West Cook News

The Village of Western Springs is refusing to release the police report of two alleged race-related beatings at Lyons Township High School South Campus. 

West Cook News is appealing the ruling with the Illinois attorney general.

“Your request is denied pursuant to Section 7.5(bb) of FOIA as this information is prohibited from disclosure under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 requires that any and all law enforcement records where juveniles are investigated, arrested and/or charged must be withheld in their entirety,” the denial reads. “Assistant Village Attorney Mallory Milluzzi was responsible for this denial.” 

The announcement that Western Springs would not release the police report for this comes after Western Springs first delayed the FOIA response, according to West Cook News.

The Western Springs Police Department has been slammed for its delayed investigation. Student Heavyn Washington was allowed to continue to roam the halls five days after the pre-meditated attack was filmed before she was arrested and charged. She faces a Class A misdemeanor battery charge. Police did not question the victim's father, who is a police officer, after the incident, he added, West Cook News reported.

The victim’s family hired attorney Andrew Stroth to represent them in the case. 

“Where we are today is we are just asking for a full investigation by the Western Springs Police,” Stroth said on AM560’s Chicago’s Morning Answer radio program nearly two weeks after the attack took place. “The police department did contact me, their attorney, but just a few days ago was the first time the family — the father and the young lady — were interviewed. We were surprised that the family was not made aware of the criminal charges prior to them hitting the media, especially social media. And we just want to find out the truth. And it's our perspective that the administration was aware.”

The beating was arranged to be filmed on tape by Washington and her 14-year-old Countryside accomplice. Washington approached the smaller victim unannounced and hit her in the face several times before grabbing her hair and dragging her across the floor, as seen on the accomplice's video footage. "Beat her a**, racist a** b****, yes!" the accomplice yelled. "Beat her a** Heavyn, beat her a** h**,” the accomplice yelled as he filmed the beating.