Elgin minister convicted of shoving cop

A traffic stop in August 2008 for loud music has turned into the possibility of serious prison time for an Elgin minister who counseled gang members.

A Kane County jury Wednesday convicted Phillip S. Hodge of three counts of aggravated battery to a police officer.

Hodge, 48, was found guilty of shoving one officer and throwing another onto the hood of a squad car after police stopped his stepson in the 500 block of Edison Avenue for a loud music violation.

Hodge tried to take back the keys for the 2004 Buick Rendezvous that his son was driving, police said.

In Elgin, a loud music violation results in $250 fine and an automatic tow of the vehicle.

Rev. Nathaniel Edmond, pastor at the Second Baptist Church of Elgin where Hodge was an associate minister, said the church likely will remove Hodge from his position.

Edmond said he received a voice mail from Hodge Tuesday but had not had a chance to talk to him yet.

"It's inexcusable," Edmond said of Hodge's actions in August 2008. "If he is convicted and sentenced he will come out of any leadership role at the church. The church will take the appropriate action to protect the church and its integrity. No individual is more important that the will of God."

Because Hodge had previous felony convictions for aggravated robbery and burglary, he is eligible for an extended term of six to 30 years in prison when sentenced Sept. 10.

At the time of his arrest, Hodge told authorities he was a deacon at the church and that he spent time in prison but worked in conjunction with Elgin police to help counsel street gang members.