Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele phoned in Monday for her first assembly since her arrest for driving inebriated, becoming a member of the proceedings remotely “as a result of sickness.”
She didn’t tackle the incident through the assembly, solely congratulating fellow commissioner Larry Rogers on his re-election shortly after being sworn in. Steele, one among three members of the quasi-judicial physique that hears property tax appeals, had no touch upon his Nov. 10 arrest. A Democrat who additionally labored on scores in Indiana, Steele was first elected to the council in 2022.
Frank Calabrese, a former worker of Steele’s workplace who sued over his firing, spoke through the assembly’s public remark interval. He shared video of his arrest and mentioned it confirmed “a sample of misconduct that undermines the integrity of the board.”
Calabrese is in talks over a settlement over his dismissal, in keeping with county board paperwork. Steele beforehand declined to debate it, citing ongoing litigation.
Footage of Steele’s arrest obtained by means of an open information request to the Chicago Police Department confirmed officers eradicating a half-empty bottle of wine from the passenger seat and Steele’s admission to hitting two vehicles. The movies confirmed Steele repeatedly refusing officers’ requests, together with to get out of the automobile and undergo a subject sobriety check.
“Ma’am, if you do not get out of the automobile, I’ll aid you out and you do not need that,” an officer mentioned.
“You don’t desire this. I’m an elected official,” Steele responded.
She was finally taken to hospital after complaining of hitting her head through the accident. Although there was no physique digicam footage, in keeping with the arrest report, Steele repeatedly requested the officer accompanying him, “Is your penis that small?” The arrest report was first obtained by WBEZ and the Sun-Times.
Steele’s board colleagues made solely imprecise allusions to the arrest throughout Monday’s assembly.
“I’ve all the time thought it was necessary to take my position as commissioner severely, understanding that I do not symbolize myself, I’m elected to symbolize the district, symbolize the federal government and symbolize Cook County,” Rogers mentioned through the speech. after taking the oath of workplace, by no means naming Steele however noting that he held himself “to a excessive normal.”
“That mentioned, we’re all human and aren’t, as elected officers, good. And we have to prolong one another grace… assist… and a few understanding,” Rogers mentioned.
Rogers was the one member of the three-person board to take part within the vote this yr.
Although all three members are Democrats, Steele — a self-described reformer — has typically clashed with the board’s different two commissioners over staffing, information transparency and workplace politics.
His different colleague, Commissioner George Cardenas, additionally didn’t tackle Steele immediately, however mentioned he is aware of that different board members “are dedicated to serving all Cook County taxpayers with integrity and dedication” and that the workplace’s work “will proceed with out distractions.” .”
Sean Morrison, the one Republican on the Cook County Board — which is separate from the board of overview, however oversees its finances — known as on Steele to resign, citing his lack of respect for officers on the scene. The Tribune requested feedback from County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and different county commissioners whose districts overlap Steele’s final week. All declined to remark or didn’t reply.
