Lindsey Heavener, Foe Of Mayor O'Dekirk, Seeks City Council Seat

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet City Council's Pat Mudron 5 coalition is known for working collectively to thwart the political agenda of two-term Mayor Bob O'Dekirk. However, with Don Dickinson not seeking re-election, and two other open seats in the April 6 election, a number of Joliet residents are pursuing plans to run for a seat. On Thursday morning, one of O'Dekirk's biggest adversaries, now-retired Joliet Police Sgt. Lindsey Heavener, obtained nominating papers to run for an at-large council seat in the April 6 elections.

In 2019, Heavener was the 36th highest paid city of Joliet employee making $167,345. Heavener retired at the end of January and the city paid him $60,221 for his unused vacation, sick time bank and comp time hours.

In September 2019, Sgt. Heavener was working at the September Fiesta en la Calle in downtown Joliet and Mayor O'Dekirk, along with other city leaders, were fielding complaints that night from people suggesting that Heavener was consuming alcohol from a red plastic cup while on duty at the festival's tequila bar.

On the night of the festival, Police Chief Al Roechner, who is a friend of Heavener, waited about eight or nine hours before taking action.

The chief rode with Heavener to a local hospital and then issued a subsequent report indicating that Heavener's blood-alcohol concentration was negative as a result of a blood draw and urine screen, Joliet Patch previously reported.

On Sept. 26, 2019, Sgt. Heavener sent an email to city clerk Christa Desiderio, stating "Christa please accept this email as my notification and desire to initiate a formal complaint against Mayor Bob O'Dekirk and Councilwoman Jan Quillman for the actions both parties engaged in on the night of September 14th and outlined in the report submitted to the City Manager by Chief Roechner," Heavener's letter states.

"The actions outlined in this report not only demonstrate a clear ethics violation but also show a complete disregard for the oath of office that both the mayor and councilwoman swore to uphold. I respectfully request a complete investigation by the jurisdiction with authority in this matter."

Five years ago, Heavener and O'Dekirk were good friends. Not anymore.

In 2015, Heavener, as president of the Joliet Police Supervisors Association, submitted a six-paragraph letter to the editor of area news agencies asking readers to be sure to vote for Bob O'Dekirk as the next mayor of Joliet.

"I have been fortunate enough to have served this city as a police officer for the past 25 years. I have personally witnessed the best and worst this city has to offer. I have lived in this city for 30 years, during which time I have raised a family. My senses tell me it's time for change in this city and that's why I, along with the organization I represent, have chosen to endorse and support Bob O'Dekirk for Joliet mayor ... Let's use all our senses on Tuesday and elect Bob O'Dekirk our next mayor," Heavener wrote in his letter to the editor published by The Times Weekly.

Patch has left a voicemail message with Heavener seeking comment on his bid to run for Joliet city office.