Crime & Traffic

Road, traffic light and handcuffs

Crime & Traffic

Cannabis
(9 resources)
How do you get medical cannabis?
Explains the medical cannabis program (MPC) in Illinois, including who qualifies, how to apply, and how to renew your registration.
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Cannabis legalization and expungement basics
Learn how the legalization of cannabis in Illinois may impact your life and what can happen now if you had a criminal record due to cannabis use.
Guide
What do I need to work in a cannabis dispensary?
Explains the basic requirements of working in a cannabis dispensary including agent identification cards, applications, and training requirements.
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Cannabis use and expungement common questions
Find answers to common questions about cannabis use and expungement in Illinois. Find out who can buy, use, and grow cannabis, where you can use it, and how to clear cannabis-related criminal records.
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Human Trafficking
(5 resources)
The Illinois Trafficking Victims Protection Act
A blog about the Illinois Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
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Introduction to human trafficking
The basics of human trafficking, how to identify it, and what to do if you or someone you know is a victim.
Video
Department of Justice: human trafficking prosecution
A webpage from the US Department of Justice about human trafficking prosecutions, relevant case law, and resources.
Link
Immigration remedies for survivors of human trafficking
A video about human trafficking victims in the immigration system, including working with law enforcement and T-Visas.
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Driver's licenses, state ID, or permits
(18 resources)
Getting a state ID or driver’s license
Learn about the steps you need to take to apply for an Illinois ID or driver’s license, including gathering documents and booking your appointment.
How-To
Driver’s license for immigrants
Explains the Temporary Visitors Driver's License (TVDL) and who may qualify, including undocumented immigrants
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Documents needed to get a state ID or driver's license
Find out which documents you need to get an Illinois state ID or driver’s license.
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Vehicle emissions testing
Learn who needs an emissions test, where to go, available exemptions, and what happens if you don’t test your car.
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Car accidents
(3 resources)
What should I do when a car accident happens?
Explains the proper procedures to follow for drivers and passengers in vehicle accidents, including whether police must be called to the scene.
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Which car seats are required?
Learn about Illinois rules for car seats, seat belts, and child safety, including what drivers need to know when transporting kids.
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What to expect after a car accident
This article explains what to do after a car accident, including how to gather important information, understand court rules, calculate damages, and deal with auto insurance.
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Parking or traffic tickets
(21 resources)
Paying my Chicago traffic fines common questions
Learn how to handle Chicago traffic tickets. Find answers about paying, contesting, setting up payment plans, deadlines, and what happens if you miss a payment.
FAQ
Traffic violations and your immigration status
​Discover how traffic violations can impact your immigration status. Understand how ICE handles different offenses and what may lead to detainment.
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Getting your license back if it was suspended for unpaid tickets or tolls
Learn how to get your driver’s license reinstated after a suspension for unpaid traffic tickets, parking fines, or tolls with these steps.
How-To
Is it legal to tow someone without giving notice?
Explains that in order for your car to be towed there must be signs saying so, if not then they owe you your money back.
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Car ownership
(8 resources)
Do I pay Illinois taxes when buying a car in another state?
Understand when to pay Illinois car sales tax when you buy a car in another state.
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How do I sell my car?
Explains the taxes and paperwork involved in selling your car
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Transferring a car with a Small Estate Affidavit
You can use a Small Estate Affidavit (SEA) to transfer a car, but you must go through the Secretary of State.
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Car loan basics
Understand car loans, including what to do before applying, interest rates and APR, and what you can negotiate.
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Other car, driving, or licenses issues
(12 resources)
Driver’s license for immigrants
Explains the Temporary Visitors Driver's License (TVDL) and who may qualify, including undocumented immigrants
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Do I pay Illinois taxes when buying a car in another state?
Understand when to pay Illinois car sales tax when you buy a car in another state.
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ID cards for people with disabilities
Outlines getting a state ID that proves your disability and the qualifications for getting one.
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DUI basics in Illinois
Driving under the influence does not only mean driving under the influence of alcohol. You can be arrested for DUI if you are under the influence of any drug. If so, your ability to drive will be impacted.
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Criminal Records
(39 resources)
Criminal record expungement or sealing request
A program to help you complete the forms to ask a court to expunge or seal your adult criminal record. Depending on your answers, the program gives you the forms you need to file.
Easy Form
Expunging or sealing a criminal record basics
Learn about sealing and expunging criminal records in Illinois, including eligibility, the process, and available resources for help.
Guide
Getting copies of your criminal records
The first step in clearing your criminal record is finding out what is on it. Learn how to collect the documents you need to clear your record.
How-To
Expunging or sealing a criminal record common questions
Find answers to common questions about sealing or expunging a criminal record, like who qualifies, how long it takes, and what offenses can be cleared.
