By: W. Scott Hanken | Former Sangamon County Prosecutor | Springfield Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney |Voted “Best Attorney” — Illinois Times Best of Springfield & State Journal-Register Reader’s Choice | Springfield, IL • Sangamon County • (217) 544-4057 • hankenlaw.com Short answer: Most fireworks are illegal in Illinois — and in Springfield, the ban…
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Public Act 104-0169 took effect July 1, 2026 — raising the mandatory road test age to 87 and expanding the in-person renewal threshold to 79. By: W. Scott Hanken | Former Sangamon County Prosecutor | Springfield Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | Voted “Best Attorney” — Illinois Times Best of Springfield & State Journal-Register Reader’s…
Continue reading ›A Complete Guide to Civil and Criminal Protective Orders, Violations, Penalties, and Defenses Under Illinois Law By: W. Scott Hanken | Former Sangamon County Prosecutor | Springfield Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | Voted “Best Attorney” — Illinois Times Best of Springfield & State Journal-Register Reader’s Choice | Springfield, IL • Sangamon County • (217)…
Continue reading ›By: W. Scott Hanken | Former Sangamon County Prosecutor | Springfield Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | Voted “Best Attorney” — Illinois Times Best of Springfield & State Journal-Register Reader’s Choice | Springfield, IL • Sangamon County • (217) 544-4057 • hankenlaw.com A lot of people walk into my office convinced they have a winning…
Continue reading ›By: W. Scott Hanken | Former Sangamon County Prosecutor | Springfield Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | Voted “Best Attorney” — Illinois Times Best of Springfield & State Journal-Register Reader’s Choice | Springfield, IL • Sangamon County • (217) 544-4057 • hankenlaw.com Senate Bill 618 took effect July 1, 2026. Your favorite Springfield bar or…
Continue reading ›By: W. Scott Hanken Former Sangamon County Prosecutor | Springfield Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | Voted “Best Attorney” — Illinois Times Best of Springfield & State Journal-Register Reader’s ChoiceSpringfield, IL • Sangamon County • (217) 544-4057 • hankenlaw.com The short version: Starting July 1, 2026, Illinois law treats the posting or distribution of a…
Continue reading ›By: W. Scott Hanken Former Sangamon County Prosecutor | Springfield Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | Voted “Best Attorney” — Illinois Times Best of Springfield & State Journal-Register Reader’s Choice – Springfield, IL • Sangamon County • (217) 544-4057 •hankenlaw.com The short answer: Illinois’ Joe Coleman Act, also called the Medical Release Act, lets someone…
Continue reading ›By: W. Scott Hanken Former Sangamon County Prosecutor | Springfield Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | Voted “Best Attorney” — Illinois Times Best of Springfield & State Journal-Register Reader’s Choice – Springfield, IL • Sangamon County • (217) 544-4057 • hankenlaw.com The short answer: getting a ticket after a car accident in Springfield is not…
Continue reading ›By: W. Scott Hanken Former Sangamon County Prosecutor | Springfield Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | Voted “Best Attorney” — Illinois Times Best of Springfield & State Journal-Register Reader’s Choice – Springfield, IL • Sangamon County • (217) 544-4057 • hankenlaw.com The short answer: Under Illinois’ SAFE-T Act (Pretrial Fairness Act), the State has to…
Continue reading ›By: W. Scott Hanken Former Sangamon County Prosecutor | Springfield Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | Voted “Best Attorney” — Illinois Times Best of Springfield & State Journal-Register Reader’s ChoiceSpringfield, IL • Sangamon County • (217) 544-4057 • hankenlaw.com The Short Answer Yes — enormously. In a Sangamon County courtroom, who you know, how you’re…
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