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GOP Calls for Resignation of One of its Own By Teresa Cajot This week state Senator Suzi Schmidt is expected to announce whether she will resign from her post, abandon plans to run for reelection, or fight a seemingly hopeless battle to redeem her name following the release of a series of damaging 911 calls. The calls, which date back to December, concern domestic disputes between Schmidt and her husband, who was allegedly involved in an affair with another woman.
However, Schmidt’s political future has not been marred solely by her troubled marital relationship. It has also been marred by her words and her attempts to use her authority to influence the handling of the domestic disturbances. During her call to 911 in December, Schmidt informed the dispatcher that she was the former chairwoman of the Lake County Board and then asked that her husband’s call be ignored. As the chairman of the board, she managed the budget of Lake County’s Sherriff’s Department, leading many to assume that the unnecessary mention of her former title was evidence of an abuse of power. Furthermore, after the dispatcher informed the senator that officials would respond to all calls for help, Schmidt mentioned that her husband was afraid of her because “he knows I have connections.” Despite the senator’s suggestion, police did respond to Schmidt’s husband’s 911 call in December but no injuries were reported and no charges were pressed. In August officials were again called to the couple’s house when Schmidt allegedly rammed her Cadillac into her husband’s car repeatedly. Damage to her car was consistent with the claims but she denied all accusations and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department again filed no charges. In another incident, just last week, Schmidt’s husband called 911 yet again to report a domestic disturbance. This time, he claimed that his wife bit him on both forearms, scratched his face, and hit him with a cell phone. Once again, no charges were filed even though sheriff’s deputies did acknowledge that her husband had a large bite mark on his forearm and Schmidt, herself, had an injury under her eye. According to Schmidt, she sustained the injury when her husband knocked her down and struck her. Despite the obvious injuries, “it wasn’t a case that could be proven in court,” said Assistant State’s Attorney Steve Scheller, who also pointed out that the two must have engaged in “mutual combat.”
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The recordings were released last week following a FOIA request, and ultimately led to a call for Schmidt to resign from office. According to Robert Cook, the Lake County GOP Chairman, the party has not taken steps to investigate the issue. However, names of possible GOP replacements have been circulating and include Representatives JoAnn Osmond and Sandy Cole, the Warren Township Supervisor Suzanne Simpson, and the Zion Township Supervisor Cheri Ditzig. Nonetheless, not all of the proposed replacements are interested in the taking Schmidt’s seat. Osmond, for one, has made it known that she has no desire to replace Schmidt. Cook has also said that he is not asking the senator to surrender her seat. “She didn’t threaten the operator. She didn’t try to make any kind of deal or press the issue. We’re talking about a two-minute phone call over 15 years in politics, helping people, doing the right thing, and being there,” said Cook. Nonetheless, other Republicans are more concerned with the future and whether Schmidt can hold onto her seat in the next election. In 2010, she unseated Senator Michael Bond, D-Grayslake, and Republicans fear that the seat could return to the hands of a Democrat. Furthermore, Lake County Board member Melinda Willen Bush, a Democrat, has already announced plans to run in next year’s election. Schmidt attempted to do some damage control last week when she released a statement saying, “I never intended to inappropriately use my title. However, I apologize if any of my comments during this very emotional time seem inappropriate.” Still, the likelihood of receiving public forgiveness is unlikely. Brian Imus, the director of the Illinois Public Interest Research Group sums up the situation best when he points out that “there’s nothing Americans dislike more than politicians using their power for personal gain.”
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