To pay the reinstatement fee, or not to pay the reinstatement fee, that is the question
About 12 days after your arrest you will receive a confirmation from the Secretary of State that defines your suspension period, and asks you to send from $250 - $500 in a blue envelope enclosed in the letter.
Generally speaking you should talk to your attorney before you pay the fee. First, if the municipality who arrested you agrees to throw out the suspension YOU DONT HAVE TO PAY THE REINSTATEMENT FEE. If you do have to pay the reinstatement fee it will be $250 if this is your first DUI, and $500 if it is your second or more (including DUI supervisions). For you second offenders there are some exceptions so make sure and check with me before paying.
When should you pay the reinstatement fee. Well the Secretary of State's office is among the slowest in the nation. Which means that if you are paying by check you should give them 45 days (before the end of your suspension). You can pay by VISA by calling them at 217 782 3619, inexplicably it will take them another 3-5 days to process the VISA charge. (I told you they were slow)
As in all of these situations, it is better to ask before you pay, because getting a refund from the Secretary of State can be a slow affair, no surprise there.
Ray Flavin
