State Sen. Hastings Resigns From Leadership Role

FRANKFORT, IL — Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings has resigned from his role as whip for the Democratic Majority caucus following the revelation of a leaked police report filed by his estranged wife, Kathleen, that accuses the state senator of domestic violence against her.

In a letter sent Friday to Democratic Senate President Don Harmon, Hastings wrote: "Per your request, due to the unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances pertaining to my family, I will have to temporarily step down," according to multiple media reports.

"Like half of America today, my family and I are experiencing what happens to every family who goes through the divorce process," Hastings said Thursday through an emailed statement to Patch. "Unfortunately, my divorce is in the public eye. In order to properly manage the local needs of the senate district while separating from my estranged wife, it was in the Senate's best interest that I step down from my leadership position. Regardless of my family situation, I will continue to serve our communities in the south suburbs and work to represent my constituents to the best of my ability."

Hastings is suing the Village of Frankfort to find out if someone in the Frankfort Police Department or Laraway Communications Center leaked a police report from a June 2021 domestic incident involving Hastings and his wife at their home in Frankfort, as previously reported by Patch.

• Related: State Sen. Michael Hastings Sues Frankfort Over Police Report Leak

The couple is currently in the process of divorcing.

According to the petition for discovery Hastings filed, a Frankfort police officer responded June 20, 2021, to the Hastings' home for a report of a verbal argument. Hastings alleges that the police report contains "defamatory statements" and "false claims" of domestic violence made by his estranged wife, including an allegation she was battered by her husband approximately months prior to the June police report.

Hastings said that he is a potential plaintiff in a separate complaint alleging defamation and invasion of privacy, according to court documents.

The Village of Frankfort said it is aware of the lawsuit by Hastings.

"The Village takes such allegations seriously and affirms that it responds to requests and release of information in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act," Village Administrator Rob Piscia said. "The Village will not be providing any further comment on this litigation at this time."

Hastings claimed the police report was "intentionally leaked to the news media in a sinister attempt to influence the elections, hurt me politically by tarnishing my reputation, and turning the divorce around to blame the divorce on me by using these false domestic violence accusations," according to an emailed statement to Patch Aug. 9.

Hastings ran unopposed in June's Democratic primary. He will face off against Republican Patrick Sheehan in the November General Election for the Illinois State Senate District 19 seat. Hastings was first elected to the seat in 2012.

The 19th State Senate District includes portions of Frankfort, Mokena, New Lenox, Tinley Park, Flossmoor, Oak Forest, Orland Park and Homer Glen.