The Renaissance Letter: Mayor Chris Clark, city staffers, and police brass extorting local businesses, federal lawsuit alleges

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City and police officials accused of extortion. Striking professors. Here are the top five things to know about Harvey and south suburban happenings for the week of November 18, 2024.

5. Cook County launches municipal recycling program

Dixmoor, Phoenix, and Posen are slated to receive $1 million total in dollars to curb roadside residential recycling. The program, which leverages remaining American Rescue Plan Act funding, aims to divert 45 percent of suburban waste away from regional landfills. Eligibility criteria were based on economic challenges, an absence of curbside recycling for residents, and moderate to high environmental justice index scores from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eligible municipalities were contacted directly and grants issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Republic Services will serve as the recycling collection center for the municipalities.

4. Draft of Harvey’s comprehensive plan available for public review and comment

In collaboration the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Harvey is releasing the draft of its first-ever comprehensive plan, available for public input. The document is near 100 pages long and includes roadmap ideas for, including but not limited to, historic preservation, parks and recreation, strengthening infrastructure, and more. Read the draft here. Submit your public comment here.

3. New search underway after Harvey fires city collector convicted of financial crimes

Harvey is now once again hiring for a city collector, generally responsible with overseeing payment and debt collection, according to the city’s current employment opportunities. That comes after the city fired Adonnis Shaw. He was hired this summer, a move the city praised in its print newsletter “Harvey Pulse.” But he’s out after the HWH reported Shaw plead guilty to forgery and theft in 2015. He’d stolen money from personal bank accounts at a Jacksonville, Illinois, Walmart, where worked. At the same time, Shaw was a City Council member.

2. South Suburban College faculty authorize strike

Saying they’re overworked and underpaid, the junior college’s faculty authorized a strike last week. Teachers have been embroiled in contract negotiations with college leadership for several months. But now, they’re eyeing a work halt. In board meetings this summer, faculty represented by the Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600 have voiced frustrations over wages that haven’t kept up with inflation and lower salaries than regional community colleges. Simultaneously, South Suburban College is financially stretched, running a near $100,000 surplus this next fiscal year, according to its operating budget.

1. Mayor Chris Clark, city staffers, and police brass extorting local businesses, federal lawsuit alleges

A coalition that includes an alderperson, preservationist, and local businesses filed a sweeping federal lawsuit accusing city officials and police officers of extortion, civil rights abuses, suppression of free speech, and police intimidation.

The lawsuit, filed last Thursday, explicitly accuses Mayor Chris Clark, Harvey Police Chief Cameron Biddings, Harvey Deputy Police Chief Derrick Charles, and City Administrator Corean Davis of extorting local businesses for money under the pretext of collecting unpaid property taxes. The complaint also demands trial by jury and plaintiffs are seeking damages. 

Plaintiffs include Black and Brown businesses — ranging from liquor stores and automotive companies —Ald. Colby Chapman (2nd), and Ryan Sinwelski, a former mayoral ally whom the mayor whom the mayor had arrested in June. Sinwelski and Chapman make claims that they were both wrongfully arrested at the order of the mayor and police brass.

In January, Harvey passed an ordinance preventing business licenses from being issued to companies located at tax delinquent commercial entities — whether that business owns the property or not. Months later, the mayor’s office released a “business settlement agreement.” Impacted businesses can pay fines (ranging from $12,000 to $30,000) in a tiered system while that commercial property catches up in its taxes.

However, none of the incoming fines can be applied toward taxes because Cook County Treasurer’s Office is only permitted to send bills and collect payments. Clark has routinely defended the move, in which Harvey is the only south suburban municipality of public knowledge revoking licenses and issuing fines over unpaid property taxes.

The lawsuit subtly accuses the Clerk’s Office of violating the state’s public records laws, barring plaintiffs much, if any, financial information regarding how much businesses have paid in fines.

Superintendent of Public Works Richard Seput, accused of ordering building employees to place concrete blockades in front of local businesses, recently reported by ABC7 Chicago, is also being sued.

Download and real the full complaint here.