Crime & Safety

Ravinia President Arrested for DUI

Ravinia chairman says Welz Kauffman will continue to lead the festival.

President was arrested for driving under the influence and improper lane usage last Thursday, according to the Highland Park Police Department.

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Police said he was arrested after they responded to a car accident near the intersection of Roger Williams Avenue and Sheridan Road. Kauffman was released on a personal recognizance bond with a court date of June 29.

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Kauffman will continue his role at Ravinia despite the arrest, according to a statement issued by the festival Monday evening.

"For more than a decade the Ravinia Festival has flourished on and off stage under the leadership of Welz Kauffman, and we believe it is in our best interests for him to continue to lead the Festival," said Ravinia Board of Trustees Chairman Robert D. Krebs in a statement. "Both Welz and we recognize that he has an illness, and the Ravinia Family will support him as he works to overcome it."

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Highland Park Patch is waiting for more information about the accident and will update this story when we get it.

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