Dupage Policy Journal

Controversy continues to surround Lisle mayoral candidate Stephen A. Winz.

After Lisle resident James Stramaglia posted images of a Lisle Police Department arrest report for Winz’s 2016 arrest for disorderly conduct, it seems that someone is taking revenge.

On March 3, Stramaglia posted an image that included a copy of the mayoral candidate’s 2016 police report, along with DuPage County Board member Liz Chaplin’s photo, and a screenshot of her support for Winz. He questioned whether Chaplin was maintaining her endorsement.

Days later, a supporter of mayoral candidate Winz has been accused of fabricating a fake police report alleging that James Stramaglia was involved in an incident where he allegedly had a blood alcohol content level of 6.03%, failed to pay attention, and acted erratically.

The last line of this report reads “this is a fake report to illustrate how easy it is to create fake reports."

Winz's arrest occurred in 2016 when police were called to the Evviva Bar to investigate a patron possibly passing off a counterfeit $100 bill.

When Winz was confronted about the authenticity of the currency, he allegedly started screaming and causing a disturbance.

“At 4:56 a.m., Winz decided to leave [the police station] and gathered all his property,” wrote Officer James Dexter in the report. “As we were leaving out the side door Winz looked at me and stated ‘I hope all the niggers kill you, I swear to fucking God I hope they kill you all. Black Lives Matter.’”

 Belligerent behavior continued during the ride to the Lisle Police Station and when they arrived at the station, Dexter wrote in the report.  

It turned out that the bill Winz paid with was not a counterfeit bill, and he was not charged for anything related to the $100 bill. He was charged with disorderly conduct.

Throughout the morning hours, officers asked Winz to take his property and sign the necessary documents, and he refused.

Stramaglia isn’t the only individual who questions Winz’s conduct.

Concerned citizen Mike Zenz has called for Winz to resign. He called Winz’s behavior reprehensible and requested an inquiry by the village board.

“The manner, language, and tone with which he addressed another department is not in alignment with the standards of conduct by an elected official,” Zenz said in an official statement. “It is actually quite to the contrary. Even though this took place years ago, it is disturbing to me that he did not come out with a statement regarding the situation.”

There is no evidence, aside from the police report that says it is a fake report, that Stramaglia was ever stopped for suspicion of driving under the influence, or that he acted in the manner described in the fake report which appeared to be on a Hanover Township Police Department Internal Affairs Complaint/Report Form.

*Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Zenz as a Lisle trustee. We've corrected the error.