Former Round Lake Park mayor candidate arrested

Unsuccessful Round Lake Park mayoral candidate Bill Baczek was arrested Thursday night for improperly possessing four shotguns, according to police reports.

Baczek, 45, of the 400 block of East Lake Shore Drive, was charged with possessing the weapons without a valid Illinois firearm owner's identification card. He's free on a $1,000 recognizance bond.

"It's totally my fault," Baczek said Friday. "I should have renewed the card."

Official police reports say cops were summoned to Baczek's house at 8:40 p.m. Thursday because he was accused of violating an order of protection issued on behalf of his wife.

Reports state while Baczek was present at the home, he was not in violation of the protection order because he had yet to receive formal notification.

However, a routine search by the officers turned up the four shotguns in Baczek's house, according to reports. Police said Baczek was arrested after he did not have the valid state card for the guns.

Authorities seized Baczek's four shotguns, which he said he had planned to use for pheasant hunting in Wisconsin over the weekend.

Baczek, a lifelong Round Lake Park resident whose company operates AJ's Horsin Around tavern in the village, lost to Mayor Jean McCue in the April election. Baczek led the RLP for Change political slate.

During his campaign, Baczek contended a neighborhood watch program was needed to keep residents' minds at ease while taking some of the burden off the police department. He said the police do a good job with minimal resources.

Baczek has a Lake County circuit court appearance slated for Nov. 17.