Kildeer officer charged with DUI, speeding

A Kildeer police officer traveling 61 mph over the speed limit was arrested and charged with DUI, Lake Count sheriff's police said Monday.

Officer Suzan Jackson, 42, faces possible disciplinary action from Kildeer police officials. In addition to driving under the influence of alcohol, she was charged with reckless driving and speeding.

Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Christopher Thompson said Jackson was arrested just after midnight Saturday while traveling north on Route 12 near Route 134.

After she was pulled over by a Lake County sheriff's sergeant, Jackson was asked to take a Breathalyzer test and field sobriety tests, police said.

"(Jackson) was asked to perform those and she refused," Thompson said. The sheriff's officer believed "based on his conversations with her" that Jackson was incapable of driving due to intoxication. Thompson said one passenger who was in the car was given a ride home.

Kildeer police said Jackson was off duty at the time and was driving a personal vehicle, a 2004 Mustang.

Jackson has been placed on indefinite paid administrative leave from her job. Her next court date is Feb. 20.

"To me, this is a very serious allegation," Kildeer Police Chief Jeffrey Lilly said. "We can't afford to treat this lightly."

Lilly said his department can decide to change her status based on the results of the investigation. Jackson works as a detective in investigations, but holds the rank of officer, according to Lilly.

"If there is a behavior on her part that violated policy ... we'll take appropriate action," he said.

Lilly said the department is deeply troubled by news of the accusation and plans to take any necessary action.

"If the facts of our investigation support disciplinary action, we will take disciplinary action," Lilly said. "If she's exonerated, that will come to light also."