No jail for downstate fire chief in DUI chase

SAUGET -- The fire chief in the southwestern Illinois village of Sauget must spend two years on probation to resolve a charge that he drunkenly drove a village-owned SUV into a concrete pole.

As part of a plea deal, 48-year-old Fire Chief Roger Thornton will pay a $3,000 fine. If he doesn't get another DUI charge within the two years, his conviction won't be shown publicly and his license won't be revoked.

Thornton also will attend alcohol counseling.

Thornton had no DUI arrests before the one that followed his Oct. 18 accident.

He's told The Associated Press he made "a grave error in judgment" and that his actions "are not very becoming of me." He says he apologizes to all involved.