four lanes outside urban districts: 65 mph
• Interstate highways: 70 mph

Penalties for going over the speed limit in Illinois include the following:

• 1-20 mph over: $120 fine
• 21-25 mph over: $140 fine
• 26-34 mph over: Up to 6 months in jail and fines up to $1,500
• 35 mph or more over: Up to one year in jail and fines of up to $2,500

Note that additional fines apply for specific zones such as school and construction zones. Also, the state adopts a point system where violations add demerit points to driving records as penalties for speed limit violations. Speeding up to 10 mph over the limit adds 5 demerit points, while speeding between 26 and 29 mph over the limit adds 50 demerit points to a driver's driving record. Accumulating too many points may lead to the suspension of the offender's driver's license.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Illinois?

A speeding ticket in Illinois remains on a driver's record for four to five years from the date of the violation. However, if the speeding offense leads to a suspension or revocation, it may stay on your record for a longer period.

How To Appeal A Traffic Ticket?

If you have been issued a traffic ticket in Illinois, you may use the following strategies to fight the ticket:

• Challenge the Officer's Subjective Conclusion: Argue that your actions were "safe and responsible" given the traffic conditions, especially if the officer's view was obstructed or they were multitasking.
• Challenge the Officer's Observations: Use witness statements, diagrams, photographs, and other evidence to cast doubt on the officer's ability to accurately observe the violation.
• Prove Your Conduct Was a "Mistake of Fact": Show that you made an honest and reasonable error due to circumstances beyond your control, such as obscured signs or faded markings.
• Prove Your Conduct Was "Legally Justified": Argue that your actions were justified by the circumstances, such as slowing down to make a lawful turn or swerving to avoid a hazard.
• Prove Your Conduct Was Necessary to Avoid Harm: Demonstrate that you violated the traffic law to avoid immediate danger, such as speeding up to avoid an out-of-control truck or swerving to avoid an obstacle.

You should consider hiring a traffic attorney if you have had multiple traffic citations or are likely to have your driver's license suspended.

How To Resolve an Out-of-State Traffic Ticket?

Being a member of the Driver License Compact (DLC) and the Nonresident Violator Compact (NVC), if you are issued an out-of-state ticket, you may yet face the consequences of your actions in Illinois. The DLC and the NVC are agreements between many states in the United States to share information about traffic violations by non-residents and ensure that they fulfill the obligations of their tickets or citations.

You may contest an out-of-state traffic ticket in the following ways:

• Check the County Court's Website: Visit the court's website in the state where the ticket was issued for information on how to contest the ticket.
• Contest the Ticket by Affidavit: You may be able to contest the ticket by submitting an affidavit, explaining why you believe the ticket should be dismissed.
• Do Not Let the Deadline Pass: Ensure you respond to the ticket before the deadline to avoid additional penalties.
• Call the Local Prosecutor's Office: Contact the prosecutor's office in the issuing state to discuss the ticket and explore options for contesting it.
• Consult a Traffic Ticket Attorney: Hiring a traffic attorney can be beneficial, especially for severe violations. An attorney can negotiate reduced fines, dismiss charges, or amend the violation to a non-moving offense

How Does Illinois Traffic Laws Differ From Other States?

Traffic laws exist in all states in the United States. However, each state has unique laws that are not the same in all other states. Some unique traffic laws contained in theIllinois Vehicle Code include the following:

• Lane Usage and Passing: Drivers must stay in the rightmost lane unless passing a slower vehicle, avoiding an obstruction, or giving space to a stopped vehicle. On two-lane highways, passing is allowed only in designated areas and must be done without speeding.
• Seat Belt Laws: Illinois requires all passengers over the age of eight to wear seat belts, including those in the back seats. This law aims to enhance passenger safety and reduce injuries in the event of an accident.
• Crosswalk Law: Pedestrians in Illinois are afforded the right of way at unmarked and marked crosswalks. Illinois requires motorists to yield to pedestrians crossing the road, whether or not there are traffic control signals.