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Ticket withdrawn against Southtown reporter

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* I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The legislature needs to rein in these sorts of local ordinances…

Calumet City officials have dropped municipal charges against a Daily Southtown reporter they alleged violated local ordinances by seeking comment from public employees on major flooding issues in the area.

The reversal comes just days after the south suburb sent several citations to Hank Sanders, a Southtown reporter whose job includes covering Calumet City.

The Southtown, which is owned by the Chicago Tribune’s parent company, published a story online Oct. 19 and in print Oct. 20 in which Sanders reported that consultants had informed Calumet City officials that their stormwater facilities were in poor condition before September’s historic rains caused flooding.

A day after the story was published online, Sanders continued to report on the issue, drawing complaints from city officials, including Mayor Thaddeus Jones, that he was calling employees to seek comment. Officials emailed Sanders tickets citing him for “interference/hampering of city employees.”

Sanders was just doing his job, for crying out loud.

…Adding… A buddy pointed me to Cal City’s ordinances. Here’s one…

Sec. 62-334. - Bathing suits.

(a) No person shall swim or bathe in the waters of a public swimming pool in the city, unless such person is clothed in a suitable bathing dress.

(b) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than five dollars ($5.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each offense.

Here’s one banning blasphemous movies…

It shall be unlawful to permit any person to offer or present any motion picture which has a tendency to cause a riot or public disturbance of the peace, or any immoral, indecent or blasphemous picture or performance.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 4:02 pm

Comments

Oh boy. How times have changed in Calumet City. Fining folks re: proper bathing attire.

BITD, Cal City was known as a spot for strip clubs and taverns on every corner. Even the back rooms had back rooms. Yet, a few very fine restaurants enjoyed a steady clientele. Fun memories.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 4:47 pm
If the mayor doesn’t want employees talking to the press, fine. Doesn’t mean it is binding on the press.

Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 4:56 pm
===The legislature needs to rein in these sorts of arguments===

Someone should tell the Representative for Cal City, that seems like a pretty obvious bill for them to carry. /s

Comment by Stratton Raccoon Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 4:59 pm
*ordinances

Sorry

Comment by Stratton Raccoon Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 4:59 pm
==Here’s one banning blasphemous movies…==

I wouldn’t be shocked if lots of towns have something like this. The movie organization the National Board of Review originated as a censorship board for New York City. Additionally, one reason the old motion picture code (the Hays Code) came into effect was to have industry regulation rather than have government censorship/regulation (that could spread and vary across hundreds or even thousands of local jurisdictions, making filmmaking rather impossible).

Comment by Google Is Your Friend Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 5:10 pm
The legislature needs to rein in these sorts of arguments

Welp, their Mayor could introduce said legislation.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 5:13 pm
Double Dip Thad

Comment by Almost the Weekend Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 5:46 pm
Not disagreeing with you, but …

The Big Brother Committee will come to order …
Today’s hearing will be a review of what we don’t like about Arcola’s local laws.
Yes, yes, we see you Zion. Don’t worry, we’ll get to you eventually.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 6:30 pm
Free Press. This is happening too many times in recent memory. It isn’t just Republicans. This mayor is a Democrat. They don’t like it when we ask questions. The political class has this all in hand. You all don’t have to worry your pretty little heads about it, just trust us.

Comment by Former State Employee Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 7:29 pm
It’s pretty common in government offices at all levels that rank and file are restricted from talking to the press, that duty being reserved for the public information office for purposes of clear communication.

The reporter can ask someone who’s not the PIO questions, but they are not obligated to answer. They still might, in confidence. That’s a personal choice and risk.

None of that questioning by the reporter is illegal. It’s constitutionally protected. The employee might get fired for violating policy. But taking random calls from a citizen, reporter or not, is part of a government employee’s duty. If it’s a reporter, and you are not the PIO your orders are to refer the call to the PIO and tell that office an inquiry was made.

A credentialed reporter on official business cannot be retaliated against in the way this story describes. That’s easily a law suit and slam dunk finding.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 8:29 pm
===Officials emailed Sanders tickets citing him for “interference/hampering of city employees.”===

I feel like this is an abuse of authority and the city could probably use that as a basis for a causal discharge for whomever had this bright idea.

Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 9:24 pm
He also had the police fine an Alderman for her actions during a city council meeting.

Comment by Todd & Margo Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 9:28 pm