What happens when you get a speeding ticket in Illinois
An Illinois speeding ticket is a traffic citation issued by a police officer or state trooper when you drive faster than the posted speed limit. The officer will hand you a ticket at the roadside or mail it to you later. The ticket shows the speed you were clocked at, the speed limit for that road, and the fine amount. You then have choices: pay the fine, contest the ticket in traffic court, or request supervision (a program that keeps the violation off your record if you meet conditions).
Illinois divides speeding violations into two categories. Speeding 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit is a minor violation. Speeding 11 to 25 miles per hour over the limit is a more serious violation. Speeding 26 miles per hour or more over the limit can result in criminal charges, license suspension, and much higher fines. The fine you owe depends on how far over the limit you were driving and which county issued the ticket, because fines vary by jurisdiction.
Key Takeaways
- Illinois speeding fines range from around $100 to $1,000 or more depending on how far over the limit you were driving and the county where you received the ticket.
- You can request supervision, which means the ticket won't appear on your driving record if you pay a fee and meet conditions like no violations for a set period.
- Traffic court in Illinois is held in the circuit court of the county where you received the ticket, and you can represent yourself or hire an attorney.
- Accumulating multiple speeding violations within a certain time frame can lead to license suspension or revocation by the Illinois Secretary of State.
- Points added to your driving record from speeding convictions affect your insurance rates and can trigger license action if you reach 15 or more points.
How much a speeding ticket costs in Illinois
The base fine for speeding in Illinois starts at $100 for driving 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit. For 11 to 25 miles per hour over the limit, the fine is typically $150 to $300. For 26 miles per hour or more over the limit, fines can reach $500 to $1,000 or higher. These are the base amounts; individual counties and municipalities add court costs, administrative fees, and surcharges that can increase your total bill by $50 to $200 or more.
If you request supervision instead of paying the fine outright, you'll pay a supervision fee (usually $50 to $150) plus court costs. You won't pay the full fine, but you will pay something. If you contest the ticket and lose in court, you pay the full fine plus court costs. If you win, you pay nothing. The total cost of fighting a ticket in court—attorney fees, time off work, travel—often exceeds the fine itself, which is why many drivers choose to pay or request supervision.
Supervision and keeping the ticket off your record
Supervision is an Illinois program that allows you to avoid a conviction on your driving record. When you request supervision, you pay a fee to the court and agree to certain conditions. If you meet those conditions for a set period (usually 12 months), the ticket is dismissed and does not appear on your record. This means no points are added, your insurance company won't see the violation, and your driving record stays clean.
To request supervision, you must contact the traffic court in the county where you received the ticket before your court date. Some courts allow you to request it by phone, mail, or in person; others require you to appear in court. You can usually request supervision only once every five years in Illinois. If you've already used supervision recently, you won't be able to use it again and will have to pay the fine or contest the ticket. If you violate the conditions of supervision—for example, you get another speeding ticket before the 12 months are up—the original ticket will be reinstated and added to your record.
Points, license suspension, and insurance impact
Illinois uses a points system to track traffic violations. A speeding conviction adds points to your driving record: 5 points for speeding 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit, and 15 points for speeding 11 to 25 miles per hour over the limit. Speeding 26 miles per hour or more over the limit can result in criminal charges and 50 points. Once you accumulate 15 or more points within a 12-month period, the Illinois Secretary of State can suspend your license. At 40 or more points within 24 months, your license can be revoked.
Insurance companies check your driving record and use violations to calculate your rates. A speeding conviction typically raises your premium by 10 to 30 percent, depending on your insurer and how far over the limit you were driving. The increase usually lasts three to five years. If you use supervision and the ticket is dismissed, it won't appear on your record and won't affect your insurance rates. This is one reason supervision is valuable even if you have to pay a fee.
How to contest a speeding ticket in Illinois traffic court
To contest a ticket, you must file a written request with the traffic court in the county where you received the ticket before the date listed on your ticket. The court will schedule a hearing, usually within 30 to 60 days. You can represent yourself or hire a traffic attorney. At the hearing, the officer who issued the ticket must testify about how they measured your speed (radar, laser, pacing, or visual estimation). You can cross-examine the officer and present your own evidence or witnesses.
Common defenses include challenging the accuracy of the speed measurement, questioning whether the officer followed proper calibration procedures for radar or laser equipment, or arguing that road or weather conditions made the speed limit unsafe to follow. You can also argue that the speed limit sign was obscured or missing. However, straightforward saying you didn't see the sign or didn't know the speed limit is not a valid defense in Illinois. If the judge finds you not guilty, the ticket is dismissed and no fine or points are added. If the judge finds you guilty, you pay the full fine and points are added to your record.
What to do if you received a speeding ticket
First, read the ticket carefully. It will show the date, time, location, the speed you were clocked at, the posted speed limit, and the court information. Check that all the information is correct. If there are errors—wrong date, wrong speed, wrong location—note them. Errors can be grounds for dismissal.
Next, decide your course of action. You have three main options: pay the fine, request supervision, or contest the ticket. If you want to request supervision, contact the traffic court listed on your ticket as soon as possible. If you want to contest the ticket, file a written request for a hearing with that same court before the date on your ticket. If you straightforward want to pay the fine, you can do so by mail, phone, or in person at the courthouse. Do not ignore the ticket. Failing to respond can result in a license suspension, additional fines, and a warrant for your arrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a speeding ticket dismissed if the radar gun wasn't calibrated?
Yes, if you can show the radar or laser equipment wasn't properly calibrated or maintained, the ticket may be dismissed. You can request the officer's calibration records during discovery before your court hearing. Many officers don't have complete records, which can work in your favor. However, you'll need to contest the ticket in court to raise this issue.
Will a speeding ticket affect my car insurance rates?
Yes, most insurance companies will increase your rates after a speeding conviction. The increase typically ranges from 10 to 30 percent and lasts three to five years. If you use supervision and the ticket is dismissed, it won't appear on your driving record and won't affect your rates. This is one reason to consider requesting supervision if you're may be able to access.
What's the difference between a speeding ticket and a criminal charge?
Speeding 1 to 25 miles per hour over the limit is a traffic violation, not a crime. Speeding 26 miles per hour or more over the limit can be charged as a criminal offense, which carries jail time, a criminal record, and much higher fines. Criminal speeding charges are handled in criminal court, not traffic court, and have more serious consequences.
Can I request supervision if I've had speeding tickets before?
You can request supervision only once every five years in Illinois. If you've used it recently, you won't be able to use it again for this ticket. You'll have to pay the fine or contest the ticket in court instead.
What happens if I ignore a speeding ticket?
Ignoring a ticket can result in license suspension, additional fines, and a warrant for your arrest. The court will send you a notice if you don't respond by the important date on your ticket. If you still don't respond, the Secretary of State can suspend your license. Always respond to a ticket, even if you plan to contest it.