City Councilman McFarland ‘Coming From Work’ When Stopped at 2:30 a.m. and Charged With DUI: Cops

JOLIET, IL — City Councilman Jim McFarland claimed he was “coming from work” when a state trooper pulled him over at 2:30 a.m. on Interstate 80 and charged him with driving under the influence last month, according to a police report.

In his report, the trooper said he noticed McFarland’s silver Volkswagen swerving on westbound I-80 near Interstate 355 and saw it cross the solid white lane marker.

“As I was following the vehicle, I noticed it was traveling at a speed of 85mph in a 65mph zone,” the report said. “The silver vehicle then pulled over to the right shoulder before I initiated my emergency lights.”

Patch obtained police reports and McFarland’s booking photo Monday.

The Illinois State Police violated the Illinois Freedom of Information Act by withholding the reports and McFarland’s booking photo for three and a half weeks after a request was made for them. The state police only surrendered the report and photo following an appeal to the Attorney General’s Office.

State police Master Sgt. Kerry Sutton failed to respond to a message asking about the state police’s violation of the Freedom of Information Act.

In his report on McFarland’s traffic stop, the trooper said the councilman had “glassy, bloodshot eyes” and that a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was emitting from his breath as he spoke.” He also said McFarland’s “speech was very slurred and slow.”

“Before I could ask if he had been drinking, he said, ‘I haven’t been drinking’ and that he was coming from work,” the report said.

In his report, the trooper said, “I asked him to be straight up with me about how much he had to drink. He responded with ‘three drinks.’”

McFarland failed field sobriety tests and refused a portable breath test, the report said.

McFarland was arrested, handcuffed and taken to District 5 State Police Headquarters. He was charged with driving under the influence, speeding, improper lane usage and operating an uninsured vehicle, then released on his own recognizance after surrendering his driver’s license.

McFarland, a councilman-at-large, was elected to the council in April 2013.

Last year, McFarland’s alleged improper use of city envelopes for political purposes became the focus of investigation. In November, he admitted to using city-branded envelopes to send out letters for a Veterans Day breakfast and mailers for Joliet-area lost pets.

McFarland also came under scrutiny for his alleged use of a postal machine at the Forest Preserve District of Will County. He had been a community partnerships manager at the forest preserve district but resigned in October.

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed both matters but declined to pursue criminal charges.