Cook County

How Does Illinois Address Possession of a Controlled Substance?

July 29, 2022
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The unlawful possession of illegal drugs is an exceedingly common charge in Illinois. Referred to legally as controlled substances, possession crimes involving these drugs can be extremely serious for an alleged offender. A guilty verdict can result in stringent penalties under Illinois law, up to and including jail or prison time and hefty criminal fines. […]

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I got a ticket for driving while suspended in Illinois and this is my second offense. What happens now?

April 27, 2022
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NOTE: This page reflects new material to explain how the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (Public Act 101-0027) adjusted Illinois DUI laws on January 1, 2020. Since that time, cannabis is legal to possess and use recreationally. But it remains an Illinois DUI offense to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by cannabis. Illinois law […]

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Illinois felonies result in conviction despite fact that offender has no criminal background

April 21, 2022
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NOTE: This article was updated to reflect 2019 changes to Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-593. This change became effective on December 4, 2019, updating various statutes addressing marijuana and related offenses. A person with no experience in the criminal justice system will see that the courts make a distinction between felony and […]

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I got a DUI and it is my third offense. What are the penalties in Illinois?

January 5, 2022
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NOTE: This article was updated to changes to Illinois DUI laws under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (Illinois House Bill 1438). After January 1, 2020, in-state residents and visitors are allowed to purchase and use cannabis recreationally. But they must refrain from operating a motor vehicle while impaired by cannabis. Or they can face […]

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How soon can I file a petition to rescind statutory summary suspension for an Illinois DUI?

November 15, 2021
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A person arrested for DUI in Illinois has a right to a hearing on the summary suspension of his driver’s license within 30 days of filing a petition to rescind.

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What are the penalties in Illinois for driving on a suspended or revoked license?

November 12, 2021
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NOTE: The article below features new information to explain the impact of Public Act 100-1004, which became Illinois law on January 1, 2019. After that date, driving on a suspended or revoked license is subject to Uniform Traffic Citations and new penalties for certain violations. Penalties If you drive while your license is suspended because […]

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First felony offense eligible for deferred prosecution under Offender Initiative Program

September 24, 2021
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NOTE: This article includes new subject matter to elucidate the impact of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (Public Act 101-0027). When this Act became effective on January 1, 2020, cannabis became legal for recreational possession and use in Illinois. The Offender Initiative Program Under Illinois law, a person who is charged with a felony […]

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Having contact with victim in domestic battery is a crime

July 15, 2021
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NOTE: This page includes new information to account for the passage of Public Act 101-223 (effective January 1, 2020) and Public Act 101-651 (effective August 7, 2020). Since the aforementioned effective dates, Illinois law features new conditions for aggravated battery, which can be considered a previous conviction in domestic battery cases. Domestic battery arrest After […]

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720 ILCS 5/24-1.6: Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon Under Illinois Law

May 18, 2021
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NOTE: This article was refreshed to include new information on Illinois criminal law after passage of Public Act 101-440. This Act took effect on January 1, 2020, adjusting the availability of good behavior sentence reductions in certain situations. The State of Illinois has some of the nation’s toughest laws on firearms. It is tragic, because […]

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Cook County to host annual expungement summit June 2, 2012

May 1, 2012
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All persons who have ever been arrested in Cook County should be aware of the free expungement seminar scheduled for June 2, 2012. Under Illinois law, any person who is arrested and charged with a crime has a record with the Illinois State Police that can be disseminated nationwide. The record of the arrest remains […]

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