815 Media Network

09/09/2026

🚨 BREAKING — 815 INVESTIGATES 🚨

ARDC COMPLAINT ALLEGES FORMER O’DEKIRK LAW PARTNER USED MORE THAN $348,000 IN LAW FIRM FUNDS FOR PERSONAL EXPENSES

815 Media Network has obtained a newly filed disciplinary complaint from the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission containing serious allegations against Wilmington attorney Leslie Joy Allred, former managing partner and co-owner of the law firm formerly known as O’Dekirk, Allred & Rhodes, LLC.

According to the ARDC complaint, Allred allegedly used at least $348,056.30 in law firm funds for personal expenses without the knowledge or permission of her law partners.

Allred co-owned the firm with former Joliet Mayor Robert “Bob” O’Dekirk beginning in 2015. Attorney Thomas Rhodes subsequently became a partner in 2021.

According to the complaint, Allred served as the firm's managing partner from 2015 until February 2025 and was responsible for managing the firm's operating account and paying its expenses.

The ARDC alleges that between 2019 and 2025, Allred charged more than $170,000 in personal expenses to a law firm credit card.

Among the personal expenses identified in the ARDC complaint are:

🔹 Disney World vacations
🔹 Cruises
🔹 Luxury hotels
🔹 Florida vacations
🔹 Liquor
🔹 Axe throwing
🔹 Furniture
🔹 Limousine service
🔹 Sporting events
🔹 Cash withdrawals

The allegations don't stop there.

According to the complaint, Allred also allegedly used law firm funds to make at least $79,918.36 in payments to the IRS toward her personal federal income taxes.

The ARDC further alleges that more than $15,000 in firm funds was used to make payments to Allred's personal PNC Bank credit account.

In total, the disciplinary complaint alleges Allred used at least $348,056.30 belonging to the law firm for personal purposes.

According to the ARDC, as of August 18, 2026, none of the funds had been repaid to the law firm.

The complaint charges Allred with professional misconduct, including conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and identifies the matter as 2026PR00059.

⚖️ These are allegations contained in an ARDC disciplinary complaint. The complaint is not a criminal conviction or a final disciplinary determination, and Allred has the opportunity to respond to the allegations through the disciplinary process.

815 Media Network reached out to former Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk for comment regarding the allegations contained in the complaint. O’Dekirk was in court at the time of our request, and we are awaiting his response. We will update this report when we hear back.

815 Media Network was unable to reach Allred for comment prior to publication because we were unable to locate current contact information for her. We welcome a response from Allred or her counsel and will include it in our continuing coverage.

This is a developing story.

815 Media Network will continue reviewing the ARDC filing and will provide updates as additional information becomes available.

📍 815 INVESTIGATES | 815 MEDIA NETWORK

09/09/2026

We have more breaking legal news coming tomorrow. I've tried to explain to these establishment goons this aint what the'yre looking for. They think this is some kind of high stakes game. So, ok, we'll play along, but when the gavel drops. Don't be on the wrong side of it. You have a lot to lose. Keep that in mind. You're on notice. Ill break the news live here. Maybe even from the courthouse 🤷‍♂️

Think of this is as JV vs The Establishment part 6,346,789.

09/09/2026

We were asked to comment today on the recently dismissed defamation lawsuit. I think if the Plaintiffs had to actually pay for a lawyer, they would re-think things. But, they WILL pay our attorneys. I guess its easy to find a free lawyer that's only been in the business a few years and already has had his license suspended. Yikes. 🤷‍♂️

Judge Brian Barrett awarded $16,500 in attorney fees to Raj Pillai, Christina Neitzke-Troike, Justin Virgin and Danny Souri.

09/08/2026

Joliet News reporting a child has been hit by a school bus and subsequently airlifted due to the injuries sustained.

🚨BREAKING NEWS –FRANKFORT STUDENT HIT BY SCHOOL BUS —

We are receiving reports that a Grand Prairie Elementary School student age 6 years old was struck by a school bus in Frankfort.

The child was reportedly transported to Olympia Fields hospital.

Please keep the child and their family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 🙏

09/07/2026

Do you enjoy the NFL?? Join Adam and Terry while they talk about the games this season!!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/25TH99JRMO9eASJqvneHlH?si=Y-oVUnxOSkevgFjx4Pq28w

09/06/2026

🚨 815 INVESTIGATES: MORE FLOCK VIOLATIONS — MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT JPD TRANSPARENCY🚨

Last week, 815 Investigates received information concerning a Joliet Police Department public safety dispatcher and possible misuse of the Flock license plate reader system.

