Kane County Reporter

Freshman State Rep. Matt Hanson (D-Montgomery) was arrested and charged with DUI last month after being found asleep in his vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.186%.

In a statement, Hanson accepted full responsibility, and committed to an alcohol evaluation, treatment or education.

"I am deeply disappointed by my own conduct, and I accept full responsibility for my actions,” Hanson told WSPY.

State Rep. Matt Hanson (D-Montgomery) | Facebook / Matt Hanson

“I’m committed to ensuring this is the only time I ever exercise such poor judgment. I plan to undergo an alcohol evaluation, complete any treatment or education that evaluation recommends, and accept all terms the court deems fit. My focus is on the work I need to do for myself and for the people who have entrusted me to represent them.”

Hanson’s blood alcohol content was more than double the legal limit.

The incident occurred in the parking lot of his residence at Holly Ridge Apartments in Montgomery.

The Kane County State’s Attorney recused herself from the case, and local prosecutor Peter Buh will handle the prosecution, with the case scheduled for November 22.

The citation was initially issued on Oct. 31.

A plea-setting hearing is scheduled for Nov. 22, at 9 a.m., presided over by Kane County Circuit Court Judge Rene Cruz.

Hanson defeated incumbent Republican Keith Wheeler in the 83rd House District in 2022 by securing a victory with 54% of the vote in Kane County and 51.6% of the vote in Kendall County.

Hanson, a BNSF Railway engineer, was a Kane County Board member before losing re-election to the county board in 2020.

In his run for the state House he noted his stances in favor of abortion, the Equal Rights Amendment and the Equal Pay Act.

The 83rd House District includes parts of St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, North Aurora, Aurora, Montgomery and Oswego.