“Monkey” case begins

The court case began this morning involving Linda Ramirez-Sliwinski. Police issued a $75 citation in March for disorderly conduct after allegedly telling some neighbor kids playing in a tree to “stop playing in the tree like monkeys”. The complainant in the case, and the kids, are black and reported being “alarmed and disturbed” at the language used by Ms. Ramirez-Sliwinski; language alleged to be a racial epithet. Sliwinski and the neighbors have since reconciled the matter privately, but the citation is still being prosecuted by the Village.

Ramirez-Sliwinski has retained an attorney, Gabe Fuentes, from the Chicago law firm of Jenner & Block to represent her in the case. Fuentes informed judge Susan Clancy-Boles of his intent to file a Motion to Dismiss. The Judge set a May 28 due date for the Motion, and then the Village will have 30 days to respond.

A court date of July 23, 10am was set, and the judge will rule on the Motion at that time.

For more additional info and commentary, visit Woodstock Advocate: C’ville Monkey Case, Round 1.