DuPage Hopeful Nabbed For DUI In 2024, Didn't Know Where He Was: Police

WILLOWBROOK, IL – A DuPage County Board candidate was arrested on a DUI charge two years ago, with an officer saying he was staggering and slurring his words.

Democrat Marcus King, a Willowbrook resident, is running for a four-year District 3 board seat against Republican Kari Galassi of Hinsdale.

King did not return Patch's message from a week ago.

District 3 includes all or parts of Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Burr Ridge, Darien, Westmont and Willowbrook, among other towns.

Before dawn on Aug. 17, 2024, a state trooper saw a driver, identified as King, on the side of Interstate 55 near Springfield, according to a police report.

The officer knocked on King's car window. King was slow to come around and looked confused, the report said.

King, whose speech was slurred, said he didn't know where he was and had run out of gas, police said. He said he was coming from Chicago to Springfield for a funeral.

Later in the stop, it was discovered that King had already been to Springfield and checked into a hotel there, police said.

When he got out of his car, he staggered and almost fell, according to the report.

Asked how much he had to drink, King responded, "Nothing, it's been a while," police said.

King could not name his hotel in Springfield and did not know how he got where he was, police said.

He was charged with DUI and reckless driving. His blood-alcohol level was measured at .143, the report said.

As part of a later plea agreement, King pleaded guilty to reckless driving, but not to DUI, according to court records.

Under the terms of the June 2025 agreement, King was placed under court supervision. He was required to perform 60 hours of community service, undergo an alcohol and drug assessment, and complete all recommended treatment within six months.

In recent months, King's campaign has held at least two alcohol-themed events. One was called "Toast to Tomorrow: A Wine Tasting for Progress." Another event was held at Skeleton Key Brewery.

Under the agreement, King was also barred from leaving Illinois without the court's consent. He visited Belize last winter. Nothing in the court records indicated he got consent, but it's unclear whether such a notation would be included.