We did what responsible journalists are supposed to do.

We went directly to JPD and asked questions.

At the time, information provided by our sources had not been independently confirmed by the department. We gave JPD an opportunity to confirm it, deny it or provide context.

Those answers were not provided to us.

Now, JPD has acknowledged that two employees — a sworn police officer and a public safety dispatcher — have been placed on paid administrative leave following alleged violations involving Flock technology.

The matter has been referred to the City of Joliet Inspector General and Illinois State Police for independent review, and JPD has announced department-wide audits of its use of Flock.

SO WHY WEREN'T THESE ANSWERS PROVIDED WHEN WE ASKED?

We want to briefly make one thing clear regarding WJOL, which reported the latest development: we have nothing but respect for Scott Slocum and his reporting. In fact, I interned with Scott at WJOL while working in radio in 2000 and covered the Bush-Gore election alongside him. That experience helped inspire me to pursue news someday — I just didn't know then that it would eventually look like 815 Media Network.

WJOL isn't the issue here. JPD's transparency is.

And that's an important distinction because concerns about transparency and accountability within the Joliet Police Department aren't something 815 Investigates created.

Following a three-year investigation, the Illinois Attorney General's Office released its findings concerning JPD in December 2024.

Among the findings:

“Internal Affairs also lacks transparency in its investigations.”

Those aren't our words.

Those are the words of the Illinois Attorney General's Office.

JPD has maintained that substantial reforms have since been implemented involving accountability, oversight and transparency.

So we think it's fair to ask:

IF TRANSPARENCY HAS IMPROVED, WHAT HAPPENED HERE?

We had information involving a dispatcher and Flock.

We asked JPD about it.

We gave the department an opportunity to respond.

We didn't get the answers.

Days later, JPD acknowledged that a public safety dispatcher was among two employees placed on leave following alleged Flock violations.

For accuracy, 815 Investigates is not claiming we have independently established that the dispatcher referenced by our sources is the same dispatcher involved in JPD's latest announcement.

But the chronology matters.

We had information.
We asked questions.
We didn't get answers.
Days later, JPD acknowledged another Flock investigation involving a dispatcher.

THAT DESERVES AN EXPLANATION.

Especially because this is no longer one isolated Flock controversy.

We've watched allegations, investigations and policy concerns involving this technology continue to surface across our region. Joliet Township has already moved to remove Flock cameras from Road District property.

And within JPD itself, these latest two employees come amid an already existing controversy involving Lt. Jeremy Harrison, whose alleged Flock use led Chief Bill Evans to seek his termination. Harrison has disputed allegations that his use of the system was improper.

At some point, the conversation has to become bigger than the actions of individual employees.

IS THE OVERSIGHT SYSTEM ACTUALLY WORKING?

Flock can be an incredibly valuable law-enforcement tool.

But technology capable of tracking vehicles throughout our communities also carries tremendous responsibility.

Who has access?

What constitutes a legitimate search?

Who audits those searches?

How quickly is misuse detected?

And perhaps most importantly:

HOW TRANSPARENT IS THE GOVERNMENT WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG?

Those aren't anti-police questions.

They're accountability questions.

And they're particularly important when the Illinois Attorney General has already documented concerns surrounding transparency within JPD's accountability systems.

815 Investigates will continue seeking answers.

If JPD responds, we'll report it.

If they don't, we'll report that too.

Because transparency isn't a press release.

TRANSPARENCY IS A PRACTICE.

815 INVESTIGATES | 815 MEDIA NETWORK

09/06/2026

09/04/2026

🚨 A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE 815 🚨

THE NAME IS CHANGING. THE MISSION ISN’T.

What started as The 815 Has Problems has grown into something much bigger than we ever imagined.

It became breaking news.

It became investigations and public records.

It became interviews, podcasts and live coverage.

Most importantly, it became a community of people who believe local journalism should ask questions, demand accountability and tell the stories that matter to the people who actually live here.

Today, we're taking the next step.

The 815 Has Problems is becoming:

📰 815 MEDIA NETWORK

This isn't us walking away from where we started.

