There are two types of Secretary of State hearings: informal and formal.
Formal hearings have to be reqested in writing, require a $50.00 fee and are scheduled 5-7 weeks after receipt of the written request. There are only four locations for formal hearings in Illinois: Chicago, Joliet, Mt. Vernon and Springfield.
Informal hearings do not necessarily require advance notice nor a fee. Informal hearings are held at Secertary of State locations. There are many locations in the Chicagoland area where informal hearings are conducted.
Whether you need an informal hearing or a formal hearing is dependent upon the reason you lost your license. If you lost your license based upon one (1) DUI, you will need an informal hearing. If you lost your license because you had two or more charges of DUI, you will need a formal hearing.
Once a hearing takes place, it takes the Illinois Secertary of State’s Office 4 – 6 weeks to mail you its written decision. In other words, they do not tell you if they are going to give your license back at the hearing, they just say “thank you” we’ll mail you our decision.
Although you can go to the hearing yourself, you really should have an experienced attorney who has experience with Secertary of State hearings.
I have been assisting individuals for over 18 years at Secertary of State hearings. There is much more information I can give you once I know your specific circumstances.
