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 Scott’s Law (officially 625 ILCS 5/11-907(c), with 2026 expansions in…
Continue reading ›Articles Posted in Illinois Law Updates
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 ›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: Under Illinois’ SAFE-T Act (Pretrial Fairness Act), the State has to…
Continue reading ›By: W. Scott Hanken Former DUI Prosecutor | Voted “Best Attorney” by Illinois Times & State Journal-Register If you are facing a DUI or a high-stakes traffic violation in Springfield, Illinois, you are likely hearing about the “Digital Transformation” of our courts. While other counties have moved quickly, Sangamon County has taken a more measured,…
Continue reading ›Facing a criminal charge or DUI in Springfield can be overwhelming. The anxiety of the unknown is compounded by the logistical nightmare of getting to the Sangamon County Courthouse, taking time off work, and finding childcare. Fortunately, the landscape of Illinois courts has shifted dramatically. Effective March 1, 2026, significant amendments to Illinois Supreme Court…
Continue reading ›As an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney practicing in Springfield, Illinois for over 35 years, I’ve fought tooth and nail for countless clients slapped with DUI charges based on flimsy evidence. Time and again, I see police officers from the Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department and Illinois State Police leaning on the…
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