Woman Gets Prison Time For 6th DUI

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A woman has been sentenced to prison for her sixth driving while under the influence charge in McHenry County.

Valerie Whitlow, of Johnsburg, was sentenced to seven years in prison following her must recent DUI conviction, prosecutors said. The charge was filed after Whitlow caused a single-vehicle crash during the early morning hours of Jan. 29, 2022.

Authorities said Whitlow drove into a pole in front of 3025 Lincoln Road in McHenry, according to a news release from the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office. When police showed up, Whitlow's face was bleeding, and she told police she'd drank a bottle of wine before driving.

Authorities say she registered a blood alcohol concentration of .209 following her arrest.

At the time of her arrest, Whitlow had five prior DUI conviction, according to the news release.