Downtown Gay Bar Owner Settles With City on Lawsuit, Liquor Code Violations

JOLIET, IL — A downtown Joliet gay bar will stay open and its liquor license will not be suspended after a settlement was reached with the city, said an attorney for the tavern’s owner.

The owner of the East Jefferson Street bar Maneuvers, Fred Schramm, had battled the city over alleged liquor code violations and in civil court since 2013.

“All charges and allegations against Mr. Schramm and the company, which were contested, since the beginning of litigation, through this settlement, have been dismissed, and the claims that were filed have been resolved,” said attorney Anthony Tomkiewicz. “There will be no suspension of the liquor license or interruption of business.

Schramm, 70, was indicted on felony charges of criminal damage to government supported property and a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a police officer in connection with a July 2013 incident at his bar. Schramm pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor and the felonies were dismissed.

Maneuvers was also charged with liquor code violations.

Schramm turned around and sued the city and a police officer in July 2015. In his lawsuit, Schramm said his problems started when he tried to kick out a man and woman, Justin Masters and Vanessa Ford, “for continuing to harass and threaten customers,” and they responded by “screaming insults at (him) in protest” of their ejection.

“The entire time Justin Masters and Vanessa Ford were reluctantly and slowly exiting the business, Vanessa Ford was screaming profanities and insults towards” Schramm, the lawsuit said. “Vanessa Ford was particularly belligerent screaming ‘faggot’ and ‘senile’ towards” Schramm.

Schramm called the cops, the suit said, and when they got there he demanded they take Masters and Ford away.

“Vanessa Ford continued screaming her insults and profanities toward (Schramm), (he) in return told the police that he ‘wanted that bitch off my property,’” the suit said. “Upon hearing (Schramm) call Vanessa Ford ‘bitch,’ (Joliet Police Officer Phillip) Emph ordered (him) to ‘watch his mouth and quit swearing at Ford,’ to which (Schramm) replied ‘but she is a bitch.’ Emph and other officers immediately placed (Schramm) under arrest for disorderly conduct, placed (his) arms behind his back, shoved him several feet and slammed him into a police vehicle.”

As part of the confidential settlement with the city, the lawsuit was dismissed, Tomkiewicz said.

“We are satisfied with the result and Mr. Schramm feels vindicated,” the attorney said.

“While we had previous concerns of discrimination against a LGBT oriented and owned business at the onset of litigation, the new current city administration has demonstrated to us that there are no such issues, and we no longer have those concerns,” Tomkiewicz said. “The new current administration has handled all matters reasonably and efficiently. We believe that the city, under its new leadership, will be a positive partner for all downtown businesses going forward.”