Which traffic violations require a mandatory court appearance under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, a mandatory court appearance is required for: (1) All Class A and Class B Misdemeanor traffic offenses (including Aggravated Speeding 26+ mph over limit under 625 ILCS 5/11-601.5, DUI under 11-501, Driving Suspended/Revoked under 6-303, Reckless Driving under 11-503, and Fleeing/Eluding under 11-204); (2) Leaving the Scene of an Accident under 11-401(a); (3) Second offense of Transportation of Open Alcohol in vehicle under 11-502; (4) Operating Uninsured Vehicle involving crash with personal injury under 3-707; (5) Second offense of Construction Zone Speeding under 11-605.1; and (6) Scott's Law violations involving damage or injury under 11-907(c).

How does the Illinois Secretary of State moving violation point schedule work?

Under 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1040.20, points are assigned for moving violation convictions. Drivers age 21 and over who receive 3 convictions within 12 months face license suspension: 45–74 points results in a 3-month suspension; 75–89 points in a 6-month suspension; 90–99 points in a 9-month suspension; 100–109 points in a 12-month suspension; and 110+ points results in revocation (minimum 1 year). Drivers under 21 face suspension upon 2 convictions within 24 months.

What are the penalties for Aggravated Speeding in Illinois (625 ILCS 5/11-601.5)?

Speeding 26 to 34 MPH over the limit is a Class B Misdemeanor (625 ILCS 5/11-601.5(a)), punishable by up to 6 months in jail and fines up to $1,500. Speeding 35 MPH or more over the limit is a Class A Misdemeanor (625 ILCS 5/11-601.5(b)), punishable by up to 364 days in jail and fines up to $2,500. Both require mandatory court appearance (Rule 551) and cannot be satisfied via mail-in fine.

What is a Statutory Summary Suspension (SSS) for DUI in Illinois?

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1, an administrative driver's license suspension takes effect on the 46th day following notice of arrest for DUI. For a first offender: failing chemical testing (BAC >= 0.08 or THC >= 5ng) results in a 6-month suspension; refusing chemical testing results in a 12-month suspension. First offenders are eligible for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) with a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) after 30 days. Repeat offenders face 1-year (fail) or 3-year (refuse) suspensions with no driving relief.

What are the fines and penalties for violating Scott's Law (625 ILCS 5/11-907)?

Scott's Law (Move Over Law) requires motorists approaching any stationary emergency or disabled vehicle with flashing lights to reduce speed, change lanes if safe, and proceed with caution. Penalties include a mandatory minimum fine of $250 for a first offense ($750 to $10,000 for repeat offenses), mandatory $250 Scott's Law fund fee, and license suspension: 90 days to 1 year if property damage occurs; 180 days to 2 years if injury occurs; and 2 years if death occurs.

Illinois Vehicle Code (Chapter 625) & Court Procedures

Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS) & Traffic Procedure Guide

Field reference for Illinois Chapter 625 traffic statutes, Supreme Court Rule 551 mandatory appearance criteria, SOS moving violation point schedules, and Statutory Summary Suspensions.

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearances

Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, citations for the offenses listed below cannot be resolved by mail or payment; a mandatory court appearance is required by statute.

Misdemeanor Traffic Offenses

Class A & Class B Violations

All misdemeanor violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code require mandatory court appearance under Rule 551(a).

Aggravated Speeding 26–34 MPH Over (625 ILCS 5/11-601.5(a)) · Class B
Aggravated Speeding 35+ MPH Over (625 ILCS 5/11-601.5(b)) · Class A
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) (625 ILCS 5/11-501) · Class A
Driving While License Suspended/Revoked (DWLS/DWLR) (625 ILCS 5/6-303) · Class A
Reckless Driving (625 ILCS 5/11-503) · Class A
Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Officer (625 ILCS 5/11-204) · Class A
Leaving Scene of Accident (Death/Injury) (625 ILCS 5/11-401(a)) · Class A
Street Racing (625 ILCS 5/11-506) · Class A

Special Statutory Mandates

Specific Rule 551 Required Citations

Specific petty and business violations designated by Rule 551(b)-(f) requiring court presence.

Uninsured Motor Vehicle with Bodily Injury Crash (625 ILCS 5/3-707)
Transportation of Alcoholic Liquor (2nd within 12 mos) (625 ILCS 5/11-502(a))
Construction / Maintenance Speeding (2nd violation) (625 ILCS 5/11-605.1)
Passing School Bus While Loading/Unloading (2nd within 3 yrs) (625 ILCS 5/11-1414)
Scott's Law Failure to Yield with Property Damage/Injury (625 ILCS 5/11-907(c))
Child Passenger Restraint Violation (3rd within 1 yr) (625 ILCS 25/4)

SOS Point Schedule

Moving Violation Points (92 Ill. Adm. Code 1040.20)

Point values assessed upon conviction; 3 convictions in 12 months triggers suspension.

50 Points: Aggravated Speeding 35+ MPH Over (11-601.5b)
30 Points: Aggravated Speeding 26–34 MPH Over (11-601.5a)
20 Points: Speeding 15–25 MPH Over (11-601b)
20 Points: Disobey Traffic Control Device / Red Light (11-306)
20 Points: Scott's Law Failure to Yield (11-907c)
20 Points: Passing Stopped School Bus (11-1414)
10 Points: Speeding 1–14 MPH Over (11-601b)
10 Points: Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle (3-707)
10 Points: Improper Lane Usage (11-709) / Failure to Signal (11-804)

Statutory Summary Suspension

DUI Implied Consent Suspension Durations

Administrative license suspensions taking effect 46 days after arrest under 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1.

First Offender (Chemical Test Fail BAC >= 0.08 / THC >= 5ng): 6 Month Suspension (MDDP eligible after 30 days)
First Offender (Chemical Test Refusal): 12 Month Suspension (MDDP eligible after 30 days)
Repeat Offender (within 5 yrs - Test Fail): 1 Year Suspension (No driving permit available)
Repeat Offender (within 5 yrs - Test Refusal): 3 Year Suspension (No driving permit available)
Zero Tolerance Minor Under 21 (Test Fail BAC > 0.00): 3 Month Suspension (1st) / 1 Year Suspension (2nd)
Zero Tolerance Minor Under 21 (Test Refusal): 6 Month Suspension (1st) / 2 Year Suspension (2nd)