Suit accuses Prospect Hts. alderman of filing false DCFS report

A Prospect Heights woman is suing her alderman, Richard Hamen of the city's Ward 1, claiming he made an unjustified complaint against her to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

In a federal lawsuit filed last week, Lisa Boris alleges Hamen falsely accused her of constantly being drunk or high, and of failing to care for or supervise her teenage daughter.

Hamen made the report on March 2, 2010, according to the suit, which states DCFS found no basis for the complaint. The suit, which also names the city of Prospect Heights as a defendant, does not say why Boris believes Hamen was behind the allegations.

Hamen and Mayor Dolores “Dolly” Vole said they had not been served notice of the lawsuit and could not comment.

The suit seeks unspecified damages on claims Hamen defamed Boris and violated her civil right to privacy.

A phone call to Boris' attorney was not returned Thursday.

Boris and Hamen have a history of conflict dating back years. The suit claims the complaint to DCFS came in retaliation for the plaintiff's public criticism of Hamen. Minutes from a March 3, 2008 city council meeting state Boris criticized Hamen based on her personal experiences with him “which appeared unrelated to his duties as an alderman.”

Hamen is seeking re-election on April 5 against Luis Mendez, who was the sitting alderman that Hamen narrowly defeated four years ago.