It’s not every day that a politician goes to jail. And never for this reason.
Now the shocking arrest of this Democrat after a police chase is dropping jaws.
Bodycam footage has revealed an Illinois Democrat’s troubling behavior during a DUI stop, where she attempted to pull rank by declaring herself “an elected official” when officers asked her to step out of her car.
Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele was arrested on November 10 after allegedly driving under the influence and colliding with multiple vehicles.
The situation took a bizarre turn when Steele allegedly questioned an officer, asking if his “p*nis was that small.”
The video captures an officer offering to assist Steele out of her car, to which she retorted, “You don’t want that. I’m an elected official.”
When the officer asked, “Elected official of what?” she replied, “Cook County,” refusing to provide further information or even her last name. Steele also made it clear she didn’t want to be recorded.
Initially refusing to exit her car without her attorney, Steele eventually complied but only after temporarily resisting the field sobriety test.
Officers noted she “smelled like alcohol” and discovered a wine bottle on the passenger-side floor, along with Altoids and an open pack of gum, presumably in an attempt to mask the scent.
The drama didn’t stop there. After being placed in a patrol car, Steele managed to slip out of her handcuffs and had to be re-secured.
She eventually agreed to take a sobriety test but refused to complete it, according to police.
Her attorney, fellow Democrat and Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton, appeared on the scene, advising her to remain silent.
However, Britton clarified to the Chicago Sun-Times that he is not representing Steele in her DUI case.
She is scheduled to appear in court on December 27 to face a misdemeanor charge for driving under the influence.
Adding to the controversy, Steele requested an ambulance after complaining about a head issue and was transported to a hospital.
As a commissioner for Cook County’s 2nd District, Steele holds a significant role in ruling on property tax appeals, influencing the tax burdens of her constituents.
However, her credibility is now in question, with the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board labeling her actions “embarrassing” and calling for her resignation.
Steele’s political future may be hanging in the balance as she faces legal and public scrutiny over this incident.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
