UPDATE: City of Chicago employee arrested after allegedly making threats to state lawmaker

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Joseph Haggerty Photo: Contributed, Shutterstock/Stephenson County Jail

UPDATED: 3:10 P.M.

Freeport, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – After allegedly sending two emails, threatening physical harm to State Senator Andrew Chesney, Joseph Haggerty — an inspector for the City of Chicago — was arrested Tuesday and charged with two felony counts of threatening a public official.

The alleged messages were sent to Chesney’s government email address on the same day he participated in a press conference that focused on illegal immigration as well as President Donald Trump’s proposal to deploy the National Guard to Chicago.

Senator Chesney stated in a press release, “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. 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.”

Haggerty was taken into custody in Chicago and transported to Stephenson County.

According to online court records, Haggerty made an initial court appearance Wednesday, where a judge granted the prosecution’s motion to keep Haggerty detained in Stephenson County. A hearing on a motion to reconsider the detention will be held Monday at 1:00 p.m.

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