McHenry County Board chairwoman charged with DUI

(WOODSTOCK) The chairwoman of the McHenry County Board was charged with DUI after failing field sobriety tests during a traffic stop early Friday morning, according to police.

Tina R. Hill, 54, was pulled over for “a minor traffic violation” about 1:40 a.m. in the 1000 block of North Seminary Avenue in Woodstock, according to Woodstock Police Chief Robert Lowen.

After the officer conducted field sobriety tests, which Hill failed, she was arrested “for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol,” the chief said in a statement.

While she was being booked at the police station, Hill complained of chest pains and asked to be taken to a hospital, the statement said. She was then taken to Centegra Hospital in Woodstock.

Because she was hospitalized before a breath test was administered at the stations, “Hill submitted to a blood test to determine level of alcohol present,” according to Lowen.

He said the blood test was sent to the state lab for analysis, but results had not yet been received.

When she was released from the hospital about 11 a.m. Friday, she was charged with misdemeanor DUI, and cited for improper lane usage and not having a driver’s license in her possession, Lowen said.

She was released on a $100 cash bond and ordered to give up her driver’s license, the chief said. Her next court appearance will be Nov. 6 at 8:30 a.m. in Woodstock.

Hill, a Woodstock resident and 1982 UIC graduate, has been a member of the McHenry County Board since 2002, according to her campaign website.

She served as a legislative assistant to state Rep. Michael Tryon from 2005-12, and also serves as a GOP precinct committeeman and vice-chair of the Dorr Township Republican Party.