Joliet Elected Official Angel Contreras, 31, Charged With Domestic Battery

JOLIET, IL - Angel Contreras, a well-known Joliet civic leader who has coached men's soccer at Joliet Junior College, serves as vice chairman for the Joliet Housing Authority and is an elected official on District 204's school board, finds himself in trouble with Will County's criminal justice system. Court records show that on Aug. 4 a woman filed an emergency protection order against Contreras. That protection order was granted by a Will County judge. Then on Tuesday, Contreras was charged in Will County Circuit Court with domestic battery/physical contact stemming from an incident on Aug. 3, court records show.

The criminal charge against the 31-year-old Contreras, who shows an address in the 1400 block of Ada Street, is a Class A misdemeanor. Joliet Patch has left a voicemail message with Contreras seeking comment for this story.

"I am aware that an allegation has been made against Mr. Contreras, and I have been informed that he will be processed the same as any other citizen similarly accused," Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk said in a statement to Joliet Patch.

"Until the evidence is gathered and judged and the accusation is fully adjudicated, Mr. Contreras should determine for himself whether he believes it is appropriate to request a leave of absence or modified duty from any position of public trust that he holds," O'Dekirk said.

Joliet's mayor indicated he would not be asking for Contreras' resignation from his appointed position at the Joliet Housing Authority, where Contreras serves as vice chairman.

In April, the voters of Joliet elected Contreras to a seat on the Joliet Township District 204 school board. His board member bio notes that Contreras was born and raised in Joliet, and that he's a proud alumnus of Forest Park, Hufford, Joliet West and Joliet Junior College.

Joliet Junior College lists Contreras as being a long-time men's assistant soccer team coach, noting that he was an exceptional soccer player at JJC who later transferred to William Penn University on a soccer scholarship and continued to play soccer at a high level, earning his bachelor's degree in 2009.

Elsewhere in Joliet, Contreras has been active with the Will County Progressives organization.

"It would be inappropriate for I or for the city of Joliet to make any further comment on the matter until it is fully resolved," the mayor told Joliet Patch in his statement.

Image of Angel Contreras via Joliet Township High School District 204