(Rockford) – Americans have driven fewer miles than usual during the pandemic, but Driving Under the Influence (DUI) accidents and arrests persist.

In Illinois, there were 26,224 DUI arrests statewide in 2019, according to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. Nine out of ten drivers arrested for DUI lost their driving privileges, at least temporarily. 

While statewide arrest data for 2020 will not be available until later this fall (to include data from police departments and municipalities across Illinois), Illinois State Police data show a decline in their arrests during the pandemic, from 7,468 in 2019 to 5,947 last year. 

In Illinois, anyone placed under arrest for a DUI must provide an alcohol and drug evaluation before sentencing can happen, and before any restriction or reinstatement of driving privileges can be approved by the Office of the Secretary of State.

The evaluation is used to determine the extent of the person’s substance use and any potential public safety risks. Areas reviewed include the person’s driving record, blood alcohol tests, Objective Test score, and an interview with an assessor. Any inconsistencies must be resolved; otherwise the person may get driving privileges revoked, have to pay to undergo another assessment, or have their DUI sentencing delayed. 

Upon completion of the alcohol and drug evaluation, a classification and a recommendation are determined by the assessor, completed on the Alcohol and Drug Uniform Report form, and submitted to the Court or the Office of the Secretary of State. Thereafter, the person will have their driver's license hearing.

TASC provides fee-based DUI alcohol and drug evaluations for anyone who has been arrested for DUI in Illinois and who must undergo an evaluation. This includes individuals charged with a DUI or trying to get their license back after it has been suspended or revoked. The assessment can take place in person, over the phone, or via videoconferencing. 

For individuals unable to pay the fee, free evaluations are available for those who qualify by the State of Illinois income guidelines. 

Assessments are available to anyone in the state by calling TASC’s Rockford office at 815-965-1106. Or, email Alicia Wallschlaeger to schedule an assessment or to ask about TASC’s services.

TASC is licensed by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) to provide DUI assessments and other services that help people address substance use disorders and support their recovery. 

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(Photo by Evgeny Tchebotarev on Unsplash)