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Is reckless driving a felony in Illinois?
I’ve never been pulled over for reckless driving before, but I have a bit of a lead foot when I’m on the highway. My friend told me that reckless driving is a felony in Illinois and that I should cool my jets. What type of charge is reckless driving?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
While speeding is a poor decision on your part, reckless driving is not a felony in Illinois for first-time offenders. The Secretary of State actually classifies reckless driving as a Class A misdemeanor, which means it will stay on your record if you can’t plead down to a lesser charge or get supervision from the state.
If you’re pulled over on suspicion of reckless driving, you’re at the mercy of the police officer. The Illinois law is written in such a way that the officer has full discretion over determining whether you were driving recklessly. If you’re pulled over, remain calm and be polite to the officer, as he or she decides whether to issue a citation.
If you’re charged with reckless driving, you face:
- Up to $2,500 in fines plus court costs
- No more than 364 days in the county jail
- 55 points on your license, as Illinois uses a 110-point scale
- Suspension of your license if you get more than two reckless driving charges in a 12-month period
However, the district attorney (DA) may offer you supervision if you’re an otherwise upstanding citizen. Supervision allows you to have the charge expunged, or removed from your record, if you agree to:
- Driving school
- Community service
- Pay a fine
If you’re convicted of reckless driving—or any other traffic offense—your car insurance rates will go up as a result. That’s when the
Jerry
app can help.Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.
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