Cloudgate Healthcare LLC is a licensed alcohol and drug treatment provider in Illinois that routinely assists revoked drivers through the Illinois Secretary of State driver’s license reinstatement process. Our agency is highly experienced in preparing evaluations, treatment documentation, and DUI Risk Education certificates for formal and informal driver’s license hearings. We also review and respond to denial orders, when applicable.

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Our office is familiar with the legal and administrative standards imposed by the Secretary of State for clinical records. We ensure that all documents comply with the requirements of 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.90 and 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.440. Our evaluators and counselors are trained to ensure that all submitted documents meet regulatory content and formatting requirements. Our services support Illinois residents and out-of-state clients who are pursuing the reinstatement of their driving privileges.

 

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS VS. COPIES: UNDERSTANDING THE REQUIREMENTS

 

Under 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.90, the Illinois Secretary of State imposes strict rules regarding the submission of original documents versus copies. Only original documents will be accepted unless a specific exception applies. An original document is one that contains the original signature of the petitioner and/or the provider.

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• Evaluation: An original evaluation must be submitted. If the same evaluation must also be filed with a court, the provider may either print multiple original copies, each signed and dated, or sign both the original and the copy.

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• Updated Evaluation: The first submission of an updated evaluation must be an original. Copies may be accepted only for subsequent hearings where the same updated evaluation is re-submitted.

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• Investigative Report: Must be submitted as an original, prepared in accordance with 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.440(a)(6)(C).

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• Treatment Verification Form: Must be submitted as an original. This form includes the treatment plan, dates of service, attendance, and clinical impressions.

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• Treatment Plan and Discharge Summary: Copies are permitted for these documents, in accordance with 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.440(m)(2).

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• Continuing Care Plan: Copies of the Continuing Care Plan are allowed. However, periodic status reports and final summaries for continuing care must be submitted as originals on provider letterhead.

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• DUI Risk Education Certificate: A copy is acceptable in lieu of the original. 

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If an original is unavailable due to circumstances beyond the petitioner's control, a Verification Form composed by the Secretary of State may be used. This form must certify the document's authenticity and explain why the original is unavailable.

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Documents sent via facsimile or electronic transmission may be conditionally accepted. However, the petitioner must provide the original within a time period set by the hearing officer, not exceeding 14 calendar days.

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EVALUATION AND UPDATED EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS

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Uniform Report

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Pursuant to 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.440, evaluations submitted for Illinois Secretary of State hearings must include the following elements:

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• Chronological alcohol and drug use history from first use to present

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• All DUI dispositions, including out-of-state offenses

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• Arrests or implied consent suspensions for boating or snowmobiling under the influence

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• All alcohol or drug-related criminal convictions

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• A Treatment Needs Assessment from a licensed provider

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• Risk classification (Minimal, Moderate, Significant, High Risk-Dependent, or High Risk, Non-Dependent)

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The evaluation must be signed and dated by both the petitioner and the evaluator. The alcohol and drug use history may be included within the evaluation or attached separately, as long as it is signed and dated by the evaluator and includes the agency name.

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Evaluations must be current. A current evaluation is one completed within six months before the hearing date. If more than six months have passed, an updated evaluation must be submitted.

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Updated Evaluation

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An updated evaluation must be based on an in-person or virtual interview and prepared by the same agency that completed the original evaluation. The updated evaluation must contain the following elements:

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• Substance use and related incidents since the last evaluation

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• Any new treatment, intervention, or arrests

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• Current mental and physical health status

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• Recommendation for further treatment or treatment waiver

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• Confirmation that prior recommendations have been completed

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• Corroboration through an interview with a family member or significant other

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• A summary of support group involvement if classified as High Risk-Dependent

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The updated evaluation must be printed on the department's form and signed by the evaluator. It may not change a prior risk classification unless a detailed clinical explanation supports the change.

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TREATMENT DOCUMENTS FOR AN ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE HEARING

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Cloudgate Healthcare prepares and submits treatment documentation in strict compliance with 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.440 of the Secretary of State code. The following documentation is generally required for first-time alcohol/drug related hearings:

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• Treatment Verification Form: A standardized form published by the Secretary of State containing the treatment plan, dates, compliance summary, and clinical impressions.

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• Treatment Plan: A written document outlining the goals, objectives, and treatment modalities specific to the petitioner’s needs.

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• Discharge Summary: A document summarizing the treatment completed, attendance, clinical outcomes, and prognosis.

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• Continuing Care Plan: A plan developed upon discharge that includes scheduled support activities (e.g., support group meetings, follow-up sessions).

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• Periodic Continuing Care Status Reports: Reports submitted at intervals detailing attendance, progress, or any issues.

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• Final Continuing Care Report or Waiver: A closing report indicating the completion of continuing care or a clinical explanation for waiving the requirement.

