According to the IL Secretary of State (SOS) in Illinois, any person who receives court supervision for a mandatory insurance violation or who is convicted of a third or subsequent violation of driving without liability insurance is required to file proof of financial responsibility (SR-22 certificate) for 36 months (3 years). The person's driver's license is suspended until this proof of insurance is filed with the state.

Financial Responsibility Insurance (SR-22) is the mechanism in Illinois to monitor the insurance of problem drivers. The SR-22 is a certificate of insurance filed by the home office of an insurance company directly to the IL Secretary of State and can be issued in one of the following forms:

1. Operator's Certificate - This policy covers the motorist in the operation of any non-owned vehicle. If the motorist does not own a vehicle, the financial responsibility requirement can be met this way.
2. Owner's Certificate - This policy covers vehicles owned by the driver. The type of vehicle must be listed on the SR-22 or may be issued for "All owned vehicles".
3. Operators-Owners Certificate - This certificate covers all vehicles owned or non-owned by the driver.

The SR-22 policy must meet the minimum Liability requirements for Illinois. The minimum amount of coverage must be issued for at least $20,000 for one person killed or injured, $40,000 for two or more persons killed or injured and $15,000 for property damage.

If you were uninsured and at-fault in an accident you may also be required to carry a SR-22 even if it is not yet your third or more time being cited for driving without insurance. Through provisions of the IL Safety and Financial Responsibility Law, motorists are held responsible for accident damages both administratively and through the court system. A driver that has been involved in an accident without having valid insurance in many cases is required to file proof of FR through the SR-22 form for a period of 1 to 3 years.

If you fail to pay for the other party's damages you caused then they may take you to court and seek a judgment against your for their repairs. Under this procedure, the person who suffered damages from the uninsured takes action in court and then the court orders the uninsured motorist to satisfy the judgment.

If the judgment is unsatisfied (unpaid) for 30 days, the court can order the IL Secretary of State to suspend the individuals driving and registering privileges. The suspension remains in effect until the requirements set forth by the court are met. If the judgment is for $500 or more, FR insurance (SR-22) must be filed for 3 years.

July 1, 2007 stricter penalties were placed on those that drive in Illinois without insurance. The IL SOS lists the new penalties as follows:

Now as a first time offender you must pay a $100 reinstatement fee plus receive a 3 month driver's license suspension (suspension continues until fee is paid to the Driver Services Department).

A second conviction for breaking Illinois' mandatory insurance laws results in an additional 6 month suspension (if arrest date is during the first suspension) or a 3 month suspension (if arrest date is not during the first suspension). This is on top of the fine amount and the $100 reinstatement fee. The license suspension continues until fee is paid to the Driver Services Department.

Then a third or subsequent conviction of driving without IL insurance results in an additional 6 month driver's license suspension (if arrest date is during the first suspension) or a 3 month suspension (if arrest date is not during the first suspension). SR 22 Insurance is also required for 36 months and your driver's license suspension will continue until this insurance certificate is filed with the state and the $100 reinstatement fee is paid.

On top of all of these penalties you also will receive a fine from the courts between $500 and $1000 for breaking their mandatory auto insurance laws whether it is your first or forth driving without insurance ticket in Illinois.

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