Charged with DUI, Des Plaines alderman's court appearance delayed until after election
A court appearance for a Des Plaines alderman charged with driving under the influence has been delayed one month - to a date after the April 6 local election.
First Ward Alderman Mark Lysakowski had been scheduled to appear in the Rolling Meadows branch of Cook County circuit court Monday. But the hearing was postponed until April 8, a court officer said.
The case was delayed to give Lysakowski's attorney, Frank DiFranco, more time to collect reports, video and other evidence, DiFranco said Monday afternoon.
A city council member since 2017, Lysakowski is facing a write-in challenge from former City Clerk Gloria Ludwig in the upcoming election. Ludwig has said Lysakowski's arrest was among the reasons she decided to run.
Lysakowski hasn't responded to repeated interview requests from the Daily Herald. DiFranco said Lysakowski "should be treated like any other citizen and cloaked in the presumption of innocence as the Constitution provides."
Lysakowski, 47, was arrested about 2 a.m. Jan. 18 after a traffic stop in Mount Prospect.
He had bloodshot and glassy eyes, had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, slurred and mumbled his words and had difficulty opening his wallet, the arresting officer reported.
Lysakowski told the officer he'd consumed two beers before driving, the report states. Before his arrest, Lysakowski also showed the officer an envelope that revealed his name and political title, according to the report.
Lysakowski refused to submit to field sobriety testing or give a breath sample for analysis, the report said.
In addition to driving under the influence, he was charged with improper lane usage and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.