Champaign County Board Member Arrested for DUI

A Champaign County Board member has been arrested for DUI. Michael Richards is due back in court next month following a January 27 arrest. State's Attorney Julia Reitz's office said the 31-year-old Richards was spotted by a sheriff's deputy driving north in the southbound lanes of US 45 in Savoy around 3-30 that morning. He admitted to having four mixed drinks prior to driving and refused to take a blood alcohol test, which results in a one-year suspension of driving privileges.

Richards faces a misdemeanor DUI charge and was ticketed for improper lane usage.

The District 6 Democrat was appointed to the Champaign County Board in 2007.