A press conference is scheduled Wednesday at noon outside the Madison County courthouse to draw attention to a clerical error that allows former U.S. Attorney Stephen Wigginton to retain driving privileges while prosecutors pursue a second DUI charge against him.
Madison County Board member Mike Walters, who chairs the county Judiciary Committee, also will call a special committee meeting Thursday night to discuss the failure of the Madison County Circuit Clerk’s office to schedule a hearing within 30 days of Wigginton's petition to rescind his statutory summary suspension.. Circuit Clerk Mark von Nida acknowledged the mistake occurred in his office due to a clerk setting a hearing date beyond the 30-day window.
On March 7, Associate Judge Jennifer Hightower lifted Wigginton's suspension, finding the state failed to timely conduct the hearing as required by law.
Walters, a Republican, and other county officials will be on hand at the press conference, including Board member Chrissy Dutton of Bethalto who will discuss how drunk driving has affected her family, by claiming the life of her brother.
Dutton, a Republican, also serves on the Judiciary Committee.