How Much Does a DUI Cost in Illinois? 2026

Getting charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Illinois brings more than just a temporary setback. Even a first offense can carry serious and lasting consequences. The financial, legal, and personal costs can follow you for years. This may leave many wondering, “How much does a DUI cost in Illinois?” A DUI attorney at The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC, can help.

The Financial Burden Beyond the Fine

Many people assume a DUI fine is the only cost involved. In reality, the total financial impact is much higher. While the maximum fine for a first offense is $2,500, most cases involve additional court fees, alcohol education programs, and administrative costs.

Insurance rates often increase significantly after a DUI conviction. In some cases, insurance companies cancel coverage entirely. Drivers may need to find high-risk policies, which come with much higher premiums. Over the next several years, this can add thousands of dollars to the total cost.

Legal Penalties and Long-Term Consequences

A first DUI offense in Illinois is typically a Class A misdemeanor. This carries a possible jail sentence of up to one year and a license suspension lasting at least six months. If your blood alcohol concentration was especially high or if other aggravating factors were present, the penalties could be even more severe.

The court may also require you to attend and pay for a court-approved alcohol education or treatment program. These programs take time and can interfere with your work or school schedule. Missing time from your job may affect your income or standing with your employer.

A DUI conviction also becomes part of your permanent criminal record. This can make it harder to qualify for certain jobs, especially those involving driving or positions that require a clean background. Housing applications, college admissions, and even international travel may also become more difficult.

The wide range of consequences that follow a DUI conviction shows why it’s important to take the charge seriously. Simply accepting the charges without exploring your options can lead to long-term setbacks. Taking action early can help you avoid damage that lasts far beyond a single night.

License Suspension and Daily Disruption

Many drivers in Madison County view the actual arrest and potential license suspension as their primary concern. Under Illinois law, your driver’s license is summarily suspended, even before you’ve had an opportunity to defend yourself in court. Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, your license could be suspended as soon as 46 days after you’re arrested for DUI.

The Secretary of State’s office documented 22,146 statutory summary DUI suspensions in 2024. Court dispositions were recorded for 25% (3,645) of these cases as of December 31, 2024.

If you drive to work in Edwardsville and commute to St. Louis every day along Route 157, Route 111, or I-55, you know that life without a driver’s license doesn’t work very well. Driving restrictions will immediately endanger your employment status. You have to find a way to drive to court, get your kids to school, and go to work every day. Rideshare apps and services are expensive, and public transportation is limited in Madison County.

If you are convicted of DUI in Madison County, then your license will be revoked. License revocation is not the same as suspension. Once revoked, your license is terminated until you take affirmative steps to have your driving privilege restored.

• First revocation is for at least one year.
• Drivers under 21 years old have their licenses revoked for two years.

Statutory Summary Suspension

Because Illinois administers a Statutory Summary Suspension after failing or refusing chemical testing following a DUI arrest, you could lose your license even if your DUI charges are reduced or dropped. Some key statutory facts include:

• The Statutory Summary Suspension takes effect 46 days after law enforcement serves you with notice.
• Statutory Summary Suspensions are not part of the criminal case for DUI.
• Length of first suspension from license is six months if you failed chemical testing and 12 months if you refused chemical testing.

After your suspension period expires, you’ll be responsible for paying a $250 reinstatement fee to the Illinois Secretary of State.

Driving Relief Options and Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) Costs

Granted, monitoring device driving permits (commonly referred to as MDDP) give first-time DUI offenders limited driving privileges during a statutory summary suspension. If you are eligible for an MDDP, you will likely need to pay for and install a BAIID at your own expense. Drivers with MDDPs are subject to strict compliance standards and monitoring. These costs are only the beginning. Typical expenses and fees include:

• Approximately $85 for initial installation
• Approximately $80 monthly rental fee
• Approximately $30 monthly monitoring and violation reporting fees

As mentioned above, any missed calibration, violations, or failed breath tests can result in termination of the permit. Drivers living in Edwardsville who drive to work on Route 157, Route 111, or I-55 will find that limited hours can drastically affect their schedule.

Insurance Consequences and SR-22 Requirements

Driving after your license is restored can also come with challenges, specifically with insurance requirements. You may be required to file SR-22 proof of financial responsibility following a DUI arrest or conviction.

The SR-22 requirement lasts longer than your probation period. You’ll pay more for car insurance when your insurance company files an SR-22 on your behalf. An SR-22 is a form your car insurance company files with the state to prove you have car insurance. It verifies that you meet the minimum liability coverage standards required in Illinois.

Hire a DUI Lawyer at The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC

When you hire a DUI lawyer after your DUI arrest, you have someone on your side who knows criminal law and how judges and prosecutors operate in Illinois. DUI charges come with strict timelines. They require knowledge of complex scientific evidence and entail administrative consequences that start well before your trial date.

A skilled lawyer understands Illinois DUI laws and can scrutinize the reason for the traffic stop. A DUI attorney can contest breath or blood test results and help you fight to keep your driver’s license active during your DUI case.

The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC, works with clients who have been charged with DUI in Edwardsville and Madison County. Just minutes away from the Madison County Courthouse at 155 North Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025, Jessica Koester is located in the heart of Edwardsville. Jessica Koester dedicates her practice to criminal defense.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a DUI Cost You in Illinois?

A: DUIs in Illinois can cost you significantly more than what you pay for your fine in court. The fine for a first offense can be up to $2,500, but when you factor in court fees, alcohol education courses, reinstatement fees, BAIID costs, and increased insurance rates, most first-time offenders pay thousands of dollars over time for their DUI.

Q: What Is the Punishment for a First DUI in Illinois?

A: A first DUI offense in Illinois is typically a Class A misdemeanor. Possible consequences include up to one year in jail, up to $2,500 in fines, alcohol education or treatment, and license suspension or revocation. Fines and other penalties may increase if aggravating factors are involved, such as elevated blood alcohol concentration levels or having a minor child in the vehicle.

Q: What’s the Most Common Penalty for a First-Time DUI?

A: First-time DUI offenders typically face penalties such as license suspension or revocation, together with fines and compulsory alcohol education programs. While jail time is a possibility, many first-offense DUIs result in no jail sentence if there are no aggravating factors. Suspension of a driver’s license and increased insurance rates can have the biggest impact on a DUI offender.

Q: Do You Lose Your License Immediately After a Driving Under the Influence Charge in Illinois?

A: No. If you get arrested for DUI in Illinois, you don’t lose your license right away. Rather, there is a statutory summary suspension of license that takes effect 46 days after you are arrested when you fail or decline chemical testing. This is administrative and separate from the criminal case. Your license can be suspended before you go to court for the DUI offense.

Contact The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC

If you have been charged with a DUI, The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC, can help you in the legal process. Contact us today to begin fighting for your future.