Cops: Woman Punched Officer Over Parking Ticket

GLENCOE, IL — A Winnetka woman faces a felony charge after she became upset with a Glencoe law enforcement officer who was trying to ticket her, police said.

Lourdes I. Birnbaum, 59, of the 900 block of Green Bay Road, was arrested and charged with aggravated battery on the afternoon of June 3, according to Glencoe police.

She denies all charges and disputes the version of events described by law enforcement.

Police said a Glencoe officer was attempting to issue her a citation for an illegal left turn into a parking spot around Park and Vernon avenues.

At that point, Birnbaum allegedly became violent and struck Officer Katherine Sweeney with a closed fist, according to the criminal complaint.

According to Birnbaum, there was a barricade in the road due to the Glencoe Grand Prix. When she encountered it she turned around and eventually found a parking spot.

As Birnbaum described the entire "unpleasant" situation, Glencoe Public Safety officers created a situation leaving motorists no other option than to turn as she did.

Birnbaum said she has an MBA, has spent 22 years in the community with a clean record and intends to plead not guilty. In court documents, her occupation was listed as "office manager."

Sweeney's job title is "community service officer" with the Glencoe Department of Public Safety, where she has served for 28 years, according to city documents.

Top photo: Lourdes Birnbaum (Village of Glencoe)