April 18, 2010 7:38 PM

Illinois State Senate President John Cullerton’s office said he was “disappointed” Sunday night after his son was cited with driving under the influence in a Senate SUV provided to Cullerton.

Garritt M. Cullerton, 26, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.188 when he was pulled over in the 800 block of North Dearborn Street shortly after midnight Sunday, according to Chicago police. The level is more than twice the legal limit of 0.08.

“A Senate vehicle assigned to the Senate President for official legislative business was used by his son without his authorization,” said a statement issued this evening by John Cullerton’s office.

“The Senate President is disappointed that this incident occurred and takes this matter very seriously. He will work to ensure that this does not occur in the future.”

Garritt Cullerton was cited with DUI, negligent driving and improper lane usage, police said.

He was driving a 2009 Ford Escape registered to the state Senate, according to records and police. Garritt Cullerton did not have any immediate comment. 

John Cullerton sponsored a 2008 law requiring motorists convicted of drunk driving to blow into a device to prove their sobriety. Offenders have to do it every time they get behind the wheel in order to start the car. The measure, one of the strictest in the nation, was aimed at first-time offenders convicted of driving under the influence.

Garritt Cullerton worked as an analyst for the state House, according to state records. His LinkedIn page says he went to work for the state in 2007 after graduating from DePaul University and stayed there through November 2009.

The senate president’s office did not answer several questions, such as when he first learned of the incident. Garritt Cullerton still lives at home with his parents, according to records.