DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly announced today that an Aurora man has been charged with leaving a threatening voicemail message for Governor JB Pritzker. Steven Woletz, 46 (d.o.b. 4/27/1977) of the 100 block of Jason Court, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Joshua Dieden set bond at $100,000 with 10% to apply. Woletz is charged with one count of Threatening a Public Official, a Class 3 Felony.
It is alleged that on April 15, 2023, Woletz called the Governor’s Office of Constituent Affairs and left a threatening message directed at Governor Pritzker. It is further alleged that some of the comments left by Woletz included: “F*** you and your f***ing mother” and “I’m going to F***ing kill you, you f***ing silly f***ing a**hole.” Through the course of their investigation, authorities identified Woletz as the individual who allegedly left the threatening voice message. Troopers with the Illinois State Police took Woletz into custody yesterday afternoon without incident. Woletz posted the necessary 10%, or $10,000, earlier today and was released from custody.
“For government to function properly, public officials must be allowed to perform their jobs without having to worry about retribution or fear for their personal safety,” Berlin said. “My office stands ready to prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, anyone who threatens a public official, their staff or their family. I thank the Illinois State Police for their outstanding work on this case. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Alyssa Rabulinski and Michael Pingaj for their efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Woletz.”
“The Illinois State Police take threats against all public officials and the safety of the democratic process very seriously,” said ISP Director Brendan Kelly. “Being in public service does not give permission to anyone to threaten the lives of public officials or their family.”
Woletz’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 22, 2023, for arraignment in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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