Many people who receive a traffic ticket come to court and request an order of supervision. This disposition is authorized in most traffic violations that are punishable by fine only. However, judges may not grant supervision in the following cases:

• speeding in a construction or school zone and creating a potential hazard for workers or school children
• passing a school bus loading children
• second violation of driving without insurance
• second violation of displaying false evidence of insurance
• second violation of driving with registration suspended due to insurance violation
• certain offenses relating to truck and weight regulations

When a judge grants an order of supervision, either payment of a fine or attendance at Traffic Safety School or both is usually required. If a person fails to comply with any requirement imposed as part of the order of supervision, a judgment of conviction can be entered and additional fines and costs can be imposed.

A person placed on supervision is under the court's jurisdiction for four months. If no further violations are brought to the court's attention during that time, the case will be dismissed and the defendant discharged. However, if the court is notified of a violation within this time, a hearing will be scheduled and the violator notified. At the hearing, if the prosecutor proves that the violation occurred, the court can impose any sanction for the offense that the law allows.

In the past, orders of supervision were not reported to the Illinois Secretary of State. However, effective October 1, 2000, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is required by law to report all dispositions of supervision to the Illinois Secretary of State. These reports are confidential and can only be used to provide the court, law enforcement agencies and the Illinois Secretary of State with information. This information cannot be used to suspend or revoke driving privileges or be made available to insurance companies.