Lawyers, judges to offer help Saturday to those with suspended driver’s licenses

People who need help getting their suspended driver’s licenses reinstated can seek free legal help — and possibly even get the suspension lifted — at the Driver’s License Reinstatement Expo on Saturday at Malcolm X College.

As part of a partnership between the Chicago Bar Association and the Cook County Public Defender, attorneys will be ready to assist anyone who may needs a driver’s license reinstated.

“That’s why we call upon the attorneys to be here, so they could actually review the cases and actually tell them how to process and how to go forward,” said Manuel J. Medina, board president of the Pilsen Neighborhood Community Council, a partner for the event.

Two Traffic Court judges will be on hand and can issue rulings as to whether to reinstate someone’s license, Medina said. Officials from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office will be there and can help immediately reinstate a driver’s license to those who become eligible, Medina said.

Medina said the event is primarily designed to help people who may have their driver’s license suspended because they miss a court date or their car fails the state’s emissions test.

David A. Sanders, president of Malcolm X College, said a suspended driver’s license can often prevent a student from completing certain career programs, such as nursing, as a it may come up on a background check.

“This allows us to address that, and clean their record up, get them back on track and help them to get to where they want to go,” Sanders said.

The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Malcolm X College, located at 1900 W. Jackson Boulevard.