A Chicago-area Democratic Party official was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, and police say she was captured on body camera video “failing to comply” during the arrest.
According to chicago police departmentSamantha Steele, 45, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on Nov. 10 at 8:49 p.m.
“Ma'am, if you don't want to get out of the car…I'll help you get out of the car, but I don't think you want that.”
Police found Steele, a Democrat. commissioner For Cook County Board of Review District 2 — Lying on the sidewalk; According to Until the arrest report.
Police said they found significant damage to the front ends of a Honda Accord and a Dodge Charger near Steele's car.
Steele told officers he was driving southbound on Ashland Avenue when the car accident occurred, police said.
Officers said Steele was “involved in an accident.”
Police said they noticed a half-empty bottle of red wine near the passenger seat of Steele's car.
According to Chicago Sun-TimesPolice body camera video showed the officer joking that the Cabernet Sauvignon was “good” and that the breath mints “didn't help mask the strong odor.” [an] Alcoholic drinks,” he exhales.
Officers also allegedly noted that her eyes were “bloodshot and glassy.”
When the officer asked how much he had drunk, Steele reportedly refused to answer and deflected by saying, “I want you to get a lawyer. I'm not talking to you.”
One of the officers was heard saying, “It smells like alcohol. He's been drinking.”
Police body camera video shows her trying to get out of the car. Initially, she did not attempt to provide the officer with her driver's license.
police officer hearing body cam video “She's not going to leave. We're going to have to get her out. As you can see, she's not compliant right now,” he told an alleged friend of Steele's.
The officer told her, “Ma'am, if you don't get out of the car…I'll help you get out of the car, but you don't want that.”
Steele fired back at the officer. ”you I don't want to do that! I'm an elected official. ”
The policeman asked, “What office were you elected to serve?”
Steele said he is a Cook County lawmaker but would not disclose his title.
When the officer asked for his name, Steele held out his hand for a handshake and replied, “I'm Sam.”
The officer replied, “Sam, who are you?”
Steele refused to give his full name to officers.
Steele refused to get out of the car until her attorney, Democratic Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton of Glenview, arrived.
Mr. Britton told Mr. Steele: “Don't say anything. Don't say anything.”
Police said Steele was “swaying back and forth” during the interrogation.
Steele reportedly initially refused to take a field sobriety test.
Body camera video shows police handcuffing Steele.
After being handcuffed, Steele agreed to a field sobriety test, but allegedly claimed he suffered a head injury in an accident and needed medical treatment. She was again handcuffed, loaded into an ambulance and taken to a local hospital, according to the police report. She was later discharged from the hospital.
The arrest report states Steele made lewd comments toward the arresting officer.
Steele allegedly asked the officer, “Is your penis really that small?”
Police impounded her car.
Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison called for Steele to resign from the Cook County Board of Review, citing his “aggressive behavior” during his arrest.
“This incident raises serious concerns about her actions and judgment as an elected official,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement. “If elected officials don’t respect dedicated police officers, how can we expect the public to respect them?”
Mr. Steele was first elected to the Cook County Board of Review in 2022.
Steele is scheduled to appear in court on December 27th.
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