Mundelein Family Protests Disrupt Second Board Meeting
Demonstrators interrupted officials again on Thursday after prosecutors declined to charge the officer who killed Mary Alice Love in May.
By Aiko Sato ·
Mundelein, Illinois. The village board’s session was interrupted for the second time in one week on Thursday afternoon. Protesters gathered in the room as officials attempted to begin their regular business. The demonstration centered on the death of Mary Alice Love, who was shot by a Mundelein police officer in May.
The family of the deceased woman has demanded that the officer involved be fired. They also want changes to how the department handles calls involving people in mental health crises. Tensions rose as the father of Love, Johnny Love, and other supporters stood near the front of the room. Police officers positioned themselves between the crowd and the board members to manage the space.
The protests have grown since the Lake County State's Attorney's Office announced last week that no criminal charges would be filed against the officer. The department stated that bodycam video from May shows Love approaching an officer while holding two large knives. Police said a relative called 911 to report that Love was suicidal.
Johnny Love said the family has been clear in its requests. "We didn’t ask them for anything other than fire the officer, change their policies and re-train their officers, (but) so far it’s fallen on deaf ears," he said. His wife, Jeffry Love, added that the family would continue fighting for change and justice.
Kevin O’Connor, the family’s attorney, warned the board at the previous meeting that frustration was building. "This family has been peaceful, I’ve warned you at the last meeting a storm is coming that storm is coming because people are frustrated," O’Connor said. Vuyani Wakaba, Love’s brother-in-law, told the crowd that the family would not stop their efforts.
The group had protested for nearly two hours on Monday, which forced the board to cancel that session and move it to Thursday. The village arranged for enhanced security for the second attempt. Board members called for a recess on Thursday before resuming their meeting. Love’s family plans to attend every scheduled meeting until the officer is removed from the force.
The family has filed a federal lawsuit alleging wrongful death, excessive force, and failed training. They are also waiting for the police department to finish its administrative investigation into whether the officer followed policy. The police department did not respond to a formal request for comment, and the police chief declined an on-camera interview at the meeting.
