North Chicago City Alderman Anthony D. Coleman, who is now facing felony charges for an August 2023 incident, is seen being sworn into office on May 1, 2023. | Photo: City of North Chicago

A North Chicago alderman is facing felony charges after prosecutors say he destroyed a surveillance video system at a water plant just months after being sworn into office.

North Chicago City Alderman Anthony D. Coleman was charged in Lake County Circuit Court with felony official misconduct and felony criminal damage to government-supported property.

Coleman is accused in a two-count indictment of knowingly damaging the surveillance video system at the North Chicago Water Treatment Plant on August 8.

An investigation by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Financial Crimes & Public Integrity Unit was conducted.

Investigators found that Coleman cut the wires to a video camera in the plant and removed the camera, according to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors said the camera was installed earlier in 2023 with the approval of the North Chicago City Council.

The City of North Chicago and the North Chicago Police Department referred the matter to Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office investigators to avoid a conflict of interest.

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“Coleman gained access to the water plant as a public official and destroyed an appropriate and legal camera system. This Defendant doesn’t get to overrule the City Council by destroying government property,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said after the charges were filed Wednesday.

The state’s attorney’s office declined to provide a potential motive for Coleman’s alleged actions.

Coleman was sworn into his position in May 2023 after being elected to office.

The case will be prosecuted by Chief Kevin Berrill and Assistant State’s Attorney Russell Caskey from the Financial Crimes & Public Integrity Unit of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.

When reached by phone Thursday, Coleman’s only comment on the matter was announcing that he will be running for mayor again in 2025.

Coleman is scheduled to appear in court for his initial hearing on April 4.

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He is the second elected official in Lake County to be charged with felonies on the same day.

Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly was also charged Wednesday with over a dozen felonies after prosecutors say she illegally provided credits to businesses applying for liquor and gambling licenses.