Grayslake board faces motorcycle show fallout
Complaints about discrimination against a class of individuals and a lawsuit threat were part of the fallout at Grayslake village hall Tuesday night as a result of Mayor Timothy Perry's decision to cancel a motorcycle show.
About 30 motorcyclists and supporters attended the village board meeting, with some speaking to the elected officials. About a dozen choppers were parked across from village hall.
Some of the speakers were skeptical of the given reason for the cancellation of the Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show, which was scheduled for Sunday at the Lake County Fairgrounds.
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Officials said information provided to Grayslake via the Illinois State Police's Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center indicated members of the Outlaws motorcycle club, identified as an international criminal organization, planned to attend the show.
Dan Harper, legislative coordinator from the ABATE of Illinois organization, filed a Freedom of Information request with Perry demanding documents with details about the cited threat. ABATE of Illinois, standing for A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education, represents motorcyclists' interests.
"You discriminated against a whole class of people," Harper told the Grayslake village board, echoing similar comments. "Yes, it was discrimination."
Dave White of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., said he belongs to a motorcycle club that volunteers for food drives. He said it'll take a while to overcome the damage Grayslake has done to legitimate local biker clubs.
"It's really caused a lot of consternation among those clubs that do charity work, year after year after year," White said.
Up to 40,000 visitors were projected for the Ironhorse show. Seven bands, motorcycle blessings, food and drinks were to be part of the event sponsored by Austin's Saloon Eatery in Libertyville.
Austin's owner Mark Khayat estimated the village's sudden cancellation cost his business more than $100,000.
Lawyer Pete Naylor said he talked to Khayat for about an hour Tuesday and that he likely will seek a class-action lawsuit against Grayslake on behalf of various businesses that were harmed by the cancellation.
Naylor said his Hupy and Abraham firm represents motorcyclists and successfully defended a club that was booted from Milwaukee's Summerfest five years ago for insignias the members were wearing.
At the conclusion of the public comment time, Perry reiterated how his decision to scrub the bike event was based on credible information from multiple sources that violent activity was planned for Sunday. He said he made the final call and that it was based on a recommendation from Police Chief Larry Herzog.
Perry said he understood the frustration of those who spoke at Tuesday's meeting.
"All of the comments made here tonight were right on point," Perry said. "I sympathize and empathize with you."