Lincolnwood Man Accused Of Attacking Fire Department Paramedics

LINCOLNWOOD, IL — A man accused of attacking members of the Lincolnwood Fire Department while inside an ambulance was ordered to remain jailed for at least a week unless he can come up with $90,000 in cash.

Anthony Campisano, 43, of Lincolnwood, was arrested Tuesday and charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a firefighter-paramedic, both felonies, and one count of aggravated assault, a misdemeanor, authorities said.

Campisano swung a closed fist and spat in his face of one paramedic and kicked another repeatedly in the leg, according to the charges.

Police initially encountered Campisano laying on a front yard in the 6800 block of Tripp Avenue shortly after 5 p.m., Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Collin DeBrabander said at his initial court appearance Wednesday in Skokie.

"Officers requested the Lincolnwood Fire Department on scene because [Campisano] appeared to be intoxicated," DeBrabander said. "After the Lincolnwood Fire Department arrived, the Lincolnwood Police Department departed from the area for the period, as the fire department had the situation handled."

Campisano, who was sitting in a cot in an ambulance, became irate after police left and began shouting and using profanity, according to the prosecutor. Before he was restrained by multiple members of the fire department, he managed to kick a paramedic in the shin several times, causing her pain. Police returned to the scene and took Campisano into custody.

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According to the state's attorney's office and court staff, Campisano has approximately nine felony and 10 misdemeanor convictions, which in recent years includes multiple convictions for battery, violation of and order of protection and resisting arrest.

Cook County Associate Judge Frank Andreou said he recognized having encountered Campisano from a previous case involving an order or protection.

"I do believe that the defendant does pose a threat, not only to the firefighters named, but he also poses a threat to the community at large and to his wife. Clearly he has not stopped drinking, which is a problem, and I remember I set a bond for him," Andreou said, "on the last case that was apparently dismissed, and one of the conditions of that bond was that he not drink and that he go to treatment — and obviously he's not doing that."