RAZE
- Oct 8, 2020
- 2 min read

Joliet, IL Mayor Bob O'Dekirk and Police Officers Sued after video shows attack on black protester

Updated: May 19, 2021

This video shows mayor attacking victim

This video shows police attacking victim

The victim, Victor Williams, is a 23-year-old resident of Lockport. He is being represented by two Chicago attorneys, Lawrence O'Reilly and Michael Baker.

They have filed a federal lawsuit against Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk, who is a former Joliet police officer, as well as active police officers at the Joliet Police Department, accusing them of excessive force, false arrest/unlawful detention, failure to intervene, conspiracy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Several witnesses confirmed what the video shows, that the mayor was the aggressor and the victim did nothing to provoke the confrontation.

“They were not engaging in any type of activity other than protesting,” said attorney Michael Baker.

In a screenshot of the article below from the Herald, the mayor appears to have engaged in some sort of quid pro quo appointing Brad Price to the city police board in exchange for a 'quell of the violence' in my opinion. This happened immediately after the incident.