Illinois Proposes Lowering DUI Limit to 0.05, One of Nation's Strictest

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Illinois lawmakers are considering a major change to the state's drunk driving laws that would lower the legal blood-alcohol limit for a DUI from 0.08 to 0.05, making it one of the strictest in the nation. The proposal, filed by Rep. Daniel Didech (D-59th), would update the Illinois Vehicle Code by replacing every '0.08' reference with '0.05,' effectively creating a single standard for nearly all motor-vehicle offenses.

Why it matters

Supporters say lowering the limit could reduce traffic deaths and bring Illinois in line with recommendations from safety groups. Utah is currently the only other state with a 0.05 limit, so this would make Illinois one of the strictest states in the country when it comes to drunk driving laws.

The details

House Bill 4333 would lower the legal blood-alcohol limit for a DUI from 0.08 to 0.05, and would govern driving, boating, snowmobiling, and even workplace injury claims. Most standard science‑based BAC charts show that at 0.05 BAC, an average person would begin to experience reduced coordination, impaired judgment, and other signs of impairment.

• The proposal, filed by Rep. Daniel Didech (D-59th), updates the Illinois Vehicle Code.
• The bill has been assigned to a committee in the Illinois House but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.

What’s next

The bill has been assigned to a committee in the Illinois House but has not yet been scheduled for a hearing. If passed, the new 0.05 DUI limit would go into effect in Illinois.