Wheaton Hires New Law Firm to Prosecute Former Councilman in DUI Case

WHEATON, IL - The city of Wheaton has hired a new law firm to prosecute the DUI case of a former Wheaton City Council member, and a current DuPage County Board member.

The city has hired Marquardt & Belmonte, P.C. to prosecute the charges brought against Grant Eckhoff. The attorney originally responsible for prosecuting the case on behalf of the city of Wheaton, Michelle Moore, has filed petitions to run for the DuPage County Board.

“Since Mr. Eckhoff is a member of the County Board and since his prosecution by a candidate for the County Board may create an appearance of impropriety, the City requested that the City’s DUI prosecutor withdraw from the case,” according to a statement released Tuesday by the city of Wheaton.

The state’s attorney’s office also indicated it would not prosecute the case since it represents the county board. State’s Attorney Robert Berlin contacted the Attorney General’s Office which also would not accept the prosecution of the matter.

“Consequently, the City has hired the law offices of Marquardt & Belmonte, P.C. to handle the matter,” according to the statement. “It is well experienced in handling these types of cases as is illustrated by its client list of 13 DuPage County municipalities.”

Eckhoff, of Glen Ellyn, was pulled over on March 2 at 7:30 p.m. after police said he failed to yield to an emergency vehicle while driving east on Manchester Drive near Liberty Drive in Wheaton, according to the Chicago Tribune. He was charged with Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor.