Christian Co., Ill. (ECWd) –
While we field numerous complaints about some alleged financial issues in the City of Assumption, Illinois, an alderman and city fire fighter and his wife, the city treasurer, get arrested and charged just after 2 am May 4th, 2025.
Herbert Palmer was arrested for DUI after police were called to a local bar at 2:13 am for an alleged battery of a patron. Turns out, Palmer’s wife, Angela Palmer, the city treasurer, who, according to the police report, hit a person sitting at the bar for no reason. The police report indicates she advised the police “she approached Kayla and struck her in the face”.
“All three witnesses advised they were sitting at the bar when Angela approached Kayla and struck her in the face for no reason.”
“The surveillance footage showed Kayla standing at the end of the bar. Angela walked out of the restroom area and looked over towards Kayla. Angela then approached Kayla and struck her in the face.”
“I placed Angela in handcuffs properly fit and double locked. At that point, Angela advised that she approached Kayla and struck her in the face.”
According to the City Code 3-2-15, the bar should have been closed at 1 am. The report indicates there was a fight in the bar with a call to the police at 2:13 am. We did not see anything in the police report indicating the establishment received any code violations for being open past legal hours.
The report indicates Herbert was leaving the bar with his wife, in what appears to be a departure after the fight broke out. The report indicates the deputy did a traffic stop, however, there appear to be some red flags in that regard.
Witnessing a vehicle leave a parking light does not rise to the level of running a person’s registration, in our opinion. We understand there may be more information to justify the stop, such as witnesses telling dispatch the alleged perpetrator of the battery is leaving in a Red Ford F150, however, none of that is found in the report.
After learning the registration of the vehicle, a traffic stop was made, but it does not indicate what motor vehicle code was violated justifying running the registration in the first place. According to the docket entries on judici.com for Herbert, he was also charged with failure to use a turn signal. Was that the reason for the traffic stop? Wouldn’t checking the registration happen after the stop? Why is the reason for the stop not found in the police report?
Alderman Herbert Palmer is also on the City Fire Department. While we have been told he is the current Fire Chief, we have been unable to confirm that at this point, but have confirmed he was the Fire Chief on December 2, 2024, according to this news story. If he is still the Fire Chief, there is a huge conflict with him being a city alderman. We will update this point and others when we get more information.
A copy of the booking information and police report can be downloaded at this link or viewed below.
mug shot and police report
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