Glasgow Won't Comply With Joliet Inspector General's Interview Request

JOLIET, IL — Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow, who is believed to have had phone conversations and exchanged text messages with former Joliet City Councilman Don "Dick" Dickinson, does not plan to let Joliet's inspector general Sean Connolly interview him about the manner, court filings show.

For several months in 2022, Dickinson was charged with attempted obstruction of justice. His charges were later dismissed by a special prosecutor. Meanwhile, Illinois State Police Lt. Sam Thomas wanted criminal charges brought against retired Joliet police chief Al Roechner and retired deputy chief Marc Reid, for their role in the phony intimidation investigation of Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk.

The special prosecutor, Bill Elward, did not follow through on Thomas' recommendation. Connolly is trying to examine what role, if any, Glasgow may have had in the matter.

According to Monday's court filing by the Will County State's Attorney's Office:

• "On March 14, 2023, the Inspector General for Joliet filed a lawsuit against the Illinois State Police and "the Inspector General alleges that it needs to obtain information, through subpoena, from ISP to conduct an investigation into a dispute between Joliet Mayor Robert O'Dekirk and Former Joliet Councilman Donald Dickinson."
• "Subsequent to the filing of this suit, Inspector General Sean P. Connolly issued a letter to James W. Glasgow seeking to interview State's Attorney Glasgow regarding the O'Dekirk/Dickinson matter."
• "State's Attorney Glasgow does not to intend to comply with any request to be interviewed by the Inspector General which is based on a clearly unconstitutional ordinance."
• "The State's Attorney believes that the Inspector General ordinance is patently unconstitutional and that even if properly constituted, an inspector general has no authority to issue or enforce subpoenas outside its respective unit of local government. Therefore, there is a potential and reasonably likely conflict between the Inspector General and the Will County State's Attorney."

According to assistant Will County State's Attorney Scott Pyles' court filing, "Here, the plaintiff appears to have done no investigation or research concerning the authority to bring this claim. As such, the plaintiff should be sanctioned for bringing this case without a factual investigation of the claim or the legal basis with to proceed.

"Wherefore, the intervenor prays that the complaint of the plaintiff be stricken and dismissed."

To read the latest Connolly inspector general report, visit Joliet's website.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

McFarland Refused To Speak With Inspector General: Attorney

Ex-Chief, Ex-Deputy Chief Conspired To Damage Mayor: IL State Police

Mudron: Dickinson Wanted To Get Ahead Of Private Parts Photo Scandal

Don Dickinson Probe: Jim Glasgow May Face Questioning Next