Elgin man accused of threatening Gov. Rauner

An Elgin man is facing a felony charge that he threatened to kill Gov. Bruce Rauner over the weekend.

Jesse M. Kuzma, 31, of the 1100 block of West Highland Avenue, appeared in Kane County bond court Wednesday on a charge of threatening a public official, a felony that carries a punishment ranging from probation to up to five years in prison.

Kuzma is accused of leaving a voice message at 11 p.m. Friday at Rauner's office, Kane County Assistant State's Attorney Scott Schwertley said.

"He did not speak to the governor. It was his office," said Schwertley, adding Kuzma stated on part of the voice mail: "If I ever see you, consider this your death threat."

Schwertley said no details of carrying out the threat were made, but under state statute a person can be charged if he or she makes a statement regarding a public official's safety.

"Any threats like this, the police take seriously and will investigate and we will charged them if the law applies," Schwertley said. "(The charge) is because there's a specific threat of bodily injury to a public official."

Judge Judith Brawka set Kuzma's bail at $50,000, meaning he must post $5,000 to be released from the Kane County jail while the case is pending. If Kuzma is released, he is to have no contact with Rauner, be placed on electronic home monitoring and surrender any gun owner cards and weapons.

Schwertley could not specify what, if any, ties Kuzma had or has to Rauner or his office. Kuzma is a reservist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has a job in Elgin as a machine repairman and was arrested by Illinois State Police Tuesday, according to court records and testimony.

Kuzma doesn't have any previous criminal arrests in Kane County, but was arrested in May 2002 by Wheaton Police and charged with the misdemeanor of carrying "objects containing noxious liquid or gas," records show.

According to court records, police found handcuffs and pepper spray in Kuzma's vehicle, "which the defendant said his mother wanted him to have for protection, but which he said he mainly used to spray pigeons who tried to steal his french fries."

The Wheaton officer searched Kuzma's car because it "had items on it that made it look like a police car." After a bench trial in November 2002, Kuzma was convicted of unlawful use of a weapon and fined $50, records show.

Assistant Public Defender Seth McClure did not say whether Kuzma was expected to post bond Wednesday. He also argued to Brawka that Kuzma's conviction from 14 years ago did not necessarily make him a danger to society.

Kuzma is next due in court on May 28.

Staff writer Justin Kmitch contributed to this report.