Chicago employee accused of threatening Republican IL sen. ordered detained, pleads not guilty

STEPHENSON COUNTY, Ill. (WLS) -- A 59-year-old city of Chicago employee accused of threatening a state senator was ordered to be held in custody Wednesday.

Joseph Haggerty appeared in court in Stephenson County, Illinois.

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He pleaded not guilty, and was ordered detained, pending trial.

Haggerty, a Chicago plumbing inspector, was arrested Tuesday and charged with threatening a public official, Illinois State Police said.

On Sept. 2, Sen. Andrew Chesney, a Republican of Freeport contacted state police regarding threats he received from Haggerty, police said.

Chesney's office said Haggerty sent two emails threatening to harm the lawmaker.

The threatening messages were sent to Chesney's government email address the same day he participated in a press conference that focused on illegal immigration and President Donald Trump's proposal to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, Chesney's office said.

The press conference was on the Tuesday after a violent Labor Day weekend.

Gov. JB Pritzker said federal troops were not necessary, and Chesney on ABC7 Chicago criticized Pritzker for policies he said favor criminals over victims.

Later that day, Chesney allegedly received a pair of back-to-back obscenity-laced emails from a Haggerty, threatening serious bodily harm.

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In one email, Haggerty allegedly wrote, "I would love to meet you on the street anywhere I would cave your (expletive) teeth in and make you sip your food through a straw for the rest of you (expletive) coward life. coward."

Haggerty lives in a flag-flying home in Portage Park, according to records.

He allegedly Googled Chesney and his email address, and sent the threats from his personal Gmail account.

State police questioned Haggerty over the phone on Sept. 16, and in his summary report the special agent wrote, "Haggerty admitted to being angry a lot lately, especially about politics, and that he believed it was likely his anger that got the best of him, resulting in an email to Chesney. ... He definitely remembered that he did not intend to hurt anyone. ... Haggerty was remorseful for his email and wished to apologize."

"I would, I would fully expect that the mayor and his office would take a decisive action to remove this person from that position of authority and off the rolls as a Chicago employee," Chesney said.

On Monday, the Stephenson County State's Attorney's Office issued an arrest warrant.

Haggerty turned himself in to state police in Chicago Tuesday.

He was taken to Stephenson County, where he remains in custody.

"I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations for their professionalism, diligence, and swift action throughout this case," Chesney said. "Their commitment to public safety is exemplary, and I am grateful to know that Mr. Haggerty will be held accountable for these felony crimes. It is deeply troubling that an inspector for the City of Chicago issued violent threats against a sitting public official, and such conduct must be met with the seriousness it deserves."

The Chicago Buildings Department has not received formal notice of Haggerty's arrest, but a spokeswoman said the city condemns violence or intimidation, and expects all employees to act with respect regardless of political affiliation or background.