Proceedings resumed for a second day in Courtroom 410 at the Richard J. Daley Center in the bench trial of Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele. The misdemeanor DUI charge dates back to a November 10, 2024, single-vehicle crash near 5028 N. Ashland Avenue in Chicago’s Uptown/Ravenswood neighborhood, where officers reported finding Steele with slurred speech, an odor of alcohol on her breath, and difficulty standing.

The first day of Samantha Steele’s high-profile DUI trial got underway Monday morning in Chicago before Cook County Judge Donald Suriano. Because this is a bench trial, Judge Suriano will decide the verdict without a jury.

Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele’s DUI case was reassigned to a new judge after a February 9, 2026 court hearing in which prosecutors said they were ready for trial. According to the court minute sheet in People v. Steele, the defense filed a motion for substitution of judge, sending the case to Judge Suriano. A pretrial hearing is set for May 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with a jury trial scheduled for May 4 and 5, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 408 at the

FOX 32’s Anita Blanton questioned Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele about her DUI arrest. Steele denied being drunk, claimed CPD bodycam video was edited, and said she’s a victim of “deep fakes.”