If you recieve a text to your phone or an email stating that you owe money for unpaid traffic tickets or unpaid Illinois road tolls, you should delete and report those messages as junk.

Many of the text messages look like this:

Illinois State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Final Notice: Enforcement Penalties Begin on May 28. Our records show that as of today, you will have an outstanding traffic ticket. In accordance with Illinois State Administrative Code 15C-16.003, if you do not complete payment by May 27, 2025, we will take the following actions:

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Continue Reading Beware of Online Illinois Traffic Ticket Scam

The State Street Bridge which is located over the Chicago River and connects the River North and downtown Loop neighborhoods closed earlier this month for emergency repairs. According the the Chicago Department of Transportation (“CDOT”), they recenty became aware of structural problems that needed to be addressed.

A CDOT spokesperson stated that they will begin critical structural repairs that will require a full closure of the bridge to vehicles and pedestrians through November 2025. The spokesperson stated, “as with all our bridges CDOT has been closely monitoring its condition and recent inspection identified deterioration that prompted us to move this…
Continue Reading Chicago’s State Street Bridge Closes For Repairs

Memorial Day weekend is around the corner, and as I wrote earlier in the week, AAA is predicting a record number of travelers on the roads and in the air this weekend.

The Lake County Illinois Sheriff’s department is looking to make things safer for those out on the roads this holiday weekend. They are implementing the national “Click It or Ticket” safety campaign to encourage drivers to fasten their seatbelts, put their phones down and drive safely.

“During this campaign, law enforcement agencies will be working together to ensure themessage reaches all drivers and passengers. Buckling up is the…
Continue Reading Lake County Sheriff Increasing Traffic Enforcement For Memorial Day

The busy season for Chicago road races has begun as the Life Time Spring Chicago Half Marathon and 10k race takes place this Sunday. Larger races like this one (and Chicago Marathon) leads to multiple road closures.

If you are planning on being downtown this weekend, please plan ahead and take a look at the below road closures starting early Sunday morning:

All lanes of Monroe Street from Lake Shore Drive to Columbus Drive (3 a.m.-6 p.m.)

Columbus Drive northbound lanes from Randolph to Monroe (3 a.m.-noon)

Columbus Drive southbound lanes from Randolph to Monroe (3 a.m.-9 a.m.)

All lanes…
Continue Reading Road Closures Planned For Chicago Half Marathon

AAA announced this week that it expects 2025 to be record breaking year for U.S. travelers on the road and in the air Memorial Day Weekend. Despite inflation worries, Americans will be traveling en mass this coming weekend. From Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26, travel forecast is an projects increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year and, which would set a new Memorial Day weekend record. The previous record was set back in 2005 with 44 million people. AAA has provided drivers with some tips on how to avoid the worst traffic times to help get…
Continue Reading AAA Predicting Record Travel For Memorial Day weekend

Multiple news outlets, including WGN, reported this week that the city of Chicago is installing eleven (11) new speeder cameras throughout the city. Speeder cameras, which have long drawn the ire of Chicago residents, will issue a $35 fine for driving 6-10 mph over the speed limit and a $100 fine for those and going 11 mph or more over the limit. These tickets are considered non-moving violations and do not affect your driving record.

The city continues to contend that these cameras are strictly a safety measure and were installed to protect pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers. Many who live…
Continue Reading Chicago Adding 11 New Speeder Cameras

The summer travel season is right around the corner, and millions of Americans will be hitting the roads for road trips and extended vacations. A car accident or a truck accident can be a very stressful moment for many people. It is improtant to keep your cool and think rationally if you happen to be involved in a car crash. Below are a list of items to focus on doing (and not doing) should you have the unfortune to be involved in a traffic accident.

DOs and DONTs:

• Do call the police immediately or have someone at the…
Continue Reading What To Do (and Avoid) When Injured In A Car Crash

Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) and the Illinois State Police (“ISP”) launced the “Start Seeing Motorcycles” campaign as part of motorcycle safety awareness month. Start Seeing Motorcycles banners and yard signs will be on display throughout the state, reminding the public to always stay alert for motorcycles.

According to IDOT, there are approximately 150 motorcycle fatalities in Illinois every year. Just 3% of all registered vehicles in Illinois are motorcycles. Despite that low number, 14% of all traffic fatalities in 2023 were motorcycle related. This safety campaign is geared towards curbing that trend.

IDOT and ISP issued the following safety…
Continue Reading IDOT & ISP Issue Tips For Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Illinois law requires all motorists carry car insurance. The Illinois state minimum for bodily injury coverage is $25,000.00. What happens if the driver causing the auto accident has only the minimum coverage ($25,000) required by law, but your medical bills, injuries and total damages far exceed the $25,000.00 minimum coverage? Or what if the at-fault driver does not have any auto insurance? Can anything be done? 

Clients are surprised to learn that their own insurance policies can carry what is called uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage applies when a driver is injured in an auto accident caused…
Continue Reading What Is Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If you have any moving violations in Cook County, Illinois traffic court that have accrued late fees, you have the week of April 14 through 18 to pay those fines and have any late fees and collection costs waived.

The deal does not include parking, red light or speed camera violations. Late and collection fees will be waived for the following violations:

Major files include the following offenses:

• Unlawful use of license or permit
• Driving while license or permit is suspended or revoked
• Driving commercial vehicles while license suspended, revoked, cancelled or out of service
• Eluding or fleeing police
• Driving

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Continue Reading Cook County Court Clerk Offers Amnesty On Traffic Ticket Late Fees

The Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) announced yesterday that the third and final phase of the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) in Chicago was start on March 17 and last through the fall. The construction take place on the outbound side of the I-90/94 from the Edens Expressway junction to Ohio Street.

Two mainline outbound lanes will be closed at a time. IDOT said during the construction, the reversible mid-gate entrance and exit will be closed. This means drivers who enter the express lanes will not be able to exit until they reach the Edens Expressway at Foster Avenue.

The expresslanes will…
Continue Reading Phase 3 Of Kennedy Expressway Construction To Start Next Week

St. Patrick’s Day is a little over a week away but the festivities begin next weekend throughout the Chicagoland area. The Lake County Sherrif’s Department is planning ahead as they announced extra traffic safety and enforcement for the entire weekend.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Transportation for the “St. Patrick’s Day Traffic Safety Campaign,” which includes the strict enforcement of seat belt use, speeding, distracted driving and all traffic laws.

The St. Patrick’s Day traffic safety campaign is funded by federal traffic safety funds from the National Highway Traffic…
Continue Reading Lake County Adding Traffic Safety Measures For St. Patrick’s Day Weekend