Metro East Sun

Alorton Mayor JoAnn Reed was arrested on March 1 for driving under the influence and illegal stopping at an intersection, according to Illinois Leaks and she posted bond and was released the same night.

This is not Reed's first run-in with the judicial system in St. Clair County, Illinois Leaks reported. In 2019 she appeared in court for charges related to vote buying, disregarding election code, official misconduct and possession and use of police equipment. In late 2018, she was spotted impersonating a police officer, using her city vehicle, equipped with police lights, to clear the path for her personal travel. 

Last year, she was also spotted using a police vehicle to distribute sample ballots to constituents with her preferred candidates marked. 

According to Illinois Leaks, the trouble started in 2014 when she allegedly smuggled contraband into the county jail for her niece. She was removed from her position as mayor by the court. Since Illinois has a first-time offender program, she was allowed to run for office again and was re-elected. 

In 2016 she was indicted and arrested for felony vote buying and misdemeanor disregard of the election code. In 2017 she was again arrested for felony official misconduct/performing a forbidden act.

Reed's list of law enforcement encounters can be found here.