York High Counselor Disciplined After DUI Arrest Video Surfaces

ELMHURST, IL – A York High School counselor was put on paid leave after a video of her DUI arrest appeared online earlier this month.

Through a public records request, Patch on Friday obtained documents on Bendicsen's discipline from Elmhurst School District 205.

The video of the May arrest was posted Aug. 7 to the "Transparency Bodycam" YouTube channel. In the footage, Bendicsen named-dropped members of the arresting agency, the Villa Park Police Department, including an ex-boyfriend who used to work there. She also knew the supervising officer.

Five days after the video surfaced, the district put counselor Cathleen Bendicsen on administrative leave while it investigated. The district said the video alerted officials to her arrest.

During her leave, Bendicsen was ordered not to speak about the case with any employees, other than union leaders, to lessen "any further negative impact" to her and the district. She was also forbidden from going onto district property and using district technology.

Six days after she was placed on leave, she met with school officials. She confirmed the DUI arrest on May 16 occurred after a retirement party at the Guaranteed Rate office in Elmhurst, which is at 115 W. Adelaide Street. The party was in honor of retiring York counselor Bill Gardner.

In an email exchange about the party beforehand, a co-worker said she couldn't make it because she was sick.

"Have so much fun and bring back lots of stories for Monday!!!!!!" she told recipients of the invitation.

One story that apparently wasn't brought back that Monday was Bendicsen's arrest. In the summary of its investigation, the district said Bendicsen told no one about it.

The district also said no one, except Patch, had contacted her about it.

"You are concerned about how it impacts you in the future with students and staff and are looking to work with administration on the best paths to move forward," Joseph Schumacher, assistant superintendent of human resources, said in the summary, which was addressed to Bendicsen.

A counselor, he said, is a role model for students and other members of the school. The arrest video hurts Bendicsen's professional reputation and calls into question her judgment as an employee who advises students on academics, social-emotional wellness and learning, he said.

Because of the incident, the district banned Bendicsen from driving a district car for any purpose. She also will not be considered for co-curricular and extra-duty positions.

In later years, Bendicsen may be considered for such positions if she requests a review. Such a review, Schumacher said, would include, among other things, steps taken related to alcohol dependency.

Bendicsen has been instructed to tell her superiors if she is arrested or involved in any incident outside work that may impact her professional reputation in the district. She also must work with the principal for any written responses to parents or students asking about her DUI arrest.

She was to return to work last Tuesday, Schumacher said.

No trial date has been set. Bendicsen has not returned messages for comment.

District 205's approach to an employee's DUI was far different from officials in charge of Bolingbrook High School. Bolingbrook High's principal, Jason Pascavage, who lives just south of Elmhurst, received no discipline after he was arrested on a DUI charge by Elmhurst police, according to public records.

In the video posted online, Pascavage repeatedly asked officers to "please help me" and changed his story about whether he had been drinking.