The Renaissance Letter: Mayor’s office releases video footage that reveals City Hall assaults never happened

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Delinquent financial audits. A City Hall assault that never happened. Here are the top five things you need to know about the latest Harvey happenings for the week of October 28, 2024.

5. Following two-year renovation, 147th St. Metra station reopens

The Metra station on Sibley Boulevard reopens today after two years of renovations. Upgrades include a kiss-and-ride lane, bicycle parking, a new canopy, and warming shelters. Harvey did not pay for the endeavor. Rather, the $20 million rehabilitation was funded through the state’s Rebuild Illinois infrastructure program, the Federal Transit Administration, and a grant from the county’s Invest In Cook initiative.

The formal ribbon cutting will be Tuesday at 10:00A.M. Metra will also host a community celebration with food trucks, games, music, and giveaways on November 2 from noon to 3:00P.M. in the station’s parking lot.

4. Water shutoff for lone resident remaining at notorious Halsted St. apartment complex

Mary Bernadette Brooks, the only tenant remaining at a condemned apartment complex on 146th St. and Halsted St., told the HWH that her water has been turned off. But Harvey, which supplies water to residents, pointed the blame at the property owner, she said. Earlier this summer, Brooks received notice her water was to be turned off. Ald. Tyrone Rogers (6th) helped stall that process “indefinitely,” Brooks said. Two weeks ago, however, the water was finally turned off. According to Brooks, Harvey’s water department told her the property owner must’ve turned service off “from the street.”

The complex gained national attention in January after a company boarded up one man in his apartment while he was still inside. Harvey later fired Archie Tolar, Director of Building Inspectional Services, in the fallout.

3. State comptroller cracks down on Harvey for delinquent audits

In September, the Illinois State Comptroller’s office notified Mayor Chris Clark and Comptroller Louis Williams of a forthcoming forced audit over delinquent 2022 and 2023 fiscal audits. Harvey would then be expected to pay for and reimburse the Comptroller for expenses incurred for retaining a certified public accountant to perform Harvey’s audit, according to state law. The city was given until October 17 to respond to the letter.

2. Mayor’s office threatens city employees with termination for contact with alders

In September, Harvey reinforced a notice to city employees that they are not to sustain contact with alderpersons regarding city issues. “As a refresher, the letter stated, “Under no circumstance should an aldermen contact you unless it is a matter directly impacting the Aldermen. In the event an Alderman contacts you regarding City or residential issues, please refer the Aldermen to the Mayor’s office,” City Administrator Corean Davis wrote.

“Failure to comply with this directive may result in disciplinary action.” Davis’ letter references an initial notice sent to city employees on May 10, 2023. Since the spring, Mayor Chris Clark has also required alderpersons to refer inquiries about city business to his staffers prior to public meetings.

1. Harvey releases footage that reveals no City Hall assault after council meeting

The city finally released a video on its Facebook page regarding alleged assaults at City Hall in August, clearing up two months of back-and-forth between Ald. Colby Chapman (2nd) and City Administrator Corean Davis, who both accused one another of assault following a special City Council meeting on August 14. The city posted the footage “to ensure transparency and accountability,” the city wrote, but it’s likely to raise more questions and concerns about the series of events that followed that night.

The video does not have audio. On it, Chapman is seen attempting to speak with Keri-Lyn Krafthefer, a member of Harvey’s corporation counsel. Davis exits the mayor’s office and whispers into Krafthefer’s ear. Arguing ensues after Davis then returns to the mayor’s office.

The video taken from the lobby of City Hall, shows neither Davis nor Chapman assaulting one another.

The video confirms that Harvey police and spokesperson Glenn Harston II lied about Chapman assaulting Davis in their initial statements: Harvey possessed this footage yet still moved ahead with falsely arresting Chapman for assault on August 21. Davis and Mayor Chris Clark filed a request for an order of protection on August 22, which a judge later dismissed, even though they knew no assault occurred. Davis tripled down on her lie, according to court records, by elaborating Chapman assaulted Davis with her purse. City attorneys did not show in court on October 8 regarding the matter. They did not turn over police records or video footage to Chapman’s attorney Robert Hanlon.

But the video also contests Chapman’s side of events. Chapman was arrested again this month over filing a false police report, but the police department released her without charges. In a statement to WGN, the mayor’s office blasted the state’s attorney for not pursuing charges against Chapman, suggesting sorority ties between Kim Foxx and Chapman fueled that decision.