Mayor Matthew Wigginton Arrested for DUI in Peoria

Peoria Heights Mayor Matthew Wigginton was arrested for driving under the influence on April 17, 2026, after police found him slumped over the wheel of his Lexus SUV in a downtown Peoria parking garage at approximately 2:30 AM.

Peoria Police officers responded to the Hotel Pere Marquette parking deck where they discovered Wigginton in what they described as a severely intoxicated state. The mayor had attended the annual Peoria Gridiron Dinner, a political event held at the hotel earlier that evening.

Bodycam footage shows officers recognizing Wigginton, with one greeting him as "Mr. Mayor Wigginton." During the encounter, Wigginton attempted to hand officers his debit card instead of his driver's license and was unable to answer basic orientation questions posed by medical personnel.

The arrest sparked discussion among officers about whether Wigginton's position should influence their decision to arrest. One officer expressed concern that the situation "could blow up," while another responded that they "shouldn't care about his title."

Wigginton was transported to Carle Methodist Hospital before being booked into custody. He refused chemical testing during the arrest process.

The mayor faces misdemeanor DUI charges and a 12-month statutory summary suspension of his driver's license. His attorney, Kevin Sullivan, has stated that Wigginton was not driving and plans to challenge the charges.

Wigginton's next court appearance is scheduled for June 19, 2026, in Peoria County Court.