After publicly apologizing for being arrested and charged with driving under the influence, Lee County State's Attorney Anna Sacco-Miller says she'll take a leave of absence and that she will not seek re-election.
Sacco-Miller was arrested around 7 a.m. Sunday, November 15, 2015, after she allegedly crashed her vehicle into an unoccupied parked car in Dixon, Illinois. She was charged with DUI, DUI with a blood alcohol level over .08, and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
The day after the incident, she issued a public apology. Now, she says she will take a 30-day leave of absence and that she will not run for re-election.
"I'm pained and embarrassed in how I've let down the citizens of Lee County," Sacco-Miller said in a statement she issued Wednesday, November 18, 2015. "I'm more embarrassed and ashamed by how I've let down my two children and husband."
In her public announcement on Wednesday, Sacco-Miller said she was coming home from a night out with friends and had fallen asleep at the wheel, before hitting the parked car. She said a breathalyzer test revealed she had a blood alcohol content of .10 percent.
Sacco-Miller also told the press the law enforcement staff was thorough and did not gave her any special treatment. She said she does not plan to hire an attorney and is will face the consequences for her actions.
"Many people have kindly reminded me that even elected officials are human, and make mistakes," Sacco-Miller said. "I hold myself to a higher standard and I think the community deserves that"
Sacco-Miller has not decided whether or not she will resign after her leave of absence. She said she does plan on checking herself into a treatment facility. She also said the people of Lee County can still count on her as State's Attorney.
"I'm taking responsibility, I'm doing what I need to do, to take care of myself, to make things better for the citizens of Lee County," said Sacco-Miller. "I believe good people make bad decisions sometimes, and they deserve a second chance."
This is Sacco-Miller's first arrest. She said she has not had any issues with alcohol abuse before this. Her first appearance is set for December 16th. However, she said she believes she will be in a treatment facility at that time and will need to move the court date.