Is drinking and driving the same thing as DUI in Illinois?

Maybe you had a drink at dinner. Or you toasted the bride at a wedding. Perhaps you just enjoyed a beer with a friend. Under Illinois DUI law, is it illegal to drive home after you've had that drink? Many people automatically assume drinking and driving is DUI. But the answer may surprise you . . .

If you've been arrested for DUI in the Chicago area, but don't think you were impaired by the alcohol you consumed, you're going to need an attorney right away. Give us a call at 800-454-4Law or 800-454-4529.

First DUI Arrest? How long will that Statutory Summary Suspension last?

It was a bad night. A police officer has just arrested you for DUI in Chicago, maybe in the suburbs or on the highway by the Illinois State police or some local police department. You're tired. You're confused. You're scared. Maybe you had something to drink or smoke (allegedly).

And then the officer reads you a bunch of stuff and hands you some papers. Maybe you'll even try to read them.

When arrested for DUI in Illinois, you're supposed to be warned that if you take a breath test or a blood or urine test and show a positive result, you'll be suspended for a certain amount of time. You're supposed to be told that if you refuse any test, that changes the amount of time.

Here's what you need to know to decipher all that mess.