Many people believe that driving on a suspended or revoked license is a petty offense or traffic violation, punishable with perhaps a fine, or something equally minor. In reality, Illinois law characterizes it as a standard criminal offense, meaning that if you are charged with this crime, you may face both fines and jail time. If you drive with a suspended license after you have been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), the consequences can be even more severe because you have already shown that you have a disregard for others’ safety. Enlisting an experienced attorney for your case is crucial. 

Reasons for an Illinois Driver’s License Suspension

There are many reasons that an Illinois driver’s license could be suspended, including failing to appear in traffic court, failing to pay child support, and being convicted of three moving violations in a 12-month period. Depending on the severity of the traffic violations, your license could even be revoked after multiple offenses in a short time.

License suspension and revocation are also common consequences related to a DUI arrest or conviction. For example, if you fail a breathalyzer test at the time of your arrest, you will face an immediate suspension of your license for at least six months. Refusing the test completely can mean a suspension for at least a year. If you are convicted of driving under the influence, your license can then be revoked for at least a year for the first offense, and longer for subsequent offenses. You will also likely be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for a period of time.

Whether you are a divorced parent with questions about your parents or in-laws and their involvement with your child, or you are a grandparent looking to ensure that your grandchildren are raised in the best possible environment, concerns about grandparent rights are understandable. Family changes often affect more than just the immediate family, and it is important for everyone to understand their rights and how they can support the children’s best interests.

What Rights am I Entitled to as a Grandparent?

Nearly 8 million children live with their grandparents throughout the United States, including more than 2.6 million children living in homes where the grandparents are the primary heads of household. Grandparents who serve as primary caregivers often have certain rights regarding the children, as well as options for financial assistance. Even if you are not the primary caregiver, you have the option to pursue certain rights as a grandparent in the wake of a divorce or separation in your family. Here are some important things to be aware of as grandparents:

1. Custody and Guardianship

There are multiple Illinois statutes that give grandparents options for custody and guardianship of their grandchildren. For example, the Illinois Probate Act gives you the option to seek guardianship, rather than custody, of your grandchild. The child’s parents must voluntarily allow this, and they remain financially responsible for the child, so you may receive child support in this case. You also have the option to request custody and authority for most decision making for the child under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, provided that the parents consent. Adoption, through which a grandparent acquires full parental rights, is an option when the parents are no longer living, or when there is cause for the termination of parental rights due to neglect, abuse, or other serious complications. 

If you have been injured in any type of accident where someone else is at fault, you have likely thought about how much money is necessary to compensate you for your injuries. While no one can fully restore your health or erase the pain you have felt, monetary damage awards can certainly help to make you whole again.

The ultimate goal of any personal injury suit is to help the victim return to a life as close as possible to his or her life before the accident occurred. In order to achieve this goal, Illinois law recognizes several types of damages that may be awarded in such a lawsuit. The two most common types of damages are “economic damages” and “non-economic damages.” Together, these two types of damages comprise what Illinois law calls “compensatory damages.”

Economic Damages for Personal Injury Victims

Economic damages are those out-of-pocket expenses that are tangible and can be documented. For example, medical bills are economic damages because a medical provider invoice can be used to prove how much the treatment costs. Another example of economic damages is property damage. With this type of damage, a repair shop’s invoice can be used as evidence of how much property damage was caused by the accident.

Each year, when the clock strikes midnight on December 31, people around the world celebrate the ending of the year and welcome in the new year. One of the most popular traditions that is observed for New Year’s is making resolutions to improve yourself and your life. For some people, this may mean quitting smoking or eating healthier and exercising more. If you are going through or have recently finalized your divorce, there is no better way to start your new year than by making it a priority to be happier and healthier than ever before. 

With just a few weeks left in 2020, it is not too early to start thinking about how to make 2021 better for yourself and your children. Here are a few New Year’s resolutions that you can commit to in the wake of your Illinois divorce.

Resolution #1: Pick Your Battles

Fighting with your ex is exhausting. For many couples, divorce means constant arguments and opposition about nearly every aspect of the life they once shared. The divorce is probably not even the beginning of the fighting. You have most likely been arguing with your spouse about trivial things—and non-trivial things—for years. In the coming year, try to be more selective about your battles with your ex. If you feel an argument about to erupt, try to determine whether or not the fight is worth it. Chances are that things will be easier and you will be happier if you just refuse to fight.

Most of us barely think twice when we cross a busy road. We assume that the drivers of the cars and trucks around us will follow traffic laws and operate their vehicles with attention and caution. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Distracted drivers and those under the influence of drugs and alcohol are the most likely to ignore traffic laws and put pedestrians in danger. Sometimes, a motorist strikes a pedestrian simply because the driver was not paying attention or did not see the pedestrian.

In 2019 alone, more than 6,500 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic accidents in the United States, an increase of 5 percent compared to 2018 and 10 percent more than in 2017. In the same year, more than 100,000 pedestrians required emergency medical treatment for crash-related injuries. If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to recover compensation.

Reacting to a Pedestrian Accident

There are certain steps you should take after any car accident, such as calling the police and taking pictures of the accident scene as well as the damage to both vehicles. Doing these things, however, is often not possible if you have been injured as a pedestrian. There is a good chance that you will not be able to do much of anything until the situation settles down and you have been treated for your injuries. However, as soon as you have the opportunity, it is a good idea to contact an attorney who can help with your case.