How do I fight a speeding ticket in Illinois?

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Accepted Answer

Illinois speeding tickets are handled by the circuit court of the county where issued.

1. Pay vs. Contest

Pay: a conviction reported to the Secretary of State and your insurer.

Court supervision: under 730 ILCS 5/5-6-1(c), a deferred disposition — no conviction enters the abstract if you complete the supervision period (typically 3-6 months) and pay costs. Available once for a moving violation in 12 months and limited to two per lifetime in some courts.

Trial: bench or jury trial. Jury demand fee applies.

2. Speed Limits & Criminal Thresholds

625 ILCS 5/11-601 sets the basic rule; § 5/11-601.5 makes speeding a misdemeanor:

Aggravated speeding (Class B misdemeanor): 26-34 mph over the limit — up to 6 months jail, $1,500 fine.

Aggravated speeding (Class A misdemeanor): 35+ mph over — up to 1 year jail, $2,500 fine.

Reckless driving (625 ILCS 5/11-503) covers willful/wanton disregard.

3. Points & Suspension

The Secretary of State assigns points (5-50 per violation). Three moving-violation convictions in 12 months suspends a driver 21+; two convictions suspend a driver under 21. Insurance surcharges typically last 3 years.

4. Traffic Safety School

Some courts allow traffic safety school as part of court supervision. CDL holders cannot use supervision to mask a CDL conviction (49 CFR § 384.226).

5. Defenses & Discovery

Subpoena under Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 412: officer's radar/lidar certification, calibration log (typically 30-day cycle), tuning fork records. Cross-examine on pacing distance and visual estimate accuracy.

This is legal information, not legal advice.