Police Launch Probe Into Civil War Days 'Threats'

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The Lake County Sheriff's Office has launched an investigation into allegations of threats made that lead to the cancellation of this year's Civil War Days. Officials with the Lake County Forest Preserve District made the decision to call off the two-day event due to safety concerns for its visitors, vendors and reenactors. Officials said the move came after some concerning responses following a June forest preserve district board meeting during which Lake County Forest Preserves District President Angelo Kyle questioned the necessity and appropriateness of the event, according to a Lake County News-Sun article.

He says he’s been to the event in the past and thinks the district’s resources and focus should be on environmental issues and climate change instead of an event that features Civil War images, including a Confederate flag.

“During the past week, there have been many responses to information stemming from a June 11 Forest Preserves board meeting where Civil War Days was discussed. Some of these responses were very concerning,” said John Tannahill, Director of Public Safety for the Lake County Forest Preserves, in a statement earlier this week. Forest preserves officials did not elaborate on those concerning statements.

Forest Preserves officials made their decision to cancel the event on June 21. Prior to that decision, the Lake County Sheriff's Office let forest preserve officials know that an "official request" would be needed to conduct an evaluation of the threats and/or safety concerns so authorities could provide a recommendation on what steps they thought should be taken from a safety standpoint.

Authorities did not receive any official response or supporting documents but did receive a call from Lake County Commissioner Dick Barr on Tuesday, asking that the sheriff's office conduct "a criminal investigation into the threats, to determine if the threats were criminal in nature, and if so, work to hold those accountable who made such threats," according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

The sheriff's office has since reached out to forest preserve district officials to request all documentation and information surrounding any threats made concerning Civil War Days. Sheriff's Office administrators also requested forest preserves administration and public safety officials set up a meeting with the sheriff's office criminal investigations division.

"The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing assistance and resources to the Lake County Forest Preserve and any other organizations, when requested," the statement from the sheriff's office read.

In a statement earlier in the week, Tannahill said forest preserves officials consulted with local and state law enforcement before making its decision to cancel the event, which was set to be held on July 13 and 14.

"We consulted with local and state law enforcement agencies that specialize in events like this about the responses. Based on their advice, and in an effort to keep everyone safe, canceling is the best decision," Tannahill said.

Meant to be an educational event, Civil War Days has taken place at Lakewood Forest Preserves in Wauconda for the past 27 years.

"The tension around the event this year has changed the tone. We are not going to take a risk. It's our job to protect preserves visitors, and our employees and volunteers," Tannahill said in a statement Monday.

The Forest Preserves provided the following description of this year's event: "The boom of cannons, the crack of rifles, the galloping of horse hooves welcomes you at the annual Civil War Days encampment. Wander the camps to see soldiers, civilians and tradesmen at work. Watch as union and confederate forces collide in battle. A large-scale battle can be viewed on both Saturday and Sunday.

The event also featured an 1863 Summer Fair, a meet and greet with President Abraham Lincoln, Civil War–era vendors and period crafts, games and a scavenger hunt for kids.