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Illinois · Pilot county

Cook County: DUI arrest data

Sample estimates

Cook County (Chicago) processes approximately 11,500 DUI arrests per year (an estimate). This page shows illustrative sample figures for how long processing takes and what bail looks like, to show how county data will be presented once real records are published.

Cook County DUI at a glance

Shortest modeled release
5–10 hrs
Weekday morning arrest
Longest modeled release
16–36 hrs
Weekend night arrest
Typical 1st-offense bail
$3,000
Range: $1,500–$10,000
OR / PR release rate
~12%
Released without bail on 1st offense

01Processing times

Cook County DUI processing times

Estimated hours from arrest to release. Actual time depends on booking volume, bond officer availability, and whether bail is needed.
Modeled hours from arrest to release, by day of the week and time of the arrest
Mon – ThuFri – Sun
Morning6 AM – Noon
5–10hmid 7.5
10–20hmid 15
AfternoonNoon – 6 PM
6–12hmid 9
12–24hmid 18
Evening6 PM – 10 PM
8–16hmid 12
14–28hmid 21
Night10 PM – 6 AM
10–20hmid 15
16–36hmid 26

Each box shows the range; its shade follows the middle of the range (“mid”, in hours):

  • 6 or less
  • Over 6 to 12
  • Over 12 to 20
  • Over 20

Illustrative estimates, not yet derived from real booking records.

02Booking

Booking at Cook County Jail / Chicago Police District Lockup

The stages the sample models, in order.
Jail

Cook County Jail / Chicago Police District Lockup

2700 S California Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
Court

Arraignment

Circuit Court of Cook County

48–72 hours after arrest

  1. Arrest and transport

    A person arrested in Cook County is transported to Cook County Jail / Chicago Police District Lockup for processing.

  2. Booking (fingerprints, photo, property)

    Belongings are catalogued and stored, and a final BAC test or blood draw may be taken at the facility. The sample models booking at 1–2 hours.

  3. Holding until a bond officer reviews

    A bond officer reviews the charges and criminal history. In Cook County the sample models this as the longest wait, especially overnight and on weekends.

  4. Bail set or release on recognizance

    Bail is set from criminal history, BAC level and the circumstances of the offense. In the sample, about 12% of first-offense DUI defendants in Cook County are released on their own recognizance, without cash.

  5. Release

    Once bail is posted or recognizance release is approved, release paperwork is modeled at 30 minutes to 2 hours. A court date for arraignment follows, listed as 48–72 hours after arrest.

03Bail

Cook County DUI bail amounts

Illustrative figures, not court records. Actual bail is set by a judge and depends on the case.
Cook County sample bail amounts by offense
OffenseTypical bailRangeCost to post a typical bail
1st Offense DUI$3,000$1,500 – $10,000$300 · 10% deposit with the court
2nd Offense DUI$10,000$5,000 – $25,000$1,000 · 10% deposit with the court
Sample text, not sourced. Illinois uses 10% deposit bonds posted with the court rather than commercial bondsmen.
Factors the sample treats as raising bail: BAC of 0.15% or more, an accident or injury, a child passenger, a prior DUI within 5 years, a commercial driver's license.

04Court

Court information: Cook County

Court

Circuit Court of Cook County

50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602

Arraignment: 48–72 hours after arrest. This is the first court appearance, where the charge is read and a plea is entered.

Court website

05Related

More on Illinois

Data note: Processing times, bail ranges and release rates on this page are illustrative estimates, not derived from real booking records, and may not reflect current conditions. Facility names and addresses are unverified entries. Actual bail is set at the judge's discretion. This page is general information for data analysis, not legal advice. See the Disclaimer.