SOUTH LOOP — Police haven’t arrested the woman and man who attacked two teens for chalking “Biden 2020” at a South Loop park, though the alleged attacker was identified.
After Block Club reported on the videotaped assault last week, neighbors came forward to identify the people seen in the video. Alexis Hadac, 19, who was left with several injuries, said she and her friend, Haylee Sandoval, filed a police report and identified the woman during a police interview Saturday.
Still, the woman has not been arrested and no charges were pending as of Tuesday night. Block Club is not naming the woman because she has not been charged.
Police said detectives are still investigating the case and have classified the incident as simple battery.
Illinois classifies simple battery as a misdemeanor charge, which could result in a maximum $1,000 fine or six months to one year in jail.
Hadac said detectives told her Saturday the woman might only be served a court notice for the misdemeanor instead of being arrested as part of the Police Department’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Hadac said police provided no information about the man, who is believed to be the woman’s son.
“They are being let loose until the court date, which we don’t know when that will be or if it will be set back because of COVID,” Hadac said. “It seems almost like she’s getting pushed out of this.”
Hadac said the attack left her with a mild concussion, swelling in one of her elbows and pain in her back, neck and knee.
A police spokesperson said they could not comment on Hadac’s concerns due to the ongoing investigation. The spokesperson pointed to the department’s Special Order response, which states arrests for non-felony offenses that do not require a judge’s bond could be issued via a court order instead of a physical arrest.
That same order requires department members to wear masks while on the job and dealing with coronavirus-related incidents, but officers have seldom worn masks during the pandemic.
In response to the incident, South Loop neighbors held a socially distant chalk party Saturday to bring together the neighborhood and show support for Hadac and her friend. Kids and adults covered the park’s cement center with chalk messages like, “South Loop strong,” “Parks are for everyone” and “Go home, Karen.”
Hadac said she appreciates the outpouring of community support, but she still wants justice served. She wants the woman charged with assault, not just battery.
A police spokesperson said incidents are classified based on the information given to officers at the scene when a police report is filed and the charge could change with on new evidence or information.
In the incident caught on video, the woman can be heard saying her husband is an officer, although police have not confirmed this information to Hadac or Block Club. However, the victim said if the woman’s husband is a police officer, it’s especially worrisome no charges have been filed.
“I’m pretty sure he knows what’s going on, he heard of everything happening, and for him not to be like, ‘OK you need to turn yourself in or you need to talk to the police to get this figured out’ seems to me like they are already trying to cover it,” she said.
Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) said in an email to Block Club the attack was an “unfortunate isolated incident” and she has not heard other incidents of the same nature occur in the area.
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