Illinois Secretary of State Hearings

FORMAL HEARINGS

A formal hearing is required for a driver whose driving privileges have been suspended or revoked for multiple DUI dispositions, DUIs involving a Type A injury accident or in cases where an offense involved a fatality during the operation of a motor vehicle.

An applicant for a formal hearing must pay a $50.00 filing fee at the time of filing for a hearing. If the applicant is represented by an attorney for a formal hearing, their attorney may file for the hearing on their behalf.  The applicant and their attorney of record will be notified of the hearing date by either regular mail or email.

A formal hearing request must be made in writing through the U.S. mail.  The Illinois Secretary of State holds formal hearings at four locations in the state:  Chicago, Joliet, Springfield and Mount Vernon.  The addresses for each location are listed below.

Office of the Secretary of State
Dept. of Administrative Hearings
17 North State Street, Suite 1200
Chicago, Illinois 60602

Office of the Secretary of State
Dept. of Administrative Hearings
54 North Ottawa Street, Fourth Floor
Joliet, Illinois 60432

Office of the Secretary of State
Dept. of Administrative Hearings
Howlett Building, Room 212
Springfield, Illinois 62756

Office of the Secretary of State
Dept. of Administrative Hearings
218 S. 12th Street
Mount Vernon, Illinois 62864

INFORMAL HEARINGS

The Illinois Secretary of State holds informal hearings on a walk-in basis at many DMV locations throughout the state.  To find an informal hearing officer, you can visit the list of hearing officer locations. An applicant should call in advance, whenever possible, to ensure an informal hearing officer is present before showing up for an informal hearing.  An informal hearing officer may be temporarily assigned to a different location, maintain specific hours or have taken the day off work.

COMMON SECRETARY OF STATE FORMS

Formal Hearing Request – This form is used to request a formal hearing with the Illinois Secretary of State.  If an applicant has retained the services of an attorney, they should verify with their attorney whether they have already filed for a hearing before submitting this form. 

A formal hearing request should be mailed to the Illinois Secretary of State location where an applicant for driving privileges desires to have their hearing.  A hearing request should include the $50.00 filing fee.

Secretary of State Medical Report  – This form is used when the Secretary of State requires the opinion from an applicant’s doctor that they are medically safe to drive a vehicle while taking specific medication and/or being treated for a specific medical condition.

Hearing Record Request – This form is used to request the prior documents and evidence, as well as your decision(s), from any prior hearing with the Illinois Secretary of State.  The Secretary of State will not provide sworn reports in response to this request.  Sworn reports must be requested through the Support Services Division in Springfield.

SR-22 Waiver – Upon reinstatement / clearance of an Illinois hold on an out-of-state applicant’s driving privileges, the Secretary of State may request the completion of this form to waive the requirement that a person carry SR-22 insurance when obtaining a license in their home state.

Character/Abstinence Letters – When required, the Secretary of State will require submission of character/abstinence letters, depending on an applicant’s classification in their evaluation.  Letters can be submitted on this form.

Support Program Letters – When required, the Illinois Secretary of State will ask an applicant to submit support program letters who is assessed as a High Risk, Dependent.  This form is used for traditional support programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (“AA”).  The Secretary of State has created a form for the submission of these letters.

Non-Traditional Support Letters and Cover Letter.  If an applicant is using a non-traditional support program, such as family and friends, and is required to show they have support for their recovery, they must submit non-traditional support letters.  In this case, the applicant must also submit a “Cover Letter” on their behalf to explain their nontraditional program.