If you’ve accumulated multiple traffic tickets in Joliet and Will County, understanding Illinois’s point system is critical to avoiding license suspension or revocation. The Illinois Secretary of State tracks every moving violation conviction, assigns points based on severity, and automatically suspends driving privileges when thresholds are exceeded. As a Joliet license reinstatement attorney with over 20 years of experience including my time as a former Will County prosecutor, I’ve helped hundreds of drivers challenge traffic violations, vacate convictions, and restore licenses after point-based suspensions. Many Joliet residents don’t realize that three traffic tickets within 12 months trigger automatic suspension regardless of how minor violations seem.
Illinois Point System Basics for Adult Drivers
Illinois law requires the Secretary of State to suspend licenses when drivers accumulate three or more moving violation convictions within any 12-month period under 625 ILCS 5/6-206. The number of convictions triggers suspension, but total points determine suspension length. Points range from 5 points for minor speeding to 55 points for reckless driving. For drivers 21 and older with no prior suspensions in seven years: 15 to 44 points results in 2-month suspension, 45 to 74 points means 3 months, 75 to 89 points triggers 6 months, 90 to 99 points leads to 9 months, and 100 or more points causes 12-month suspension. If you’ve had one prior suspension within seven years, suspension lengths double. These suspensions are automatic once the third conviction is entered.
Common Traffic Violations and Their Point Values
Understanding which violations carry the highest points helps Joliet drivers recognize when they’re approaching dangerous thresholds. Speeding violations vary dramatically: 1 to 10 mph over carries 5 points, 11 to 14 mph over is 15 points, 15 to 25 mph over is 20 points, and 26 mph or more over is 50 points classified as aggravated speeding. Running red lights carries 20 points. Following too closely is 10 points. Improper lane usage is 10 points. Failure to yield is 20 points. Reckless driving carries 55 points. Will County roads including Interstate 80, Interstate 55, and Route 30 through Joliet see frequent speeding enforcement. Two speeding tickets for 20 mph over plus one red light violation totals 90 points, triggering 9-month suspension.
Special Rules for Drivers Under 21
Under 625 ILCS 5/6-206, drivers under 21 face suspension after only two moving violation convictions within any 24-month period instead of three convictions in 12 months. Additionally, if a driver under 21 receives a suspension then gets another conviction after suspension ends but before turning 21, a second suspension triggers automatically. Young drivers in Joliet attending college or working entry-level jobs face particular vulnerability to losing licenses essential for employment and education.
What Triggers the Secretary of State Suspension Notice
Courts report convictions to the Secretary of State electronically within days of the court date. The system automatically flags driving records when three or more convictions occur within 12 months. A Notice of Suspension is mailed to the driver’s address on file, typically arriving 10 to 15 days after the triggering conviction. The notice specifies the effective suspension date, usually 45 days from the notice date, and lists convictions and points. Many drivers miss these notices because they’ve moved without updating their address, leading to suspended licenses they don’t know about until stopped by police and charged with driving on a suspended license.
Legal Options Before Suspension Takes Effect
The critical window for preventing suspension occurs between receiving the third ticket and conviction being entered. The most effective strategy involves challenging one or more traffic tickets before conviction through motion to vacate, motion to dismiss, or negotiating court supervision. Court supervision is a special disposition under Illinois law where the judge supervises your compliance with conditions but does not enter a conviction if you complete supervision successfully. Traffic violations resolved through supervision don’t count as convictions for suspension purposes and don’t add points. In Will County courts, experienced traffic attorneys can often negotiate supervision for first-time offenders.
Motion to Vacate Prior Convictions
Even after receiving a Notice of Suspension, you may have options to remove suspension by vacating one or more prior convictions. If you paid a traffic ticket without appearing in court, you may have grounds to reopen the case and request court supervision instead. A motion to vacate must be filed in the court where the original conviction occurred, typically the Will County Circuit Court at 14 W Jefferson Street for Joliet residents. The motion must demonstrate good cause such as lack of notice, mistake, newly discovered evidence, or fraud. If granted, the conviction is removed retroactively. When the Secretary of State recalculates your record without that conviction, you may no longer meet the suspension threshold. You typically have only 90 days to file such motions.
Reinstatement Hearings After Suspension
If your suspension takes effect and you serve the required period, reinstatement requires a hearing with the Illinois Secretary of State. For suspensions based solely on traffic violation points with no DUI or drug-related offenses, you typically qualify for an informal hearing at the Joliet office at 17 N Ottawa Street. You present documentation showing you’ve served the suspension period, paid the reinstatement fee ($70), obtained SR-22 insurance if required, and completed any remedial driving courses ordered. The hearing officer reviews your documents and driving record, asks questions about your driving history, and makes a recommendation within 90 days.
Insurance Consequences of Point-Based Suspensions
Traffic violation points dramatically increase auto insurance premiums. Insurance companies view high point totals as indicators of risky driving. A driver with three speeding convictions can see premiums double or triple, costing thousands annually. When applying for reinstatement, you must file SR-22 insurance, a certificate proving you maintain minimum liability coverage. SR-22 insurance costs significantly more than standard policies and must be maintained for three years after reinstatement. Any lapse during the SR-22 period triggers another automatic suspension.
Employment Impact of License Suspension
In Joliet and Will County, where many residents commute to Chicago or hold jobs requiring driving, license suspension creates immediate employment crises. Workers who drive for a living including delivery drivers, truck drivers, sales representatives, and service technicians face job termination when licenses are suspended. Public transportation options in Will County are limited. Driving on a suspended license is a Class A misdemeanor for non-DUI suspensions under 625 ILCS 5/6-303, carrying up to one year in jail and $2,500 in fines. A conviction extends your suspension an additional period equal to the original suspension.
Restricted Driving Permits for Traffic Suspensions
Some drivers suspended for traffic violations may qualify for Restricted Driving Permits allowing limited driving during suspension. RDPs permit driving for specific purposes including employment, medical treatment, education, and court-ordered activities. To obtain an RDP, you must demonstrate undue hardship through documentation like employment letters confirming driving requirements or medical records showing ongoing treatment needs. RDPs typically allow driving 6 days per week up to 12 hours per day within specific areas.
Immediate Steps After Receiving Suspension Notice
When you receive a Notice of Suspension, immediate action maximizes your options. First, verify the convictions listed are accurate. Second, calculate whether you can file a motion to vacate one conviction before the suspension effective date. You typically have 45 days between notice and suspension taking effect. Third, schedule consultation with a Joliet traffic attorney to evaluate which convictions might be vacated. Fourth, determine whether you qualify for an RDP and begin gathering hardship documentation. Fifth, notify your auto insurance company of the pending suspension.
Protecting Your License Before It’s Too Late
The best strategy for avoiding license suspension is addressing traffic tickets immediately rather than simply paying them. Every ticket you pay becomes a conviction on your record. Two paid tickets put you one violation away from automatic suspension. Before paying any traffic ticket, consult with a Joliet traffic attorney about whether supervision, dismissal, or reduction to a non-moving violation is possible. Non-moving violations don’t add points and don’t count toward the three-conviction threshold. If you’re approaching the three-conviction threshold, be extremely cautious and consider defensive driving courses proactively.
If you’ve received multiple traffic tickets in Joliet or Will County and are concerned about license suspension, or if you’ve already received a suspension notice, contact the Law Office of Jack L. Zaremba immediately for a free consultation. Visit our contact page or call 815-740-4025.