Southern Illinois Secretary of State Hearing Lawyers

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Located at: 1015 Broadway, Mt. Vernon, Illinois, One Block from the Secretary of State Administrative Building

Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) Administrative Hearings

Having a driver’s license is something most people take for granted, and it’s not until you lose it that you realize how important it truly is. Not having a driver’s license can become a huge burden. Being unable to get to work, pick up your kids, or even do something as simple as going to the grocery store, can dramatically interrupt your daily life. We understand the hardship that comes from not having a license. Whether your license has been revoked, suspended, or canceled by the Illinois Secretary of State, our experienced attorneys are here to help you get back on the road. A person who is seeking to have their driving privileges reinstated after a suspension or revocation must apply for either an informal or formal hearing before the Secretary of State. Winning a formal hearing, also known as a Secretary of State administrative hearing, is difficult, especially without an experienced DUI lawyer on your side. Secretary of State administrative hearings are complex administrative hearings governed by both Illinois State law and the Illinois Administrative Code, and having a driver’s license reinstatement attorney on your side can greatly increase your chances of winning and getting driving relief.

Illinois Secretary of State Administrative Hearing Process

Secretary of State administrative hearings is required for individuals who have had their license revoked due to a felony driving offense or multiple DUIs. A hearing request must be made in writing through the mail. A hearing officer presides over the administrative hearing where sworn testimony is taken and documented evidence including treatment and counseling history is reviewed. Other evidence that will likely be presented at the administrative hearing includes your driving abstract containing your entire driving history, any arrest or accident reports, and any prior hearing records. There are only four locations in Illinois where Secretary of State administrative hearings take place:

Our driver’s license reinstatement attorneys represent clients in administrative hearings at the Mount Vernon, Illinois location. Our office is conveniently located one block away from the Secretary of State administrative hearings building. Our lawyers will prepare you for the hearing itself, go over your treatment history, and ensure there are no gaps or inconsistencies that could prevent you from getting your license back. Because license suspensions and revocations frequently stem from the use of drugs or alcohol, some of the most important things to present at your formal hearing include any drug and alcohol evaluation, treatment paperwork, and letters from friends and family.

The Secretary of State has up to 90 days after an administrative hearing to render a decision on whether your request to reinstate your license is granted or denied. If you are denied, you are eligible for a new hearing 90 days after the previous hearing.

Keep in mind that if you are seeking to reinstate your revoked or suspended you are required to have a Secretary of State Administrative unless your driving privileges were terminated for:

A single DUI;
A minor traffic offense; or
Offense(s) not involving a death

All other offenses that result in your license being suspended or revoked require an administrative hearing in order to reinstate your license.

What if I move or am outside of Illinois?

Removing your Illinois driver’s license revocation from your record may be particularly important when attempting to apply for a driver’s license in your new state of residence. You will be unable to obtain a driver’s license in your new state once Illinois has reported your revocation to other States. Administrative hearings for individuals outside of Illinois may be in-person or an out-of-state packet may be completed. Olson & Reeves can help advise you on which method is most likely to lead to success given your particular circumstances. Even if you do not plan on returning to Illinois, you must go through the administrative hearing process to remove the revocation from your record. If you received a lifetime revocation in Illinois, out-of-state residents may apply for a hearing after a period of 10 years.

Our Driver’s License Lawyers Handle Illinois Secretary of State Administrative Hearings Across Southern Illinois

We help to restore driving privileges for clients across Southern Illinois. While we represent clients from anywhere in Illinois and even out-of-state, some of the most common Southern Illinois counties we serve are:

Alexander County	Bond County
Clark County	Clay County
Clinton County	Coles County
Cumberland County	Crawford County
Edwards County	Effingham County
Fayette County	Franklin County
Gallatin County	Hamilton County
Hardin County	Jackson County
Jasper County	Jefferson County
Johnson County	Lawrence County
Madison County	Marion County
Massac County	Monroe County
Perry County	Pope County
Pulaski County	Randolph County
Richland County	Saline County
Shelby County	St. Clair County
Union County	Wabash County
Washington County	Wayne County
White County	Williamson County

How much does it cost to hire you to be my Illinois Administrative Hearing Attorney?

At Olson & Reeves we charge flat fees to represent clients at Secretary of State administrative hearings. We always offer a free initial consultation to evaluate your reinstatement.

Driving Directions to Our Southern Illinois Law Offices

Mt. Vernon Office

Olson & Reeves, Attorneys at Law
1015 Broadway
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
Phone: (618) 316-7322

Our Mount Vernon, IL Office is Located One Block from the Secretary of State Administrative Building

Centralia Office

Olson & Reeves, Attorneys at Law
310 S. Elm Street
Centralia, IL 62801
Phone: (618) 316-7322

Illinois DUI & Driver’s License Reinstatement FAQ

What is the difference between a Suspension and a Revocation?

A suspension results in the temporary loss of driving privileges for a specified amount of time. A suspended license is automatically reinstated upon payment of the reinstatement fee. A revoked license is not for a specific amount of time and can only be reinstated after a successful hearing before the Secretary of State. Suspensions are generally the result of moving violations or other nonviolent traffic offenses. Whereas revocations are the result of a DUI conviction or other serious traffic offense.

