20140327 PR-VIllage wins former Police officer Stephen Peterson appeal
Press Release
Contact: David Niemeyer
Phone: (630) 368‐5020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Email: dniemeyer@oak‐brook.org
VILLAGE WINS PETERSON APPEAL
OAK BROOK, IL –March 27, 2014– The Illinois Supreme Court has denied Steven Peterson’s
request to appeal an Appellate Court decision that upheld the Village of Oak Brook Board of
Fire and Police Commission’s (BFPC) decision to terminate former police officer Stephen
Peterson.
“The Supreme Court’s denial of the appeal ends the litigation on the Peterson termination
matter”, said Village President Manager David NiemeyerGopal Lalmalani. “We have always
believed that the evidence strongly supported the decision of the BFPC and we are glad that the
courts have agreed with the Village’s position.”
As noted Oon February 19, 2011, the BFPC sustained the charges brought against Peterson for
violating State Statute and several Oak Brook police conduct regulations. In sustaining the
charges, the Board cited , among other things, the contradictory testimony that Peterson gave
concerning his purported reason the weapons were given to him, the circumstances by which
funds were transferred to him, as well as his rationale for not immediately disclosing the above
information to the Illinois State Police.
Overall, the BFPC found that Peterson "exercised extremely poor judgment with respect to the
weapons and money that he received from his father, Drew Peterson." The BFPC further found
that Peterson’s testimony and demeanor at the hearing demonstrated his refusal to acknowledge
any error in judgment on his part. According to the BFPC, "w[w]hether the weapons or the
money ultimately held any evidentiary value relative to the investigation . . . is irrelevant.
Considering the totality of the circumstances it was incumbent on Officer Peterson to
immediately disclose his receipt of the weapons and money to the appropriate authorities and he
willfully elected to ignore that obligation."
In determining the appropriate discipline, the Board considered Peterson’s prior discipline,
including suspensions. Furthermore, the Board considered the reasonable level of judgment
expected of someone granted the extraordinary legal authority of police power. Finally, the
BFPC found that Peterson’s statements were self-serving, disingenuous, not credible, and
demonstrated that Peterson lacked the fundamental ability to make sound judgments.
About Oak Brook:
Founded in 1958, the Village of Oak Brook is located 15 miles west of downtown Chicago and is
in proximity to the junction of Interstates 88, 294, and 290. The Village consists mostly of
residential subdivisions, with the exception of the Oak Brook Center shopping mall, other retail
and office properties along 22nd Street and Interstate 88. Oak Brook is the home of many
corporate offices, most notably, the world headquarters of McDonald’s Corporation, Ace
Hardware, Tree House Foods, Inland Real Estate and the service club organization Lions Clubs
International. Oak Brook is also known for being one of the few municipalities in the Chicago
area that does not levy a property tax on residents or businesses. To learn more about Oak Brook,
please visit http://www.oak-brook.org.
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For more information or media inquiries, please contact David Niemeyer via email at
dniemeyer@oak-brook.org or by phone by calling (630) 368-5020.