In the state of Illinois, after a person has lost their driving privileges for an alcohol-related offense, there are four categories, or ‘classifications,’ that person can be placed into before they can get their driving privileges back through the Secretary of State. Each one of these unique classifications requires different types of education, and in some cases treatment, that the person will have to undergo.
From the outset, ensuring that you are placed in the right classification and understanding what that specific classification entails is crucial to a successful outcome at the Secretary of State. A person’s criminal history, their driving record and the nature of their alcohol- or substance-abuse issues determine which classification they will be placed into. To begin the process, you will have to obtain an Evaluation from a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). Your Evaluation will be documented in an official report that will establish your risk of future alcohol-related driving offenses. The classifications of risk levels are ‘Minimal Risk,’ ‘Moderate Risk,’ ‘Significant Risk,’ and ‘High Risk.’ The High Risk category is broken down into two subcategories depending on whether the individual is ‘Dependent’ on alcohol or substances or ‘Non-Dependent.’
Minimal Risk is assigned to a person who currently has one Driving Under the Influence (“DUI”) offense and had a blood alcohol level content (“BAC”) of 0.15 or lower. This implies that they have one DUI prior to their most recent DUI (i.e., two DUIs total) and have never refused chemical testing. Refusing a chemical test automatically places the person in a higher risk level. This level also means the person does not exhibit any symptoms of alcohol abuse or dependency from the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-5). At this lowest level of Minimal Risk, the person will be required to complete 10 hours of alcohol- and substance-abuse education.
Moderate Risk involves a person who currently has just one DUI, but who either refused a chemical test or whose BAC was between 0.15 and 0.19. This person must also exhibit no symptoms of alcohol abuse or dependency. As with the Minimal Risk classification, a Moderate Risk level will require 10 hours of Risk Education, but also completion of Early Intervention classes. Early Intervention totals 12 hours, and cannot exceed 3 hours in a given week, therefore involving a minimum of 4 weeks to complete.Significant Risk is assigned to an individual who has one DUI prior to their most recent DUI (i.e., two DUIs total) and/or had a BAC of .20 or higher. The Significant Risk classification can also apply if the individual has 2 or 3 symptoms of alcohol or substance abuse or dependency. Significant Risk requires 10 hours of Risk Education, as well as 20 hours of Treatment.