It's us building on it.

815 Media Network will be the home for local news, investigative reporting, community stories, podcasts, public affairs, sports and multimedia coverage throughout the communities we serve.

Our new name gives us room to grow.

Our standards don't change.

Our independence doesn't change.

And our commitment to this community absolutely doesn't change.

You'll still see us asking the uncomfortable questions.

You'll still see us digging through public records.

You'll still see us showing up when something happens.

You'll still see us highlighting the incredible people doing good things throughout our communities.

And you'll still see something that's been part of this page from the beginning:



Because that isn't just a hashtag.

It's a promise.

Welcome to the next chapter.

815 MEDIA NETWORK

Local News. Independent Journalism. Community First.

The name is changing. The mission isn't.

09/03/2026

🕊️ JOLIET MOURNS THE LOSS OF A COMMUNITY ICON: JOHN SHERIDAN

Today, Joliet lost a voice that will be impossible to replace.

For years, John Sheridan was a fixture in this community — an outspoken neighborhood advocate, a watchdog for local government, a mentor, a friend, and someone who was never afraid to stand at a microphone and say what he believed needed to be said.

You didn't always have to agree with John.

In fact, he probably preferred it when you didn't.

But you always knew where he stood.

John fought fiercely for the Cunningham Neighborhood, but his advocacy extended far beyond the boundaries of his own neighborhood. He pushed for transparency, responsible development, term limits, accountability and, above all else, a better Joliet.

Tonight, elected officials, community leaders, neighborhood advocates and friends are remembering the man behind that advocacy.

Mayor Terry D'Arcy:

“John is going to be sorely missed. He was a great resource for the City of Joliet and a great friend. John truly loved the City of Joliet. We lost a great friend.”

Councilman Joe Clement:

“You always knew where you stood with John on the issues. Whatever the topic, he was open to debate, and he would hold people accountable.

We worked together back in the day on everything pertaining to the Cunningham neighborhood. We communicated on liquor licenses, housing issues, and other neighborhood concerns. He’ll be missed as a strong advocate for his neighborhood.

John and I spoke about term limits many times, and I believe that issue is still alive.

John and I had put our past differences in the rearview mirror, and I hope he’s now at peace. I’d like to offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends.”

Brian Bessler:

“John was an incredible and irreplaceable advocate, not only for Joliet’s Cunningham Neighborhood, but for the City of Joliet as a whole. He advocated strongly for transparency, responsible growth, and common sense within our city.

I’m thankful for his conversations, guidance, and advice over the years. He will be missed.”

Sara Stovall:

“If John felt someone was being treated unjustly, he wasn’t afraid to speak up and stand beside them. He was always quick to offer encouragement, share his knowledge, or lend a helping hand when someone needed it.”

Candace Johnson:

“John, your love for our neighbors and your dedication to making our community better left an impact that will live on. Thank you for always believing in us, even when we didn’t believe in ourselves. I’ll forever treasure our friendship and miss you dearly, my friend. 🧡”

Those words tell the story of John Sheridan better than any title ever could.

He could challenge you at City Hall one night and offer you encouragement the next. He believed ordinary residents deserved a voice in what happened in their neighborhoods, and he wasn't afraid to make sure that voice was heard.

For me, however, today's loss is deeply personal.

“Today, I lost not only one of my closest friends, but also a great mentor.

John’s legacy is important, and it deserves to be preserved as an example of what true community leadership looks like. For that reason, I intend to appear before the Joliet City Council and ask the City of Joliet to establish the John Sheridan Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Excellence and Leadership.

We owe John this one.

I promise to carry the torch he lit.

Fins Up, my friend. 🦈”

— Justin Virgin, Founder, 815 Media Group

And anyone who truly knew John knows exactly why those final two words matter.

John was a HUGE Jimmy Buffett fan. Whether he was talking about government, neighborhoods, politics or the community he loved, there was one familiar way John liked to leave people:

Fins Up.

Tonight, we'll return the favor.

Thank you for the arguments.

Thank you for the advice.

Thank you for standing up.

Thank you for caring enough to make some noise.

And most importantly, thank you for loving Joliet.

Rest easy, John Sheridan.

Your chair may be empty, but the example you left behind isn't going anywhere.

Fins Up, John. 🦈🌴

— The 815 Has Problems / 815 Media Group