FAQ
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A crime I saw or was hurt by
(15 resources)
Assault vs battery, what's the difference?
Information about how the legal differences and punishments for assault and battery.
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What is the legal definition of self-defense?
Explains when you can fight back if you're attacked or if you feel like you're in danger.
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Stalking No Contact Order
A program to help you ask the court to order a person who is stalking you to stay away and stop contacting you.
Easy Form
Reporting a crime in Illinois
Explains how to report a crime, including how to contact police, protections for immigrants, and available legal help, especially for victims seeking U or T Visas or VAWA support.
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Interacting with police
(20 resources)
Cash bail changes - 2023 SAFE-T Act
As of September 18, 2023, Illinois courts no longer use a cash bail system. Instead, they use a “pretrial release” system as allowed by the SAFE-T Act. Learn more about this new system and what it means.
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If I carry an ID, do I have to identify myself?
Explains the rules that people must follow for self-identification with the police.
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Traffic violations and your immigration status
​Discover how traffic violations can impact your immigration status. Understand how ICE handles different offenses and what may lead to detainment.
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My rights when I'm under arrest or in custody
Describes what rights people who get arrested have while in custody. Explains what you're allowed to do when interacting with law enforcement and what they are allowed to do to you.
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A criminal charge as an adult
(14 resources)
Getting copies of your criminal records
The first step in clearing your criminal record is finding out what is on it. Learn how to collect the documents you need to clear your record.
How-To
Bonds and the end of cash bail in Illinois
This article explains what a bond is, the elimination of bonds in Illinois, and how judges now decide whether to release someone before their trial.
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I missed my criminal court date. What now?
Explains what to do if you weren't able to change your court date and missed going to court.
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Can I get a DUI for driving high?
A blog about the possible penalties for driving while under the influence of drugs.
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Asset seizure and forfeiture
(5 resources)
Get my impounded car back - Chicago
Steps to recover your impounded car in Chicago from finding the location it was towed to paying the fees.
How-To
Getting back my forfeited property
The police sometimes take property from people they arrest. This explains how to get that property back.
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Costs for storage of impounded cars - Chicago
If your car is towed or impounded for outstanding parking ticket debt in Chicago you have several options. The cost of storage fees for impounded cars in Chicago is listed here together with links to the search tool offered by CPD called "Where's my car?"
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Going to a hearing for an impounded car - Chicago
Explains that you can challenge the City of Chicago's decision to impound your car at an administrative hearing
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Juvenile justice system
(15 resources)
What do abbreviations on a RAP sheet mean?
Explains the common shortening of words on a RAP sheet so that you can understand your arrest record. Includes abbreviations of charges, sentences, dispositions, court terms, police terms, and convictions.
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Juveniles in the criminal justice system
Learn what happens when a juvenile is arrested in Illinois, their rights during questioning, and when they can be tried as an adult.
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Criminal records common questions
Find answers to common questions about criminal records in Illinois, including how they’re created, who can see them, how to fix mistakes, and ways to clear them.
FAQ
Finding my juvenile arrest records - Cook County
Find out how to request juvenile arrest records in Cook County. Learn where to go, what to bring, and how long it takes to get your records.
How-To
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Prisoners' rights
(11 resources)
Re-entry resources for prisoners and former prisoners
Resources for recently released individuals returning from prison, including organizations that offer housing, education, employment, and other services for people with criminal records.
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Interacting with people in Illinois prisons
Explains what you need to do to talk to or visit with someone who is in an Illinois prison.
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Parole and other forms of release from prison
Learn about parole and other forms of release from prison. Includes the parole process, mandatory supervised release (MSR), and sentence credit.
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My rights when I'm under arrest or in custody
Describes what rights people who get arrested have while in custody. Explains what you're allowed to do when interacting with law enforcement and what they are allowed to do to you.
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Other crime and traffic issues
(29 resources)
Order of Protection
This Easy Form helps you ask the court to order someone to stop harming or threatening you, your children, or other household members.
Easy Form
Getting a state ID or driver's license basics
Find out which Illinois ID is right for you and what documents you need to apply for a state ID or driver’s license.
Guide
Cash bail changes - 2023 SAFE-T Act
As of September 18, 2023, Illinois courts no longer use a cash bail system. Instead, they use a “pretrial release” system as allowed by the SAFE-T Act. Learn more about this new system and what it means.
Text article
Emergency Order of Protection - Cook County
This Easy Form helps you ask the court to order someone to stop harming or threatening you, your children, or other household members. Email your forms to the court. For use only in Cook County.
Easy Form
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