Joliet Cops Deny Release of Larry Hug Fight Report, Video

by Erin Gallagher

Patch's request for the police report documenting the altercation between Joliet Councilman Larry Hug and another man March 31 on property owned by Double J Sports Bar was denied by police.

Patch requested the report and the bar's surveillance video under the Freedom of Information Act after Hug said "I had to to call the police and file charges," but declined to say what the charges were.

In a statement issued by the City of Joliet, the request was denied for six reasons. It says releasing the reports would interfere with an ongoing investigation, and release private information about the people involved.

"That's standard protocol to deny a report during an investigation," said Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton.

Benton confirmed that a police report was written and that it will be made available to the public after the investigation is complete.

Hug was elected to the Joliet City Council in April 2011 from District 1. He is among the members who vote on police contracts and other matters.

Patch has appealed the denial with Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Although it is not uncommon for police agencies to flatly deny access to police reports and case documents while still active, rulings from Madigan's office and courts have not supported the practice.

The most notorious instance was when a Cook County judge forced the release of the video depicting a police-involved shooting of Laquan McDonald, despite then State's Attorney Anita Alvarez' claim the case was ongoing.

In 2011, Madigan ruled in favor of Shorewood Patch's request for police records concerning a 1987 homicide of Chicago resident David Wolfson, whose skull was found along the northwest Interstate 55 Frontage Road. After the ruling, the village's attorney David Silverman provided Patch with the complete report, with some information redacted, as well as a stack of relating document.

In the matter involving Hug, the owner of the Double J Sports Bar said the police have the bar's surveillance tape from the night of the incident. Benton said police are in the process of interviewing potential witnesses.