Kane official: Prosecutor is ‘distracted’ by Van Dyke case
Board leader cites cost days before opening statements
The leader of the Kane County Board says State’s Attorney Joe McMahon is too “distracted” by prosecuting the complex and high-profile murder case against Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, going so far as to declare the work a “misappropriation” of Kane County taxpayer funds.
McMahon countered that the chairman is “playing politics with the case” and contended his office’s work prosecuting Van Dyke is not costing Kane County residents any extra tax dollars.
County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen said McMahon “has allowed himself to be distracted” by the Van Dyke prosecution.
“I believe this is a misappropriation of Kane County money, when we were never consulted,” Lauzen said in a phone interview Friday.
At a county board committee meeting Thursday, Lauzen called for an accounting of the time and resources McMahon and other county attorneys have spent during the last two years since McMahon was assigned independent prosecutor on the case against Van Dyke, who is charged with murder in the 2014 shooting death of an African-American teenager, Laquan McDonald.
Lauzen said McMahon has missed several judicialpublic safety committee meetings in the last six months, and the chairman also referenced news articles in which McMahon indicated how time-consuming the special prosecution assignment could be, involving 13- and 14-hourlong days for him and his team.
“It’s the personification of arrogance in public office, the refusal to answer questions about someone else’s money,” Lauzen said.
McMahon, in a prepared statement, said his office’s involvement in the Van Dyke case “gives the entire community confidence in our justice system and shows the willingness of public prosecutors, even in the face of public criticism and second guessing, to pursue, at all times, justice that is integral to our liberty.”
The prosecutor said his staff’s compensation salaries and benefits are fixed and that extra expenses related to the Van Dyke case are being reimbursed by Cook County.
McMahon further asserted that Lauzen, while a state lawmaker, supported legislation allowing state’s attorneys to serve as special prosecutors.
“It’s a shame (Lauzen) sees fit to play politics with this case, and that he continues to try to undermine other elected officials in Kane County,” McMahon’s statement said. “The board members who have spoken to me about this have been overwhelmingly supportive.”
Kane County Board Vice Chairman John Hoscheit praised McMahon’s work in the county.
“I think the state’s attorney is doing a very professional job, as he always does,” Hoscheit said in a phone interview.
Hoscheit added that McMahon is merely carrying out his obligation to assist another county in need.
“From time to time, our county has conflicts of interest as well, and we rely on our neighboring counties to assist us,” Hoscheit said. “This circumstance is no different. What we’re doing here is reciprocating.”
Lauzen and McMahon have battled over other local political issues over the years, most recently regarding a lawsuit over plans for a controversial drug treatment facility near Campton Hills.
Van Dyke, a 13-year veteran with the Chicago Police Department, faces six counts of first-degree murder, 16 counts of aggravated battery and one count of official misconduct for the on-duty shooting of 17-yearold McDonald.
Van Dyke opted for a jury trial Friday. Opening statements in the case are expected to begin Monday.
Kane County Chief Judge Susan Clancy Boles did not immediately return calls for comment.