The Reinstatement Fee and What Triggers It

Illinois charges a $100 reinstatement fee to restore a driver's license suspended for child support non-payment. This fee is separate from any child support arrears you owe — it is what the Secretary of State charges to process the reinstatement itself. You cannot get your license back without paying this fee, even if you have made a payment arrangement with the child support enforcement office.

Your license gets suspended when the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) receives notice from the child support enforcement office that you are more than one month behind on payments. The suspension is automatic; you do not receive a separate court order. Once suspended, you cannot renew, replace, or reinstate your license until the enforcement office confirms to the Secretary of State that your account is no longer in default.

The $100 fee applies whether you are reinstating after a first suspension or a subsequent one. There is no reduced fee for partial payment or for reinstating a permit versus a full license.

Key Takeaways

  • The reinstatement fee is $100, paid to the Secretary of State, and is required in addition to any child support arrears you owe.
  • You must resolve your child support default with the enforcement office before the Secretary of State will process reinstatement, even if you pay the $100 fee.
  • Resolving default typically means paying arrears in full, setting up a payment plan, or obtaining a court order modifying your support obligation.
  • The enforcement office sends a clearance notice to the Secretary of State; reinstatement usually takes 5 to 10 business days after that notice is received.
  • If you cannot pay the full $100 fee when ready, some local enforcement offices will accept partial payment toward arrears first, then waive or defer the reinstatement fee in limited circumstances.

How to Resolve Your Child Support Default

Before you can pay the reinstatement fee, you must first bring your child support account out of default with the Illinois Department of Human Services, Child Support Enforcement Division. This is the agency that manages your case and reports your status to the Secretary of State. There are three main paths to resolution.

Full payment of arrears: If you pay the entire amount you owe in back support, the enforcement office will when ready send a clearance notice to the Secretary of State. You can then pay the $100 reinstatement fee and your license will be restored. Contact your local child support enforcement office to confirm the exact amount owed, including any interest or collection costs added to your account.

Payment plan or modification order: If you cannot pay the full amount at once, you can request a payment plan through the enforcement office or ask the court to modify your support obligation. A modification might lower your monthly payment if your income has decreased. Once a plan is in place and you make the first payment on time, the enforcement office can issue a clearance notice. You then pay the $100 reinstatement fee. The enforcement office has discretion to clear your license while you are on a payment plan, but this is not automatic — you must ask.

Court order or administrative review: If you believe the support amount is wrong, you were not properly served with the original order, or your circumstances have changed, you can request an administrative review or file a motion to modify in court. Until the review is complete or the court issues a new order, your license will remain suspended. This path takes longer but may result in a lower obligation going forward.

The Reinstatement Process After Default Is Resolved

Once your child support account is no longer in default, the enforcement office sends a clearance notice to the Secretary of State's office. This notice includes your name, date of birth, and driver's license number. The Secretary of State does not contact you directly — you must check your status or initiate reinstatement yourself.

You have two options to complete reinstatement. First, you can visit a Secretary of State facility in person with a valid ID and pay the $100 fee at the counter. Bring proof of your clearance if you have it, though the Secretary of State can verify the notice in their system. Second, you can renew your license online through the Secretary of State website if you are otherwise may be able to access (no medical suspensions, no other holds). The online renewal will prompt you to pay the $100 reinstatement fee as part of the transaction. Online renewal takes 5 to 10 business days for processing; in-person reinstatement is usually when ready.

Do not attempt to renew before your default is cleared. The system will reject your renewal and may charge you a failed transaction fee. Wait for written confirmation from the enforcement office that your case is cleared, or call the enforcement office to confirm before you pay anything to the Secretary of State.

What Happens If You Cannot Pay the $100 Fee Right Away

The $100 reinstatement fee is non-negotiable with the Secretary of State — there is no waiver or reduction available through that office. However, some local child support enforcement offices have limited discretion to prioritize payment of arrears over the reinstatement fee, especially if you are on a tight budget and the reinstatement fee would prevent you from making a child support payment.

Contact your local enforcement office and explain your situation. Ask whether they will clear your license for reinstatement if you commit to paying the $100 fee within a set timeframe — for example, within 30 days. Some offices will do this; others will not. There is no statewide policy, so the answer depends on your local office and the caseworker assigned to your file.

If the local office will not defer the fee, your only option is to save the $100 and pay it as soon as you can. In the meantime, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license in Illinois is a criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and additional license suspension.

Additional Costs Beyond the $100 Fee

The $100 reinstatement fee covers only the Secretary of State's processing. You are also responsible for paying the child support arrears themselves, which can be substantial. If you owe six months of back support at $500 per month, for example, you owe $3,000 plus any interest or collection costs the enforcement office has added.

Some enforcement offices charge collection fees or interest on arrears. These vary by office and by how long the debt has been outstanding. Ask your enforcement office for an itemized statement showing the principal amount owed, any interest, and any collection or administrative fees. This total is separate from the $100 reinstatement fee.

If your case has gone to court or if the enforcement office has referred your debt to a collection agency, additional court costs or collection agency fees may explore. These are not part of the reinstatement process but will affect your total financial obligation.

Timeline From Default to Driving Again

The timeline depends on how quickly you resolve your child support default. If you pay the full arrears amount today, the enforcement office can send a clearance notice to the Secretary of State the same day or within one business day. The Secretary of State typically receives and processes the notice within 2 to 5 business days. Once processed, you can pay the $100 reinstatement fee and drive when ready if you go in person, or within 5 to 10 business days if you renew online.

If you set up a payment plan, the timeline is longer. The enforcement office must receive your first payment, confirm it was made on time, and then decide whether to clear your license. This can take 10 to 20 business days depending on how the office processes payments and issues clearances.

If you request a court modification or administrative review, expect 30 to 90 days or longer, depending on court schedules and the complexity of your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the $100 fee if I set up a payment plan for my arrears?

Yes. The $100 reinstatement fee is required regardless of whether you pay arrears in full or on a plan. However, some local enforcement offices will clear your license for reinstatement once you have made the first payment on a plan, allowing you to pay the $100 fee separately. Call your local office to ask whether they will do this.

Can I get the $100 fee waived if I am low-income?

The Secretary of State does not waive the reinstatement fee. The child support enforcement office may have limited discretion to defer it or prioritize arrears payment first, but this is not may provide. Contact your local enforcement office to discuss your situation.

What if I pay the $100 fee but my child support default is not cleared?

Do not pay the $100 fee until your default is cleared. If you do, the Secretary of State will process your payment but your license will not be reinstated because the enforcement office's clearance notice has not been received. You will lose the $100 and still not be able to drive. Always confirm with the enforcement office that your case is cleared before paying the reinstatement fee.

How do I find my local child support enforcement office?

Contact the Illinois Department of Human Services at 1-800-447-6983 or visit the IDHS website to locate your county office. You can also search by county on the IDHS child support page. Have your case number or Social Security number ready when you call.

If I move out of state, do I still have to pay the $100 fee to reinstate in Illinois?

If you move to another state, that state's DMV will handle your license. However, your Illinois child support obligation does not disappear. The enforcement office can still suspend your Illinois license and report your debt to other states' DMVs. If you return to Illinois and want to reinstate, you will owe the $100 fee plus any arrears that have accumulated.