What is an Illinois Statutory Summary Suspension?

A Statutory Summary Suspension is an automatic suspension or revocation of driving privileges as the result of a driver refusing a breathalyzer or other chemical testing.

What documents do I need for a Formal Hearing?

An experienced reinstatement attorney can advise you on every document needed for a formal reinstatement hearing. However, the most important document every individual applying for reinstatement will need is a completed drug and alcohol evaluation by a licensed provider.

What is the process for an Illinois Secretary of State Administrative Formal Hearing?

Each hearing differs slightly based on the particular circumstances. However, must hearings follow this general outline: 1) The hearing begins with the driver turning over any documentation he or she has, including evaluations and treatment documentation; 2) The driver answers questions from the hearing officer and/or his or her attorney, and 3) The hearing officer takes the matter under advisement prior to issuing a decision within the following 90 days.

What is a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP)?

An RDP allows a person to drive on a restricted basis according to his/her permit. Also known as an Illinois Hardship License, there are generally three situations in which the Illinois Secretary of State will require that you drive on a RDP/hardship license before being considered for full reinstatement of your driver’s license: 1) You are not eligible for full reinstatement; 2) You were revoked for DUI and are eligible for full reinstatement but have not previously held a RDP; or 3) You have been convicted of DUI on 2 or more occasions.

What fees are there for requesting an Illinois Secretary of State Formal Hearing?

When requesting a Formal Hearing, a non-refundable $50 filing fee in the form of a check, money order or credit card payable to the Secretary of State is required.

If my license is reinstated, are there any fees I must pay?

Discretionary Suspension (Traffic Related Suspension) — $70 fee for each Suspension
Failure to Appear in Court Suspension (Court Related Suspension) — $70 fee for each Suspension
Family Responsibility (DHFS or Court Ordered Child Support Suspension) — $70 fee for each Suspension
Field Sobriety Suspension — (First Offense) — $250 fee owed for each Suspension
Field Sobriety Suspension — (Multiple Offense) — $500 fee owed for each subsequent Suspension
Mandatory Insurance Conviction Driver’s License Suspension — $100 fee for each Suspension. Please note that this reinstatement fee is for your driver’s license suspension. You may also owe a mandatory insurance fee for your license plate suspension. You will be required to contact Vehicle Services to pay that fee. Please refer to your correspondence from Vehicle Services for instructions.
Parking/Tollway/Automated Traffic Suspension (Municipality/Tollway Authority Violation Suspension) — $70 fee for each Suspension
Revocations — $500 fee for each Revocation — Payments of this Reinstatement fee can only be processed if we have received a “reinstatement recommendation” from our Administrative Hearing Department and this office has received your SR22 Insurance certificate or out of state insurance waiver.
Safety Responsibility (Uninsured Accident Administrative Suspension) — $70 fee for each Suspension
Solicitation of Towing Suspension — $100 fee for each Suspension
Statutory Summary Suspension — (DUI Related/Implied Consent First Offense) — $250 fee for the first Suspension
Statutory Summary Suspension — (DUI Related Multiple Offenses) — $500 fee for each subsequent Suspension
Unsatisfied Judgment (Uninsured Accident Court Ordered Suspension) — $70 fee for each Suspension
Zero Tolerance Suspension — (Alcohol Related for Individuals under 21 years of age) — $70 fee for each Suspension

What cities and towns do you cover?

We represent clients from all over Illinois and even outside of Illinois at formal and informal hearings. Some of the more common Southern Illinois cities we represent clients from are:

Albion, IL	Anna, IL
Belleville, IL	Benton, IL
Bethalto, IL	Breese, IL
Cairo, IL	Carbondale, IL
Carlyle, IL	Carmi, IL
Carterville, IL	Centralia, IL
Charleston, IL	Chester, IL
Columbia, IL	Du Quoin, IL
East St. Louis, IL	Edwardsville, IL
Effingham, IL	El Dorado, IL
Fairfield, IL	Flora, IL
Golconda, IL	Granite City, IL
Greenville, IL	Harrisburg, IL
Herrin, IL	Hillsboro, IL
Jerseyville, IL	Lawrenceville, IL
Marion, IL	Marshall, IL
Mascoutah, IL	Mattoon, IL
McLeansboro, IL	Metropolis, IL
Mounds, IL	Mount Carmel, IL
Mount Vernon, IL	Murphysboro, IL
Nashville, IL	Newton, IL
Olney, IL	O’Fallon, IL
Pinckneyville, IL	Red Bud, IL
Robinson, IL	Rosiclaire, IL
Salem, IL	Shawneetown, IL
Shelbyville, IL	Shiloh, IL
Sparta, IL	Swansea, IL
Vandalia, IL	Vienna, IL
Waterloo, IL	West Frankfort, IL

Illinois Driver’s License Reinstatement Information & Resources

Get Back on the Road! Our Southern Illinois DUI Attorneys are Here to Help!

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