A new civil rights lawsuit filed in the Central District of Illinois has brought to light a series of alleged injustices and systemic failures within Cook County's judicial system. Kevin J. Keeler, representing himself and others similarly situated, filed the complaint on February 2, 2024, against Cook County, alleging widespread violations of civil rights under various federal statutes.
Keeler's complaint paints a harrowing picture of his experiences with the Cook County judicial system. He recounts an incident from April 2023 when he was arrested while playing basketball at Memorial Park. The police accused him of exposing himself to children—a charge he vehemently denies. Despite video evidence proving his innocence, Keeler claims he was wrongfully detained and later charged with aggravated battery for allegedly spitting on an officer—another accusation he denies. "I have never spit on people, especially police officers," Keeler asserts in his filing.
The narrative continues with Keeler's harrowing eight-week stay in Cook County Jail, where he describes deplorable conditions including inadequate food and lack of medical care for his glaucoma. "For lunch it was bread and cold slimy baloney... Good thing the other inmates helped me out," Keeler recalls. He also details how his attempts to secure release were thwarted by misinformation about his bond amount.
Keeler's troubles with the Cook County judicial system did not end there. He recounts multiple instances where he believes due process was denied or manipulated against him. In one case, after being convicted based on what he claims was false testimony and without proper evidence being presented, Keeler received two years of felony probation. His fear of further wrongful convictions led him to dismiss a civil rights case voluntarily.
The plaintiff outlines numerous other grievances spanning several years, including unlawful evictions, foreclosure under dubious circumstances, physical assaults ignored by authorities, and professional setbacks due to legal battles that consumed significant time and resources. In one particularly distressing episode, Keeler describes how an emergency order of protection based on false allegations led to his eviction from his own property.
Keeler’s complaint is rooted in accusations that Cook County officials have consistently violated federal laws designed to protect civil rights (42 U.S.C §§ 1983, 1985, 1986) and engaged in practices that undermine due process and equal protection under the law. He references historical cases like Monroe v. Pape (1961) to support his claims that misuse of power by state officials constitutes action under color of state law.
In seeking relief from the court, Keeler requests general compensatory damages for emotional distress and financial losses incurred due to these alleged injustices. He also seeks statutory damages, punitive damages for willful misconduct by county officials, attorney’s fees despite representing himself pro se, and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case has been assigned Case ID: 1:24-cv-05605 with Judge Sara Darrow presiding over it. The defendant is represented by Karen A. Yarbrough from the Cook County Clerk’s office.