Samantha Steele DUI Case: Trial Is Set
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Samantha Steele's pre-trial court date in her DUI arrest is Friday, May 1, 2026
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 (24TR10067523), 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 Richard J. Daley Center.
The case stems from Steele’s November 10, 2024 arrest following a bizarre and highly publicized incident on the city’s North Side that has since sparked widespread outrage, calls for her resignation, and even international media attention. Steele was taken into custody after crashing her vehicle into two parked cars on Ashland Avenue in the Andersonville neighborhood. According to the police report and multiple witness accounts, she initially attempted to flee the scene but was unable to do so due to her car’s extensive damage.
When approached by Chicago police officers, Steele reportedly refused to exit her vehicle, declined to present a driver’s license, and twice stated, “I’m an elected official,” as if to dissuade officers from arresting her. Officers noted the strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech. A half-empty bottle of red wine was discovered in the vehicle’s front seat area. During her arrest, Samantha Steele taunted a Chicago police officer by repeatedly asking, “Is your penis that small?” Bodycam footage showed Steele rolling her eyes, appearing combative, and refusing sobriety tests while being transported from the scene. At one point, she called fellow Commissioner Scott Britton, who arrived to act as her informal legal representative at the crash site. The Chicago Sun-Times has since called for her resignation.
Case Number: 24TR10067523
Location: Richard J. Daley Center
50 West Washington St
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Courtroom 408
Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM
What: Pre-Trial Motion Hearing
Video: Samantha Steele Refused to Comply with Chicago Police Because She Was an "Elected Official"
Media Videos of the Samantha Steele DUI Incident and Arrest
Samantha Steele Mugshot
