Swastikas Drawn On Campaign Signs; Naperville Man Charged

NAPERVILLE, IL — A Naperville man has been charged with a hate crime after police say he defaced DuPage County Board Member Patty Gustin's candidate signs with swastikas.

Keith Klingeman, 49, of the 400 block of Sheffield Road, was charged with two felony counts of hate crime and one misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property.

Prosecutors say Klingeman used a marker to create swastika stickers, which he affixed to two of Gustin's campaign signs sometime between Oct. 2 and Oct. 16. A $50,000 warrant was issued Dec. 9 for Klingeman's arrest and he turned himself in later that day.

Klingeman posted $5,000 bond and was later released.

“The allegations against Mr. Klingeman are simply despicable,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

He added, "Hate crimes have no place in a civilized society. All of us deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and anyone who violates this principle based on race, religion or any other hateful prejudice will be held accountable."

Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres remarked, “Naperville strives to be an inclusive community that values diversity, and the actions alleged in this case directly conflict with that mission," promising that the city would remain vigilant against such hate crimes.

Gustin, who was recently sworn in on the DuPage Coiunty Board, told Patch, "This holiday season and all year should be filled with LOVE and not hate of fellow human beings."

She continued, "My family is honored in the Holocaust Museum in Washington [DC] and Israel. I have been proud to share this, however, it put a target on my back."

Klingeman is set to appear in court on Jan. 9.