By Howard Packowitz
PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – The attorney for Peoria Heights Mayor Matt Wigginton said he plans on fighting a DUI charge against the mayor who police reportedly found sleeping in his sport utility vehicle early Friday in Downtown Peoria.
Defense attorney Kevin Sullivan tells 25 News the first-term mayor is being punished for doing the right thing.
He said Wigginton wasn’t feeling well after attending the Peoria Gridiron Dinner at the Marriott Pere Marquette, and decided to take a nap in his vehicle that was parked in a private lot nearby.
Sullivan said he too attended the dinner. He said it lasted for several hours, and it was uncomfortably warm in the hotel.
“I was exhausted,” Sullivan said.
Wigginton probably had some drinks, but there’s no evidence of “excessive consumption,” the attorney said.
Sullivan noted Wigginton didn’t drive and didn’t endanger anybody.
“It’s so unfortunate that police didn’t use better discretion,” Sullivan said, who added that his client has no prior alcohol-related offenses.
Wigginton, who’s 42, was elected mayor in 2025. He’s been released from the Peoria County Jail, and his first court appearance is scheduled for Friday, April 24.
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