Order of Protection Expires, Silencing Attempt Fails

LaSalle, IL — After more than a year under a retaliatory workplace order of protection filed by the City of LaSalle and backed by flawed courtroom testimony, journalist and former mayoral candidate Jamie Hicks has regained full rights to attend public meetings, speak at the podium, and confront the officials who used the courts to silence him.

The order—signed by Judge Jason Helland on March 21, 2024—expired today, May 3, 2025. It barred Hicks from City Hall and all city properties, blocked his public comment rights, and prevented him from accessing civic documents. The case, which was based on testimony from Finance Director John Duncan and City employees, has since been exposed in a five-part investigative series published by Hicks News.

“This was never about safety. It was about suppressing dissent and covering up misconduct,” said Hicks. “They tried to take away my voice with a courtroom order—and now that it’s over, I’m coming back louder, stronger, and with the facts in hand.”

In court, Duncan claimed emotional distress from Hicks’ livestreams, citing a sarcastic joke about a “micropenis” and falsely claiming Hicks threatened to “put someone in a noose.” Testimony from Kevin Fay, the Public Works Director, admitted he didn’t hear any threats—he simply repeated what Duncan told him. Civilian witness Dawn Hicks contradicted the City’s version, testifying no threats were made and law enforcement present took no action. The judge ignored her.

The outcome: A protection order was granted based on hearsay, political loyalty, and courtroom bias—despite the law requiring conduct at a workplace and excluding First Amendment activity.

A Series That Tells the Truth

To mark the end of the order, Hicks News has released a five-part exposé detailing every step of the case, from Duncan’s contradictory testimony to Judge Helland’s emotionally charged closing remarks.

The series includes:

• Exposé #1: “Bench of Bias” – Duncan’s contradictions and the judge’s legal failures

• Exposé #2: “False Witness” – Kevin Fay’s admission he didn’t hear the threat

• Exposé #3: “Micropenis, Noose Lies, and a Framed Journalist” – Jamie Hicks’ full defense

• Exposé #4: “The Verdict Was Written Before the Hearing Began” – Judge Helland’s biased ruling

• Exposé #5: “The Gag Is Gone” – The order expires, and the fight for truth continues

“I’ve been removed from public meetings like a criminal while John Duncan stood up in sync with police to orchestrate my exit—like he was on cue,” said Hicks. “Now I’m stepping back in with the spotlight on the whole operation.”

Jamie Hicks will resume full participation in all LaSalle City Council meetings and continue publishing investigations on:

• Financial mismanagement

• Open Meetings Act violations

• Misuse of TIF and grant funds

• The judicial bias that allowed this order to exist in the first place

This isn’t the end of the story. It’s the beginning of a broader reckoning.