Hoffman Estates couple sues neighbors over high-intensity light, stuffed goat, bleating noises

A bright light is at the center of a lawsuit between a pair of neighbors in a Hoffman Estates neighborhood, where one couple claims the other displayed a stuffed goat bearing the wife's name during the ongoing dispute.

Donald and Rebecca Newberg filed a lawsuit Oct. 17 in Cook County Circuit Court, accusing David J. and Pamela J. Park of maliciously erecting a bright light on their property, causing nuisances and intentionally causing them distress.

According to the complaint, the Newbergs on June 2 discovered the Parks, their nearby neighbors in Hoffman Estates, had installed a high-intensity light that shined on their property, allegedly rendering their patio and deck unusable after dark. They claim the light illuminates the interior of their house through the windows that face the Parks property.

The Newbergs contend that when they complained to David Park, he ignored them and then became aggressive after a subsequent complaint, threatening to put up more lights. After they complained to the village, they say someone trampled plants on their property.

And then on July 16, the suit states a stuffed goat appeared on the Parks' property facing the Newbergs' with a sign around its neck that read "Becky," something the plaintiffs assert was an obvious reference to Rebecca Newberg.

The complaint states that when the Newbergs complained to police, the sign was removed but the goat remained, and on July 20, David Park allegedly began making goat bleating noises through a microphone when he noticed his neighbors on their deck.

In their suit, the Newbergs are seeking an injunction to force the Parks to remove the light and prevent them for installing any additional objects, as well as an award for costs of bringing the suit.

They are represented by attorneys James A. Slowikowski and Marshall N. Dickler of Dickler, Kahn, Slowikowski & Zavell in Arlington Heights.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 14CH16838.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it only represents one side of the story.