Bartlett man faces felony, misdemeanor charges

A 52-year-old Bartlett man faces felony battery charges for an altercation before a South Elgin football game Saturday.

South Elgin Police Sgt. Mike Doty said James J. Slobodnik argued with and shoved his son’s high school football coach because Slobodnik was angry his son was not allowed to play because of a disciplinary issue.

Slobodnik, of the 1200 block of Churchill Road, is charged with felony aggravated battery to a school employee and misdemeanor battery.

Doty said the altercation occurred at about 4 p.m. Saturday before South Elgin High School was to play a home football game against Neuqua Valley High School.

Doty said Slobodnik approached an assistant coach because his son was suspended from the team.

Doty declined to comment on what the disciplinary issue was.

Doty said the assistant coach referred Slobodnik to the head coach.

“At some point, some yelling began. Mr. Slobodnik allegedly shoved the head football coach,” Doty said. “(Slobodnik’s) son was on the football team but had been suspended from the football team is what I’ve been told.”

Doty said Slobodnik was escorted off the high school property and arrested later that night after the victim decided to press charges.

The answering machine at Slobodnik’s home did not accept a message Monday afternoon.

Slobodnik free on bond and is due in court Sept. 28. He faces anywhere from probation to three years in prison on the felony charge.

He does not have any prior arrests or convictions in Kane County, according to court records.