Alderman Amadio Accused of Breaking Co-worker's Thumb

A Chicago Heights alderman yelled obscenities and caused "excruciating pain" to a co-worker during a work argument in February, according to reports released Tuesday.

, is charged with misdemeanor battery, according to reports obtained by Chicago Heights Patch. He is accused of breaking the thumb of a District 170 employee with whom he had a dispute.

Amadio, who is a maintenance worker in District 170, was elected to office in April 2011 and is a member of the Chicago Heights Unity Party. The party includes other city aldermen and Mayor David Gonzalez.

Gonzalez's office released a statement about Amadio, saying the city does not discuss "pending litigation that involves city personnel."

“Nevertheless, this incident in no way reflects on Alderman Amadio’s integrity or service on the Chicago Heights City Council, which has been exemplary," Gonzalez's statement continues. "On the council, Alderman (Amadio) has faithfully and diligently served his constituents and the taxpayers of Chicago Heights.”

A message left with Amadio's city voicemail was not returned Tuesday night.

Amadio had turned himself into police on March 19.

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The original Chicago Heights police report, dated Feb. 21, states that the alleged victim's thumb broke after it was bent backward. The injured man declined to sign a complaint against Amadio at that time and asked that the incident not be investigated.

Amadio used "graphic, offensive and violent language" while yelling at a co-worker on Feb. 21 in a District 170 warehouse, according to an District 170 accident report signed by Amadio.

Amadio was asked to make sure plows were installed on district trucks. One worker, who was occupied with pouring hydraulic fluid into one of the plows, didn't immediately comply with Amadio's request.

Amadio rushed toward the co-worker, continuing to use offensive language, and grabbed the hydraulic fluid container, according to the accident report.

"I'll make you let go," Amadio said, according to the accident report. He then grabbed the victim's thumb and bent it completely back, causing "excruciating pain" for the victim.

An examination at St. James Health Center determined the victim's thumb had been fractured, according to the accident report.

When asked about the Feb. 21 incident, District 170 Superintendent Thomas Amadio told Patch the district cannot comment on personnel issues and ongoing investigations. (Superintendent Amadio and Alderman Amadio are related.)

The alleged victim spoke again with police on Feb. 28, seven days after the argument, according to the police report. He told an officer he wanted to obtain a copy of the police records and to "change the narrative" of the original police report. Police asked him to return with medical records.

Amadio was interviewed a second time about the incident by Chicago Heights police on March 1, according to the police report.

On March 7, the alleged victim spoke with Chicago Heights police again and asked to have Amadio arrested, according to the police report. Police told him that there was "no evidence the injury was intentional," based on witness accounts and the victim's own initial testimony.

Almost two weeks later, on March 19, the victim signed a complaint against Amadio for misdemeanor battery.

Amadio is due at 9 a.m. on April 17 in room 205 of the Markham courthouse.

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