In her DUI arrest, a Cook County politician told Chicago cops, ‘I’m an elected official.’
Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele Refused to Cooperate with Officers
During her arrest for DUI in Chicago earlier this month, a Democratic member of the Cook County Board of Review made sure that cops at the scene of a crash she caused knew they were dealing with a politician.
Body-Camera Videos Show Refusal to Cooperate
In police body-camera videos from the incident in Andersonville on Nov. 11 that WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times obtained this week, Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele repeatedly refused to cooperate with officers who responded, including requests from cops to get out of the smashed car she was driving.
“You Don’t Want That! I’m an Elected Official”
One officer told her, “Ma’am, if you don’t exit the vehicle … I’m going to help you to exit, and you don’t want that.”
“You don’t want that! I’m an elected official,” Steele shot back.
“Elected official of what?” the officer asked.
“Cook County,” Steele told him.
Steele Refuses to Provide Name or Cooperate with Officers
When the officer asked for her name, Steele held out her hand and said, “I’m Sam.”
The cop replied, “Sam who?” But Steele did not give the police her full name at that point.
Steele Eventually Provides Driver’s License and Exits Car
It wasn’t until her attorney, Democratic Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton of Glenview, arrived at the scene that Steele gave her driver’s license to police and exited the car.
Aftermath of the Arrest
Two days after the arrest, Britton said he was not a defense attorney and would not be representing Steele in her case. Britton said Steele had an attorney but he would not identify the lawyer.
Charges and Court Date
Police charged Steele with one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol. She has not commented publicly on the case. Her court date is Dec. 27, records show.
Board of Review Meeting Scheduled
The next Board of Review meeting is scheduled for Dec. 2. Steele, 45, was first elected to the Board of Review in 2022, after being an elected county official in Indiana.
Federal Whistleblower Lawsuit
The Democrat and her chief of staff are facing a federal whistleblower lawsuit filed recently by former aide Frank Calabrese, who obtained the body-camera footage of the arrest through an open-records request to police and shared it with WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times.
Conclusion
The incident has raised questions about Steele’s behavior and her ability to serve as a public official. The case is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how it will impact her political career.
FAQs
Q: What is the Cook County Board of Review?
A: The Cook County Board of Review is a three-member board that has the power to rule on property tax appeals, effectively reducing tax bills.
Q: What is the purpose of the Board of Review?
A: The Board of Review is responsible for reviewing and adjusting property tax assessments to ensure that they are fair and accurate.
Q: What is the significance of this incident?
A: The incident has raised questions about Steele’s behavior and her ability to serve as a public official. It has also sparked concerns about the potential impact on her political career.
Q: What is the current status of the case?
A: Steele is facing a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Her court date is Dec. 27, records show.
