State Senator to 911: Husband "Afraid of Me Because He Knows I Have Connections"
By Chuck Sudo in News on Sep 29, 2011 2:50PM
State Sen. Suzi Schmidt
911 calls released yesterday reveal Sen. Suzi Schmidt (R- Lake Villa) called 911 last Christmas and asked the operators to 'ignore" any calls from her husband, Robert. The operator said they must answer all calls, but Schmidt said they merely had an argument and that her husband may not even call 911 "because he knows I have connections." Suzi Schmidt's call was interrupted by a call from her husband, who said he was locked out of the house during an argument where Suzi Schmidt was throwing glasses at him, and that he was "freezing."
A 911 call from Aug. 26 recorded Robert Schmidt reporting his wife rammed his car with hers. He indicated he wasn't injured but was "shaken." The most recent 911 call from Monday recorded Robert Schmidt saying his wife scratched and attacked him, with Suzi Schmidt yelling in the background, "No, I Didn't" and "that's not true."
Suzi Schmidt declined to comment to the Tribune about the calls yesterday, except to say the reports contained factual errors. She did release a statement to media that read:
“On the 911 call, I identified myself — but I never intended to inappropriately use my title. However, I apologize if any of my comments during this very emotional time seem inappropriate. I am taking the appropriate steps to deal with these issues.”
Patti Schuh, spokeswoman for State Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno, said her boss found the 911 calls "very troubling" but there are no calls at this time to reprimand Schmidt or call for her resignation.