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.

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.”

Cook County Democrats declined to endorse Board of Review incumbent Commissioner Samantha Steele for re-election, instead backing Liz Nicholson. Cook County Inspector General found she omitted public-sector clients on her Leonor Group’s economic-interest statements, breaching fiduciary duties. The ethics board fined her for leaking confidential info during a Bears property-tax hearing, and she is contesting a DUI from last year. She raised just $26,375 last quarter.