Head of CeaseFire Illinois charged with battery

Suburban police say the head of an anti-violence organization is facing a misdemeanor domestic battery charge.

Hillside Police Chief Joseph Lukaszek says Tio Hardiman was arrested Friday after his wife came to the police station and “presented injuries.”

Hardiman is the executive director of Ceasefire Illinois, a violence prevention group that interacts with Chicago gang members.

Lukaszek says Hardiman was arrested at home and will remain in custody until Saturday’s bond hearing in Maywood.

A spokesman said the organization was “troubled” with the charge and was “looking into appropriate actions.”

CeaseFire got $1 million from Chicago to help reduce crime in two neighborhoods. A health department spokesman said the city’s waiting to determine if the arrest will have any impact on the partnership.