---
title: "What aggravating factors elevate a Chicago DUI to felony?"
description: "Illinois lists more than a dozen aggravating factors under 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d) that convert a misdemeanor DUI into felony aggravated DUI. The most common triggers include a third or subsequent..."
url: https://chicagoduilawyer.net/faq-items/what-aggravating-factors-elevate-a-chicago-dui-to-felony/
date: 2026-07-08
modified: 2026-07-08
author: "Chicago DUI Lawyer"
type: faq
lang: en
---

# What aggravating factors elevate a Chicago DUI to felony?

Illinois lists more than a dozen aggravating factors under 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d) that convert a misdemeanor DUI into felony aggravated DUI. The most common triggers include a third or subsequent offense, DUI while driving a school bus with passengers, DUI causing great bodily harm, DUI without a valid license or insurance, DUI in a school zone during posted hours, and DUI with a child under 16 in the vehicle. The chicagoduilawyer.net brand sees felony charging decisions vary by Cook County branch court. A savvy defense identifies the specific subsection early because the mandatory minimums differ, and so do the negotiation openings.