Chicagoans Reunite with Their Drives: Free License Reinstatement Expo Helps Those Struggling Under Weight of Suspended Licenses.
Over the weekend, hundreds gathered in Cook County for a free driver's license reinstatement expo. The event, which has been held annually during Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month, offered residents like Calanthea Caldwell, 36, an opportunity to have their licenses restored after years of suspension.
Caldwell, an operating room technician at Rush University Medical Center, was one of several individuals who were overwhelmed with debt from the constant need for Uber rides. Her license had been suspended in 2014 after she received a ticket for driving without insurance and subsequent violations that added to her financial burden.
"I'm crying tears of joy because I've waited years to get my license back," Caldwell said, visibly emotional. "I'm racking up more debt than I'm able to pay working one job."
The event, which partners with the Illinois secretary of state's office, the Cook County public defender's office, judges, and pro bono attorneys, saw nearly 500 people register for assistance. The team of lawyers on site worked tirelessly to help individuals like Caldwell resolve their cases.
For Jamari Cotton, a 22-year-old electrical engineering student at Western Illinois University, the expo was a lifeline. His license had been suspended after he accumulated multiple traffic violations before turning 21. But thanks to his pro bono attorney Martha Soto and the event's lawyers, all of his 2025 cases were dismissed.
"I've just been granted a privilege again," Cotton said, beaming with relief.
While both Caldwell and Cotton still need to complete a driving test and re-register their licenses before returning to the road, they are grateful for this opportunity to regain control over their lives.
The expo's founder, Alex Garcia, stated that the continued need for such events highlights how license suspensions disproportionately impact people of color. "We hope elected officials change policies so there won't be a need to host them in the future," he said.
Deputy public defender Parle Roe-Taylor noted that public transportation can be time-consuming and ride-sharing expensive, making it difficult for individuals to afford alternative options. "The vast majority of reasons I see people's licenses suspended are an inability to pay fines or an inability to come to court because they have family obligations," she said.
As the expo came to a close, organizers expressed hope that their efforts would lead to positive policy changes and fewer residents facing similar struggles in the future.
Over the weekend, hundreds gathered in Cook County for a free driver's license reinstatement expo. The event, which has been held annually during Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month, offered residents like Calanthea Caldwell, 36, an opportunity to have their licenses restored after years of suspension.
Caldwell, an operating room technician at Rush University Medical Center, was one of several individuals who were overwhelmed with debt from the constant need for Uber rides. Her license had been suspended in 2014 after she received a ticket for driving without insurance and subsequent violations that added to her financial burden.
"I'm crying tears of joy because I've waited years to get my license back," Caldwell said, visibly emotional. "I'm racking up more debt than I'm able to pay working one job."
The event, which partners with the Illinois secretary of state's office, the Cook County public defender's office, judges, and pro bono attorneys, saw nearly 500 people register for assistance. The team of lawyers on site worked tirelessly to help individuals like Caldwell resolve their cases.
For Jamari Cotton, a 22-year-old electrical engineering student at Western Illinois University, the expo was a lifeline. His license had been suspended after he accumulated multiple traffic violations before turning 21. But thanks to his pro bono attorney Martha Soto and the event's lawyers, all of his 2025 cases were dismissed.
"I've just been granted a privilege again," Cotton said, beaming with relief.
While both Caldwell and Cotton still need to complete a driving test and re-register their licenses before returning to the road, they are grateful for this opportunity to regain control over their lives.
The expo's founder, Alex Garcia, stated that the continued need for such events highlights how license suspensions disproportionately impact people of color. "We hope elected officials change policies so there won't be a need to host them in the future," he said.
Deputy public defender Parle Roe-Taylor noted that public transportation can be time-consuming and ride-sharing expensive, making it difficult for individuals to afford alternative options. "The vast majority of reasons I see people's licenses suspended are an inability to pay fines or an inability to come to court because they have family obligations," she said.
As the expo came to a close, organizers expressed hope that their efforts would lead to positive policy changes and fewer residents facing similar struggles in the future.
i'm soooo glad this is happening!! free license reinstatement expo is literally a lifesaver for ppl like calanthea & jamari 
they've been thru hell & back cuz of suspended licenses, but now they're one step closer to getting back on the road 
it's crazy how many ppl are affected by this issue, esp ppl of color who get hit harder 
alex garcia & his team r doin some amazing work here 
let's hope it inspires change on a bigger scale 
I'm totally feeling this! Free license reinstatement expoes are literally lifesavers for people struggling under the weight of suspended licenses 
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. We should definitely be advocating for policy changes that address these disparities and provide more support for low-income communities 
. And let's give a shoutout to all the amazing pro bono attorneys like Martha Soto who are making a real difference in their clients' lives 
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. So here's to organizers like Alex Garcia and Deputy public defender Parle Roe-Taylor – keep spreading the love and fighting for positive change 
I'm low-key glad this event exists, it's like a safety net for people who got stuck with suspended licenses due to financial struggles. It's not anyone's fault, just bad luck. But instead of letting that lead to debt collectors and ruined credit scores, we've got pro-bono attorneys and courts stepping in to help. That's the kind of community support I can get behind 
. Like, people should be able to get back on the road without all that drama 
. It's crazy how some licenses getting suspended can put a person in debt 
. I think it's great that pro bono attorneys are stepping up to help out, but like Alex said, we need policies in place to prevent this from happening so often 
. Maybe some kind of transportation assistance program or something? That would be a game-changer for people struggling 
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. But at least this expo showed that there are people who care and want to make a difference 
. It's all about finding ways to address the systemic issues that lead to these problems in the first place 
. Maybe we'll see some changes down the line, fingers crossed!
I'm so stoked to see this amazing event happening in Chicago! It's like, people were stuck in this vicious cycle of debt and suspended licenses, but now they're finally getting a chance to start fresh 
. And can we talk about how the expo team is just doing it out of the goodness of their hearts? It's like, no strings attached 
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. They're just so grateful to have their licenses back, and it's inspiring to see them feeling like they can finally breathe a sigh of relief 
. Bring on that positive change! 
but in all seriousness, this expo was a lifesaver for these individuals & it's awesome that there are people like alex garcia & martha soto out there helpin others 
.
It's not rocket science, folks, it's about access to affordable transportation and financial resources. The fact that they're partnering with the public defender's office and pro bono attorneys shows that some people are willing to help out, but we need systemic changes to prevent this from happening in the first place. 
. The lawyers on site were 
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. It's like, why did they even get suspended in the first place? 
is all about makin' a change 
!
It's not like they're asking for much, just a chance to get back behind the wheel and live their lives without all this financial stress 
Like, come on, we can do better than that! 
I mean, I'm all for people getting a second chance, but let's get to the root of these problems and make some real changes