Aurora Man Threatened To Kill Pritzker In Voicemail: State's Attorney

AURORA, IL — After leaving a voicemail threatening to kill Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, an Aurora man was charged and brought into custody but later released after posting bail, officials said.

Steven Woletz, of the 100 block of Jason Court, called the Governor’s Office of Constituent Affairs April 15 and left a voicemail threatening both Pritzker and his mother, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Officials allege the 46-year-old man spewed threats and profanities on the voicemail, saying, "F--- you and your f---ing mother" and "I’m going to f---ing kill you, you f---ing silly f---ing a--hole."

The state's attorney's office announced the charge against Woletz Wednesday evening. He posted the necessary 10 percent of a $100,000 bond to be released from custody after Illinois State Police arrested him without incident Tuesday afternoon following an investigation.

"The Illinois State Police take threats against all public officials and the safety of the democratic process very seriously," ISP Director Brendan Kelly said in a statement. "Being in public service does not give permission to anyone to threaten the lives of public officials or their family."

The Aurora man is scheduled to appear in court May 22 for arraignment, documents show.

"For government to function properly, public officials must be allowed to perform their jobs without having to worry about retribution or fear for their personal safety," DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. "My office stands ready to prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, anyone who threatens a public official, their staff or their family."