Illinois Traffic Fines
& Penalty Ranges
9 common Illinois violations with typical fine ranges, plus how the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) handles points.
🔎Illinois Traffic Fines at a Glance
- Typical fines
- $25–$2,500
- Point system
- Yes
- Traffic school
- Available
- Records kept by
- Illinois Secretary of State (SOS)
Of the 9 Illinois violations below, the lowest typical fine is for seat belt violation ($25–$60) and the highest is for speeding 35+ mph over ($500–$2,500+).
Speeding fines climb across 4 tiers, from $120–$140 (speeding 1–20 mph over) to $500–$2,500+ (speeding 35+ mph over).
Ranges only, not legal advice. Your actual Illinois fine depends on the county, the court, and your record, and court costs are added on top. For a criminal charge such as DUI or reckless driving, consult a licensed Illinois attorney.
📋Common Illinois Violations & Typical Fines
Base-fine ranges; Illinois court costs are extra.
| Violation | Typical Fine |
|---|---|
Speeding 1–20 MPH over 5–15 points | $120–$140 |
Speeding 21–25 MPH over 15–20 points | $140–$150 |
Speeding 26–34 MPH over Class B misdemeanor — possible jail time. 20–25 points | $140–$1,500 |
Speeding 35+ MPH over Class A misdemeanor — consult an attorney. | $500–$2,500+ |
Running a red light Camera-issued red-light tickets are typically $100 (no points). 20 points | $120–$200 |
Running a stop sign 20 points | $120–$200 |
Seat belt violation | $25–$60 |
Hand-held cell phone (1st offense) $100–$250 for subsequent offenses; primary offense statewide. | $75–$150 |
Driving without insurance Plus 3-month license-plate suspension; $100 reinstatement fee. | $500–$1,000 |
Estimate what your Illinois ticket will really cost
The fine on the ticket is rarely the total. Pick the violation to add court costs, points, suspension risk and the likely insurance impact in Illinois.
Pick the speeding tier that matches how fast you were going over the limit. Illinois typically breaks speeding into different tiers — choose the right one above for the most accurate estimate.
Based on the fine ranges listed on this page. Open the full estimator to compare other states.
🎯How Illinois's Point System Works
Illinois assigns 5–55 points per moving violation depending on severity. Points are reflected on your driving record but Illinois primarily uses the number of moving-violation convictions (rather than total points) to trigger suspension actions.
3 moving-violation convictions within 12 months for adults 21+ triggers license suspension. For drivers under 21: 2 convictions in 24 months triggers suspension.
🎓Traffic School & Defensive Driving
Illinois "court supervision" — if granted by the judge, you complete an approved Defensive Driving Course (~$25–$45) and the violation is not added to your driving record. Eligible once every 12 months for most moving violations.
📝Got a Illinois Ticket?
- Before paying a moving violation, check whether you qualify for Illinois's traffic-school option (see above) — it can keep the conviction off your record.
- Each conviction counts toward Illinois's suspension threshold, so a cheap ticket can still matter.
🔗Official Illinois Sources
For exact, current penalties, check the official Illinois sources:
Sourced from public Illinois statutes and Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) publications; may not reflect the latest amendments. usdriverguide.com is not affiliated with the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS), any Illinois court, or any law enforcement agency. Full disclaimer.