Oakwood, Ill. (ECWd) –
Recently, during a contentious public meeting at the city of Oakwood, Illinois, there were two elderly ladies charged with “mob action” and one younger gentleman charged with “mob action” for allegedly shouting at board members during a meeting and after a meeting. The young man claims he did not do what he is charged with doing and was merely sitting next to the ladies who were doing the shouting, and the video proves it (according to one of the people charged).
The Oakwood police investigated, wrote police reports, watched the meeting video (without audio), and forwarded the information to the Vermilion County State’s Attorney. It was presented to a Grand Jury, which produced “true bills of indictment” against the three.
After the indictments, charges were filed, and arrest warrants were issued.
We requested copies of the police reports and video recording of the meeting, since they are public records, especially after charges are brought against the alleged offenders.
Oakwood denied our request for those records, saying it was an “ongoing investigation.” However, an alleged “friend” of the Oakwood police posted copies of at least one of those police reports on his Facebook page.
I asked Oakwood PD why they denied our request but permitted another person to obtain copies and post them online, but they did not respond.
This issue will be resolved, and we will obtain those records; the only question is how much taxpayer money the village is willing to spend fighting it, only to produce the records in the end.
