Federal suit alleges harassment, inappropriate practices in St. Charles Police Department

When longtime St. Charles Police Chief James Keegan resigned in March, after the previous four months on personal leave, city officials heaped praise on his nearly 11-year tenure but wouldn’t explain the reasons behind his departure.

However, a lawsuit filed last Friday in U.S. District Court alleges he ran a department where discrimination, sexual harassment and questionable practices took place in the months leading up to his exit.

In the suit, plaintiff and former police records division manager Lisa Lullo says she was sexually harassed by Keegan, discriminated against because she’s a woman and retaliated against for blowing the whistle on department activities she believed inappropriate.

Those included reporting arrest warrants as actual arrests to inflate stats; a records staff member changing police reports with a supervisor’s approval; and the department denying Freedom of Information requests under false pretenses, the suit claims.

Lullo alleges the treatment she received ultimately led her to quit — or as the suit states, her “constructive discharge” — in September 2024, about 18 months after she joined the department.

“The work environment at the City Police Department was so pervaded by discrimination and harassment that the terms and conditions of Ms. Lullo’s employment were altered such that a hostile work environment resulted,” the suit alleges.

St. Charles response

St. Charles Mayor Clint Hull said he could not comment on the suit, because he has not seen it and because Keegan’s leave and departure took place before he was elected mayor in April.

A city spokesman said Lullo’s complaints were investigated, but would not say what the inquiry determined. We filed a Freedom of Information request for the investigation reports; the city has until next week to respond.

Keegan could not be reached for comment. According to an agenda for a June police pension board meeting, it appears Keegan may have applied for a disability pension.

Lullo’s suit names only the city as defendant, and seeks compensation for back and front pay, and up to $20,000 in other damages.

Spooky new scam

Buying items with the tap of your credit card or phone may be convenient, but shoppers should be wary of the new “ghost tapping” scam that targets those purchases.

The scheme involves scammers equipped with handheld wireless payment devices, similar to those used in restaurants and other businesses. From just a few feet away, the devices can pick up the near-field communication (NFC) radio waves that contain credit card or payment information.

“Ghost tapping is especially dangerous when the target’s debit card is involved,” said Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois. “The crooks can quickly drain a person’s bank account or make credit card charges.”

Things to look out for include a stranger getting unusually close or bumping into you while you’re making a payment. Also watch for unexpected alerts from your bank or card issuer about small “test” charges and suspicious activity on your account after being in crowded spaces, festivals or transit areas.

Zoom court survey

Ever participated in a court hearing over Zoom? If so, the Illinois Supreme Court wants to know how the experience could have been better.

The court’s Remote Appearance Committee is seeking suggestions through a link on its website, www.illinoiscourts.gov.

“The Illinois Supreme Court is committed to remote court proceedings as a way to increase access to justice statewide,” Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis said in the court's monthly newsletter. “We encourage court users to share suggestions on how to improve this experience.”

Susan has one suggestion already: Have judges wear body mics, because some can’t be heard well when they turn their head away from their stationary microphones.

Meet the new boss

Speaking of the high court, there’ll soon be a new chief in town.

Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. was chosen this week to be the 123rd chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. The Chicago resident and former civil rights attorney will succeed Theis for a three-year term beginning Oct. 26.

In the announcement of his appointment, Neville said that public trust in the courts “requires justice that is accessible, procedures that are understandable, and support services that meet the needs of litigants.

“I will also work to make the Illinois courts a national model, safeguarding the constitutional promise of equal justice without regard to who a person is, where they live, or what resources they have so all litigants are seen and heard,” he added.

Make way

You know how police, fire and ambulance vehicles can change traffic signals, to give them the right of way?

Add emergency-management vehicles to the list.

Kane County’s Office of Emergency Management got state legislators to amend the Illinois Vehicle Code, allowing it and similar agencies to operate traffic control signal pre-emption devices while en route to emergencies.

The agency’s director, Scott Buziecki, said it will improve safety for emergency response workers and the public.

The agency was called out 395 times in 2024 to assist at what it calls “unplanned incidents.” Many times, it is supporting police at traffic crashes or other scenes by bringing lighting equipment and controlling traffic. It also aids in search-and-rescue efforts and disaster response.

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