From the State’s Attorney:
MCHENRY COUNTY REPEAT DUI OFFENDER KATHIE ZAREMBA RECEIVES SEVEN-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announces that on March 17, 2026, Kathie L. Zaremba, 62, of Marengo, Illinois, was sentenced to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence.
Zaremba was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Mark Gerhardt after entering a plea of guilty.
On March 15, 2024, at approximately 4:20 p.m., Marengo Police Sergeant Boeckh responded to a driving complaint in the 900 block of Franks Road.
A caller reported a gray Jeep stopped in the roadway, with a driver who appeared to be intoxicated.
Upon locating the vehicle, Sergeant Boeckh observed the Jeep cross over the center line.
He initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, identified as Kathie L. Zaremba.
During the encounter, Sergeant Boeckh detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the vehicle.
A subsequent DUI investigation revealed clear signs of impairment, and Zaremba was taken into custody for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
Further investigation into her criminal history showed at least three prior DUI convictions, resulting in her being charged with Aggravated Driving Under the Influence.
Zaremba later pleaded guilty to one count of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
Due to her prior convictions, the offense is classified as a Class 2 felony, carrying a potential sentence of three to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
The case proceeded to a sentencing hearing before the Honorable Judge Mark Gerhardt. During the hearing, prosecutors argued that Zaremba posed a significant danger to the community, citing a criminal history dating back to 1994, beginning with her first DUI arrest.
Prosecutors also highlighted her repeated disregard for court orders and bond conditions.
Notably, just three days after being charged in this case, Zaremba was involved in a head-on collision on Huntley Road in Crystal Lake at approximately 10:00 p.m.
Zaremba was airlifted to a local hospital, while the occupants of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries.
An investigation by the Crystal Lake Police Department determined that Zaremba’s blood alcohol concentration at the time of the collision was 0.10.
Following the presentation of evidence and arguments, Judge Gerhardt sentenced Zaremba to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
“Driving under the influence is a serious and preventable threat to public safety.
“Ms. Zaremba’s repeated decisions to drive while impaired placed countless members of our community at risk.
” Our office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting individuals who continue to disregard the law and endanger others, and we will continue to seek significant consequences for those who repeatedly engage in this dangerous behavior,” said State’s Attorney Freese.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Desiree Sierens
