Aggravated Speeding Charges in Lake County, IL

 Posted on September 26, 2026 in Traffic Law

Aggravated speeding in Illinois is a criminal charge. Once a driver is clocked at 26 miles per hour or more above the posted limit, the case moves out of ordinary traffic court and becomes a misdemeanor that carries possible jail time for a conviction. You also can’t pay it and move on. A court appearance is required.

If you were charged with aggravated speeding in 2026, a Deerfield, IL traffic crimes defense lawyer can explain which tier your case falls into and what outcomes are realistic.

What Speed Makes Speeding Aggravated in Illinois?

Illinois treats excessive speeding as a criminal offense once a driver exceeds the posted limit by at least 26 miles per hour. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-601.5, speeds of 26 through 34 miles per hour over the limit fall into the Class B misdemeanor range. Going 35 miles per hour or more above the limit raises the charge to a Class A misdemeanor. Either level can lead to jail time and substantial fines.

Illinois also has separate aggravated speeding offenses for special speed zones. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-605(e-5), driving 26 to 34 miles per hour over the school-zone speed limit is a Class B misdemeanor, while driving 35 miles per hour or more over it is a Class A misdemeanor. The same misdemeanor levels apply in highway construction or maintenance zones under 625 ILCS 5/11-605.1.

Can You Get Court Supervision for Aggravated Speeding in Illinois?

Court supervision, under 730 ILCS 5/5-6-1, may be available in some aggravated speeding cases. If you complete the conditions the judge sets for court supervision, the case ends without a conviction being entered. For most noncommercial drivers, a completed supervision does not appear as a conviction on the public driving record that employers or insurers can purchase from the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State still receives the supervision record, but it is generally kept on a confidential driving abstract.

What Affects Whether Court Supervision Is Granted for Aggravated Speeding

Some drivers are legally ineligible for supervision. You cannot receive it for aggravated speeding if you previously received supervision or a conviction for aggravated speeding. Supervision is also unavailable when the current offense involves driving 26 miles per hour or more over the speed limit in an urban district.

Illinois law also limits repeated use of supervision for moving violations. A driver who received court supervision twice for moving violations during the previous 12 months is not eligible for another supervision under that rule.

Drivers under 21 face additional requirements, and CDL holders are treated differently as well. Court supervision for a traffic offense is reported to the Secretary of State for CDL purposes and is treated as a conviction when determining commercial-driving disqualifications.

What Defenses Apply to an Aggravated Speeding Charge in Illinois?

Defenses in aggravated speeding cases usually come down to how speed was measured and whether the limit was properly in effect. Common angles include:

• Calibration records showing the radar or lidar unit was not tested on schedule

• Missing documentation that the officer was trained on the specific device used

• Weather, traffic volume, or roadside objects that can interfere with a reading

• Reliability problems with pacing, where an officer follows a car and reads their own speedometer

• Misidentification, when several vehicles were moving fast in the same area

• A speed limit that was not properly posted or legally established

• School zone hours or conditions that did not apply at the time of the stop

Your driving record, the effect a conviction would have on your job, and completing a traffic safety course before the court date all carry weight with a judge deciding whether to grant supervision.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Barrington, IL Aggravated Speeding Defense Attorney

Attorney Matthew Gebhardt has practiced law for over 20 years and previously worked as a prosecutor for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. He knows how these charges are evaluated before they ever reach a courtroom and where the State's proof tends to be thin. His practice spans criminal law across Illinois, and he handles aggravated speeding cases intending to protect your record rather than simply closing the file.

Contact The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C. at 847-239-4703 to talk to our Deerfield, IL traffic violations defense lawyer today.