Chicago Man Charged for Online Threats at Suburban Lawmaker
Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park).
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park) was receiving attacks and threats over a health records bill that was dramatically taken out of context:
Conroy temporarily closed her Villa Park office last week as a state police investigation began into reports of threats from people opposed to her proposal, which she said aimed to make state agencies more responsive to local health departments' requests for information.
Conroy, a Villa Park Democrat, said the legislation is needed because local health departments often must wait years to receive state health information they use in responding to local health concerns like maternal deaths or the opioid addiction crisis.
Critics claimed the bill would violate individuals' privacy rights and could lead to draconian governmental controls including isolation and "concentration camps" for people who refuse vaccinations.
Conroy disputed the claims. She said they led to foul language and abusive calls to her staff, as well as a small protest outside her office that she said included members of the alt-right group the Proud Boys.
A Chicago man has now been arrested and is being held on $100,000 bond for threats he made to Conroy. A press release from the DuPage County State’s Attorney:
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly announced today that a Chicago man has been charged with posting threatening Facebook messages directed at Illinois State Representative Deb Conroy. Cort Chubko, 59 (d.o.b. 7/15/1962) of the 6200 block of S. Whipple Street, appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge Joshua Dieden set bond at $100,000 with 10% to apply. Chubko has been charged with one count of Threatening a Public Official, a Class 3 Felony and one count of Intimidation, also a Class 3 Felony.
It is alleged that on February 4, 2022, and again on February 12, 2022, Chubko commented on and replied to comments on Representative Conroy’s Facebook page in a threatening manner. It is alleged that some of the comments left by Chubko included “heavy arms are being moved into and distributed across Dupage County. PEOPLE ARE PAST PISSED and READY TO FIGHT.”, “(expletive) is GOING TO get ugly in Dupage County.”, “This woman and all like her is the reason I own AND CARRY guns.”, “You know how I respond to fear Conroy? I move a little lever from SAFE to FIRE.” and “But know this Conroy and I couldnt be more serious… ALL HELL will come down on you, your staff and your office and your PRotection Detail isn’t going to be nearly enough to stop it.”. Through the course of their investigation authorities identified Chubko as the individual who allegedly made the posts. He was taken into custody yesterday afternoon from his residence without incident.
“For government to function properly, public officials must be allowed to perform their jobs without having to worry about retribution or fear for their personal safety,” Berlin said. “My office stands ready to prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, anyone who threatens a public official, their staff or their family. I thank the Illinois State Police for their outstanding work on this case. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Ken Tatarelis and Michael Pingaj for their efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Chubko.”
“Anyone contemplating this type of criminal conduct should be forewarned the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation takes threats to public officials of all kinds very seriously,” said ISP Director Brendan Kelly. “The outstanding, professional work of ISP special agents, ISP criminal intelligence analysts and DuPage County prosecutors moved this investigation forward to a swift apprehension of the defendant.”
Conroy is running for DuPage County Board Chairman this year.