Madison County Board member Charles “Skip” Schmidt (R-Edwardsville) pleaded guilty to a DUI charge on May 11 in Associate Judge Veronica Armouti’s courtroom.
He was sentenced to 12 months of supervision.
Schmidt previously entered a not guilty plea on April 18 to offenses including DUI, changing the lane without a signal, improper lane usage, speeding and driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
Prior to his guilty plea, Armouti rescinded a statutory summary suspension and returned Schmidt's license by agreement between Schmidt and the state so he could attend medical appointments.
According to court documents, the statutory summary suspension would have taken effect at 12:01 a.m. on May 15 for a minimum of six months.
Schmidt, 74, was charged after an Edwardsville officer observed Schmidt failing to use a turn signal on South State Route 157 while driving a 2019 Nissan at approximately 6:49 p.m. on March 30.
“The driver had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath as he spoke,” the law enforcement sworn report states. “The driver showed signs of impairment during field sobriety tests.”
Schmidt’s blood alcohol concentration was reportedly .097.
This was Schmidt’s first DUI offense.
Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine filed a motion for appointment of a special prosecutor on April 18.
“The prosecution of the defendant by the state’s attorney’s office could be a conflict of interest for the office, or alternatively, could create the appearance of an impropriety (sic). It is in the interest of justice that a special prosecutor be appointed to avoid any such appearance,” he wrote.
Jersey County Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Tellor agreed to accept the appointment and entered his appearance on April 21.
Schmidt is represented by attorneys with The Joiner Law Firm in Edwardsville.
He declined to comment, but said his attorneys did an excellent job.