Back in the Chamber: 

Jamie Hicks Confronts City Council After Yearlong Gag Order

HICKS INVESTIGATIVE NEWS SPECIAL REPORT

By Hicks Investigative News

LaSalle, Illinois – May 12, 2025

In a moment that was both defiant and historic, Jamie Hicks—investigative journalist, civic watchdog, and LaSalle’s most outspoken critic—returned to the LaSalle City Council chambers Monday night, exactly one year after being forcibly silenced under a controversial workplace order of protection initiated by Finance Director John Duncan.

The order, widely criticized by civil liberties advocates as a misuse of judicial authority, barred Hicks from attending public meetings, entering city hall, or confronting officials who were the subjects of his investigations. His return on May 12 marked not only a symbolic reclaiming of his First Amendment rights—but also a warning shot to the officials who tried to keep him out.

“You used a legal workplace order of protection to sideline me... That’s an appeal.”

The protective order stemmed from what Hicks and his legal counsel have described as a retaliatory campaign—engineered after he publicly exposed financial irregularities, FOIA suppression, and questionable ordinance changes tied to Duncan and Mayor Jeff Grove.

The City alleged that Hicks posed a threat due to his confrontational style and intense scrutiny, but multiple court filings, transcripts, and recordings obtained by Hicks Investigative News indicate that the City’s justification lacked credible evidence.

“Every time you bend the law to shut me up, you steal from the public—not just money, but the right to transparency and truth.”

“I became a target for demanding answers. For showing up. For not being afraid to name names.”

Speaking during public comment, Hicks didn’t hold back. He condemned the use of legal maneuvers to exclude critics, accused the mayor of fabricating evidence in the Apollo fire alarm incident, and warned that lawsuits were imminent.

“You’ve tried it all on me—I’m not going away.”

“You twist my name into something it's not. You label me a threat, a disruption. But the real threat in this city isn’t at the podium—it’s seated behind it.”

He further alleged that his phone was unlawfully seized under false pretenses and that city officials had shared private data with third parties without legal justification. His remarks were cut off after exactly three minutes—the maximum allowed—despite earlier speakers being granted significantly more time.

Adding to the symbolism of the night was the renewed police presence inside the council chambers—a reminder of the force used one year prior to remove Hicks under the now-contested workplace order. Their return cast a chilling undertone, reinforcing the perception of a government still prepared to use intimidation to silence dissent.

Notably absent from the meeting was Finance Director John Duncan, the official who initiated the protective order that sidelined Hicks. Duncan’s decision to skip the meeting—without explanation—raises questions about his ability to defend his actions in a public forum now that the order is expiring and litigation is looming.

“They fill this room with cops again to intimidate me. You don’t scare me. Your tactics don’t work.”

Hicks confirmed that he will be filing a joint Section 1983 and 1985 federal civil rights lawsuit against multiple officials, including Grove, Duncan, and Police Chief Mike Smudzinski, alleging unlawful seizure, retaliation, and conspiracy to suppress public speech.

The case—anticipated to include voluminous documentation, meeting transcripts, and sworn statements—is expected to draw regional attention.

“We'll see you in federal court. Every single one of you.”

Hicks’s return marks not just a personal victory, but a renewed call for institutional accountability. With his investigative team actively exposing Open Meetings Act violations, selective ordinance enforcement, and financial favoritism, the pressure on LaSalle’s leadership is mounting.

“This isn’t just about me. This is about what kind of government this community deserves.”

As Hicks resumes his watchdog role, the city council chambers may again become the front line in a battle over power, speech, and the public’s right to know.