ILChicagoVerified against primary sources · September 11, 2026
Cook County, IL DUI: courts, hearing, occupational license & reinstatement (2026)
Where a DUI case in Cook County is heard, where and by when the administrative hearing is requested, where an occupational or hardship license is filed for, and where the license is reinstated. Every item below is cited to the county clerk, the court's own site, the state agency or the statute; the state rules that apply are Illinois's and are quoted from the Illinois record.
The short answers for this county
Where to request the administrative hearing
Which court handles the case
- Circuit Court of Cook County, First Municipal District (Chicago) — Criminal Section, Misdemeanor Section, Richard J. Daley Center · DUI misdemeanorRichard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602cookcountycourt.org · Source: cookcountycourt.org
- Circuit Court of Cook County, Criminal Division — George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse · DUI felony2600 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608cookcountycourt.org · Source: cookcountycourt.org
State rules that apply here: Illinois
The interlock, cost and restricted-license rules are set by Illinois law and the Illinois licensing agency, not by the county. They are rendered here from the Illinois record and cited there.
The short answers
Do I need an interlock?
- First offense
- At the court's discretion
- Minimum period
- Duration of the statutory summary suspension while holding…
What the source says (2)
- First offense
“(a-1) A person issued a MDDP may drive for any purpose and at any time, subject to the rules adopted by the Secretary under subsection (g). The person must, at his or her own expense, drive only vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device as defined in Section 1-129.1”
- Minimum period
“1. twelve months from the effective date of the statutory summary suspension for a refusal or failure to complete a test or tests ... 2. six months from the effective date of the statutory summary suspension imposed following the person's submission to a chemical test which disclosed an alcohol”
What it costs here
- State reinstatement fee
- $500
- Restricted-license fee
- $30 per month of remaining suspension
- Reduced-cost rule
- Indigent BAIID Fund
- Interlock lease, national range
- $50–$150 per month
What the source says (3)
- State reinstatement fee
“Summary suspension under Section 11-501.1............$250 Suspension under Section 11-501.9....................$250 Summary revocation under Section 11-501.1.............$500 Other suspension.......................................$70 Revocation............................................$500”
- Restricted-license fee
“an MDDP offender must pay a non-refundable fee in an amount equal to $30 per month times the number of months or any portion of a month remaining on the statutory summary suspension at the time the Secretary issues the MDDP.”
- Reduced-cost rule
“The provider shall install an ignition interlock device on that person's vehicle without charge to the person, and seek reimbursement from the Indigent BAIID Fund.”
How to drive legally now
- Restricted license
- Available in some first-offense cases · Monitoring Device Driving Permit
- Hearing-request deadline
- 90 days from the notice
- Driving after a DUI in Illinois: the restricted license
- How to get a license back in Illinois
- Date the hearing deadline with the timeline calculator
What the source says (2)
- Restricted license
“Upon mailing of the notice of suspension of driving privileges as provided in subsection (h) of Section 11-501.1 of this Code, the Secretary shall also send written notice informing the person that he or she will be issued a monitoring device driving permit (MDDP).”
- Hearing-request deadline
“Within 90 days after the notice of statutory summary suspension or revocation served under Section 11-501.1, the person may make a written request for a judicial hearing in the circuit court of venue.”
Approved providers are approved statewide by the Illinois agency; the list below is the state list. Installation locations are on each provider's own locator.
Approved interlock providers
Vendors listed here appear on the Illinois licensing agency's approved-device list. Listing order is alphabetical and is not a ranking or endorsement. Installation locations are on each vendor's own locator.
Where to get it installed — the official approved-installer list: Agency approved-vendor list
| Vendor | Website | Location finder |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Detection Systems | Alcohol Detection Systems website | Find a location |
| ALCOLOCK | ALCOLOCK website | Find a location |
| Intoxalock | Intoxalock website | Find a location |
| LifeSafer | LifeSafer website | Find a location |
| Low Cost Interlock | Low Cost Interlock website | Find a location |
| RoadGuard Interlocklisted by the agency as “RoadGuard US Interlock” | RoadGuard Interlock website | Find a location |
| Simple Interlocklisted by the agency as “A Simple Interlock” | Simple Interlock website | Find a location |
| Smart Start | Smart Start website | Find a location |
Other devices on the agency list (1)
These names also appear on the Illinois agency list. Their makers publish no website this site has confirmed, so the agency list is the only link.
- SkyFine USA
Sources
- Circuit Court of Cook County, First Municipal District (Chicago) — Criminal Section, Misdemeanor Section, Richard J. Daley Center (cookcountycourt.org)
- Circuit Court of Cook County, Criminal Division — George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse (cookcountycourt.org)
- Circuit Court of Cook County, Criminal Division — George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse — website (cookcountycourt.org)
- Administrative hearing (ilsos.gov)
Record history
- — record: Cook County record verified against primary sources: Circuit Court of Cook County First Municipal District (Daley Center, Criminal Section with a Misdemeanor Section), Criminal Division and George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse pages, Illinois Secretary of State Department of Administrative Hearings (Chicago office). No DUI problem-solving court is listed by the circuit; occupational license (a Secretary of State permit), county fees, reinstatement office and interlock authority stay null.