CHAPTER 6 - THE ILLINOIS DRIVER LICENSING LAW

625 ILCS 5/6-117.1

Sec. 6-117.1. Prohibited use of driver's license information.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/6-117.1
Offense Description
Prohibited use of driver’s license information
Offense Classification
Petty Offense
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Eligibility (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/6-117.1 (Prohibited use of driver’s license information) is classified as a Petty Offense. Statutory sentencing scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000. Court appearance is not mandatory (pre-set bond or notice to appear), and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Petty Offense

No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000

Court Appearance Mandate Release on Notice (No Mandate)

Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.

Pretrial Fairness Act (SAFE-T Act) Presumptive Pretrial Release

Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

Secretary of State License Sanction Standard Administrative Protocol

No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Classification Petty Offense
Court Appearance Pre-set Bond / Release on Notice
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code None Assigned

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (1)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Prohibited use of driver’s license information Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/6-117.1 -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 6-117.1. Prohibited use of driver's license information.

(a)

(a) When information is obtained from a driver's license to identify or prove the age of the holder of the license, or in the course of a commercial transaction, that information may be used only for purposes of identification of the individual or for completing the commercial transaction in which the information was obtained, including all subsequent payment, processing, collection, and other related actions. Information obtained from a driver's license may not be used for purposes unrelated to the transaction in which it was obtained, including, but not limited to, commercial solicitations. Information obtained from a driver's license to identify the holder of the license, or in the course of a commercial transaction, may not be sold, leased, or otherwise provided to any third party.

(b)

(b) Any individual whose driver's license information has been used in violation of this Section has a cause of action against the person who violated this Section. Upon a finding that a violation did occur, the individual whose information was used in violation of this Section is entitled to recover actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages in the amount of $250 for each violation, plus attorney's fees and the costs of bringing the action.

(c)

(c) Use of information contained on a driver's license is not a violation of this Section if (i) the individual whose information has been used gave express permission for that use or (ii) the information relating to the individual was obtained from a source other than the individual's driver's license.

(d)

(d) This Section does not apply to any agency of the United States, the State of Illinois, or any other state or political subdivision thereof.

(e)

(e) This Section does not apply to the transfer of information to a third party if (i) a federal or State law, rule, or regulation requires that the information be transferred to a third party after being recorded in specified transactions or (ii) the information is transferred to a third party for purposes of the detection or possible prosecution of criminal offenses or fraud. If information is transferred to a third party under this subsection (e), it may be used only for the purposes authorized by this subsection (e).

(f)

(f) This Section does not apply to the use of information obtained from a driver's license which has been provided by the holder of the license in the course of a potential or completed employment, commercial, business or professional transaction for the purpose of completing written documents including, but not limited to, contracts, agreements, purchase orders, retail installment contracts, buyer's orders, purchase contracts, repair orders, applications, disclosure forms or waiver forms.

(Source: P.A. 94-892, eff. 1-1-07.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/6-117.1 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/6-117.1 (Prohibited use of driver’s license information) is classified as a Petty Offense.

Sentencing Scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/6-117.1 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

No Mandatory Court Appearance (Pre-Set Bond / Notice to Appear): Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.

Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 5/6-117.1 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?

Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 625 ILCS 5/6-117.1?

Standard Administrative Protocol: No automatic driver's license suspension or mandatory revocation is triggered by this offense code alone upon citation.

Official Legal Citation Formats

Legal & Academic Reference

Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.

Illinois Supreme Court Citation 625 ILCS 5/6-117.1 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/6-117.1 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-6-117.1
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes