Bensenville trustee pleads guilty, calls shoplifting an 'honest mistake'
A Bensenville village trustee has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor retail theft charges but says her conviction has no impact on her role as an elected official.
According to court records, Susan Janowiak, 61, of the 1000 block of West Donna Lane, shoplifted gift bags, gift cards, jeans, wreaths and gift boxes worth less than $300 around 10:50 a.m. on Dec. 11 from a Villa Park Wal-Mart.
Janowiak, who also has served as village clerk and president of the Bensenville Park District, pleaded guilty this week and was sentenced to one year of court supervision, ordered to perform 30 hours of community service and to pay $407 in court costs. She also is not allowed in the Wal-Mart.
Janowiak said Friday that doctors advised her to plead the case out.
"I'm not a healthy person. I had cancer and I'm in treatment so I pleaded guilty to get it over with and move past this silly incident without it adversely affecting my health," Janowiak said Friday. "I paid for the stuff in the top portion of my cart and forgot about the stuff on the lower rack. It was an honest mistake and when they approached me I apologized and offered to pay for everything."
Sources, however, said surveillance footage captured Janowiak entering the store with a large black shopping bag and putting the items in the bag to appear as if she had been shopping at another store.
"I did have the bag and I used it because I had a lot of small loose things in the bottom of the cart," she said. "I know it sounds goofy, but I just forgot about that stuff."
Since her arrest, Janowiak said she has heard calls for her to step down. She said she thinks possible future opponents are trying to dig into her personal life for their political gain.
"I assure you this has nothing to do with my role as trustee. This situation in my personal life does not impact my commitment or feelings to the village at all," she said. "This was a small bump in the road that won't affect my ability to fully and faithfully discharge my trustee duties."
Village President Frank Soto did not return calls Friday seeking comment about Janowiak's conviction.
Janowiak must return to court on Jan. 12, 2017, with proof of her community service and a clean record.