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Except for the treatment plan, discharge summary, and continuing care plan, all treatment documentation must be submitted as originals. These documents must be printed on the provider's letterhead.

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INVESTIGATIVE REPORT REQUIREMENTS

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An investigative report is required when ordered by the Secretary or as part of the hearing process. The report is typically submitted when a case presents drug or alcohol-related issues, but there is no DUI history. At a minimum, an investigative report must contain the following:

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• Complete alcohol and drug use history

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• Description of symptoms of abuse or dependence

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• Family history of substance use disorders

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• Past treatment history

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• Current medical, emotional, and psychological conditions

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• Medications that may impair driving

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• Criminal and traffic history related to alcohol or drugs

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• Support group involvement and rehabilitation efforts

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• Objective testing results and collateral interviews

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The investigative report must be completed by a qualified program, printed on the department’s form, and verified by the evaluator. The report must be corroborated by an interview with a significant other and an objective test.

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RISK CLASSIFICATIONS AND CORRESPONDING INTERVENTIONS

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Cloudgate Healthcare prepares documentation for all levels of DUI risk classifications. Each level has unique treatment and documentation requirements under 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.440:

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• Minimal Risk: Requires a 10-hour Driver Risk Education course. Copy of completion certificate is acceptable.

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• Moderate Risk: Requires 10 hours of DUI Risk Education, as well as 12 hours of early intervention. The provider must be licensed by Illinois Department of Health.

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• Significant Risk: Requires 10 hours DUI Risk Education, 20 hours of treatment, and continuing care or waiver. Requires original treatment verification and treatment documentation. Other documentation can be copies, except for continuing care status report or waiver.

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• High Risk, Dependent: Requires 75 hours of treatment, proof of abstinence, support group participation, and continuing care or waiver.

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• High Risk, Non-Dependent: Requires documentation of non-problematic use or abstinence (whichever applies), 75 hours of treatment, and continuing care or waiver. If a person is classified as non-dependent, the Secretary requires the provider to write a detailed explanation of how dependency was ruled out.

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RESPONDING TO A DENIAL AT A SECRETARY OF STATE HEARING

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Cloudgate Healthcare assists clients with addressing Orders of Denial. A denial may occur for several reasons, including errors in documentation, inconsistent statements, minimization of alcohol/drug use, or questioning whether the applicant gained sufficient knowledge from treatment. In response to a denial, our services may include:

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• Preparing a written response to address the reasons for denial

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• Clarifying inconsistencies with additional narrative

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• Completing a detailed chronological use history if client minimized at a prior hearing

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• Recommending and documenting supplemental treatment if prior treatment was deemed insufficient or ineffective

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Each response is tailored to the hearing officer’s findings. In complex cases, a more comprehensive plan may be required, such as completion of additional treatment sessions.

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THE ROLE OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN LICENSE REINSTATEMENT HEARINGS

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Cloudgate Healthcare provides clinical services only. We do not offer legal representation and are not involved in preparing clients for testimony or advising on legal strategy. We recommend that our clients consult with a qualified driver’s license reinstatement attorney prior to a hearing.

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A driver’s license reinstatement attorney typically provides the following forms of assistance:

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• Prepares the client for testimony

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• Assembles evidence for the hearing

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• Interprets Illinois administrative law and Secretary of State rules

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• Advises legal eligibility and strategy

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• Examines the client under oath at their hearing

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In general, evaluators and counselors do not attend hearings and do not participate in the legal proceedings. Our services are clinical by nature, not legal. We recommend that our clients consult with a qualified attorney to ensure that all legal aspects of the case are properly addressed.

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HOW CLOUDGATE CAN HELP

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Cloudgate Healthcare provides a full range of services to support driver’s license reinstatement in Illinois:

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• Evaluation and Updated Evaluation: Completed in full compliance with 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1001.440, including all required historical and clinical information

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• Treatment Services: Delivered by SUPR-licensed professionals and tailored to the petitioner’s classification

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• DUI Risk Education: Documented through a completion certificate meeting state standards

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• Investigative Report: Prepared when required and including all mandated components and corroborative materials

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• Treatment Plan, Discharge Summary, Continuing Care Plan: Composed in accordance with Secretary of State rules

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• Continuing Care Status Report or Waiver: Drafted to show current participation in continuing care program, or waiver detailing reasons that continuing care was not warranted

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• Response to Denial: Clinical explanation to clarify or supplement prior submissions

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Our clinical documentation is designed to meet the Secretary of State's document standards and support clients pursuing restricted permits or full reinstatement.

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CONTACT CLOUDGATE HEALTHCARE

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Cloudgate Healthcare provides evaluations, treatment, education, and documentation services for Secretary of State hearings across Illinois. We also help out-of-state clients who require our services to remove an Illinois hold on their driver’s license.

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Appointments are available both in-person and virtually. To learn more about how we can help, please contact our office at (630) 780-0262 or complete our contact form.