Politics & Government
Should Joliet Help Keep Jason Van Dyke Incarcerated?
Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk said he would not be getting involved in issues concerning the U.S. Attorney's Office of John Lausch.
JOLIET, IL — Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk said that Tuesday night was an odd meeting for the Joliet City Council. Much of the discussion was dominated by Chicago-based community activists demanding that U.S. Attorney John Lausch, a Joliet native, bring federal charges against Jason Van Dyke, the former Chicago police officer who killed 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in 2014.
Van Dyke was sentenced to 81 months in prison after he became the first Chicago Police officer in 50 years to be convicted of murder in connection with an on-duty incident. He is set to be released from prison on Feb. 3.
"You have a resident here that we need to make contact with. That resident is John Lausch, he's the U.S. Attorney of the Northern District of Illinois," Chicago community organizer William Calloway said, addressing the Joliet City Council. "John Lausch has the legal authority to file federal charges on Jason Van Dyke. We demand Mayor Bob that you and the Council reach out to this resident and let him know the people of Chicago demand him to file federal charges on Jason Van Dyke immediately."
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According to O'Dekirk, Lausch does not currently live in Joliet. He grew up in Joliet. Still, several people who addressed the Joliet Council incorrectly suggested Lausch resides in Joliet.
Lausch was appointed to the position by President Donald Trump, and President Joe Biden agreed to keep Lausch in the role. 
Find out what's happening in Jolietfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Calloway ended his remarks to the Joliet City Council by saying, "This is the first time we have come. We need charges. We need justice, and we do come in peace."
On Wednesday, O'Dekirk told Patch that he spoke with about 10 of the out-of-town community organizers after the meeting. The mayor said he's open to having a dialogue with them. But in the case of Lausch, O'Dekirk said he will not be getting involved in the Van Dyke case.
"I'm not going to pursue that," O'Dekirk said. "The U.S. Attorney runs the U.S. Attorney's Office, and we should be concerned about the city of Joliet."
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