Dupage Policy Journal

Diane Hewitt, the former Lisle Township Supervisor whose tenure included a vote of no confidence from her own board, and a 2023 DUI arrest, has been hired as an Administrative Assistant in the DuPage County Coroner’s Office. 

Hewitt, who joins the office under newly elected Coroner Judith Lukas, a fellow Democrat, is the highest-paid new employee hired since Lukas took office with an annual salary of $74,000—significantly more than newly hired deputy coroners, according to county records. 

DuPage County GOP Chair Kevin Coyne says the move fits a broader pattern of Democrats rewarding political allies, particularly in the wake of the 2024 coroner’s race that shifted control of the office from Republican to Democrat.

“It's certainly a poor look for our Coroner to add a controversial Democratic Party activist who is fresh off of serious criminal charges to the County payroll,” Coyne told the DuPage Policy Journal. “It would be nice if our County leaders could go a few days without bringing drama and controversy to our County government. DuPage ran exceedingly better under Republican leadership. We need to return to it.” 

Hewitt’s political history as Lisle Township supervisor includes the Board of Trustees passing a unanimous vote of no confidence against her, citing financial mismanagement, unauthorized spending and a hostile work environment. 

She faced accusations of overpayments to herself and her significant other, verbal attacks on staff, and failure to communicate effectively with other township officials.

Hewitt denied the allegations and claimed her critics were obstructing efforts to improve township operations, pointing to initiatives such as cost-saving mosquito control programs and administrative reforms.

On Nov. 1, 2023, Hewitt was arrested and charged with misdemeanor DUI after police reported erratic driving in Warrenville. Hewitt denied impairment, claiming she had only one glass of wine and refused a breath test; however, according to reports, a bottle of wine was found in her purse. 

Despite stepping away from township politics in 2025, Hewitt’s ascent to a top-paid county position has raised eyebrows about the potential for political patronage within the local Democratic Party, Coyne said. 

Records show employees hired at the Coroner’s Office in the past six months earn considerably less than Hewitt. 

Deputy coroners Patricia Adams, Samantha Calabrese, and Diana Tochimani make between $48,000 and $53,500, while administrative specialists George Tserotas and Shamim Vohra earn $59,737 and $54,999, respectively.