Lake County Health and Human Services director Dennis Henkel pleaded guilty to a DUI charge Wednesday in Cook County Court. The other charges -- speeding and having an open bottle of intoxicating liquor in his car -- were dropped.
Henkel was arrested July 13 near Schroeder on Highway 61 on his way from his home in Duluth to attend a meeting of county directors from the region.
Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell said Henkel "received the standard first-time offender sentence" of fines and two years of probation.
Conditions of the probation include a chemical dependency evaluation and following its recommendations and attending a Mothers Against Drunk Driving victim panel. The fine is $500.
Depending on when the conviction is entered, Henkel's license to drive will be automatically revoked for 90 days. That restriction could be dropped to 30 days.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Lake County Board of Commissioners, which affirmed a paid leave of absence for Henkel this week, could bring more disciplinary actions at its next meeting Tuesday.
