Spring Break
Former bar owner files suit
Andrew Thomason
Issue date: 8/17/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Following several months of alleged police harassment, Patrick Hall, former owner of Hall's Bootleggers, filed suit against the City of Macomb, Macomb Downtown Development Corporation, unknown officers of the Macomb Police Department and several individuals for alleged violations of his civil rights.
According to Liz Wilhelm, Macomb city attorney, Bootleggers was monitored during its three months of operation by the Illinois State Police, which also asked the MPD to help in its investigation.
In a Jan. 22 Western Courier article, Hall claimed this investigation went beyond standard inquiries and into the realm of harassment.
According to Hall, the alleged harassment was strictly because he was the first black owner of the tavern.
"The Macomb Police went behind my back and spoke with my workers," Hall said. "They would talk to them when they were coming or going to work, or even from school."
Hall alleged the police presence forced Bootleggers to close down after being open for only six months.
The suit was filed July 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois in Peoria and the defendants have until Aug. 27 to respond. No court date has been set.
Recently, Bootleggers was reopened under new management.
According to Liz Wilhelm, Macomb city attorney, Bootleggers was monitored during its three months of operation by the Illinois State Police, which also asked the MPD to help in its investigation.
In a Jan. 22 Western Courier article, Hall claimed this investigation went beyond standard inquiries and into the realm of harassment.
According to Hall, the alleged harassment was strictly because he was the first black owner of the tavern.
"The Macomb Police went behind my back and spoke with my workers," Hall said. "They would talk to them when they were coming or going to work, or even from school."
Hall alleged the police presence forced Bootleggers to close down after being open for only six months.
The suit was filed July 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois in Peoria and the defendants have until Aug. 27 to respond. No court date has been set.
Recently, Bootleggers was reopened under new management.
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