Man Charged With Slapping Councilman Larry Hug Pleads Guilty

Joliet, IL. – Mark Koenig, 46, a man charged in October with slapping Councilman Larry Hug at Double J Sports Bar at 1001 Essington Road in Joliet, has pled guilty to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge, according to the Joliet Patch.

As reported in October, the incident took place in March when both men, along with Will County Board member Annette Parker and her husband Brian, were standing outside of the sports bar’s smoking enclosure.

A video released by the Joliet Police Department captured the incident.

In the video, the men are having a conversation that Councilman Hug told The Herald-News, turned to discussion of the Joliet Rialto Theatre’s management.

In previous years, Hug has been critical of the theatre’s general manager, Randy Green.

Last December, Councilman Hug’s dissatisfaction with Green led him to suggest cutting the theatre’s $600,000 budget for 2016, according to the Joliet Patch.

“I’m done with the polished turd. The bottom line is you come before us; you don’t bring any hard numbers except back in 2012. […] I’m trying to balance a budget for every member of this city,” Hug remarked at a Joliet City Council meeting on December 14, 2015.

Although police reports requested by the Joliet Patch reportedly do not reveal the extent of the councilman’s comments, the video shows Koenig visibly angered by Hug’s remarks.

The video shows the men exchanging remarks back and forth until Koenig advances towards the councilman and appears to slap him across the face.

Koenig was escorted from the room by Brian Parker as blood dripped from Councilman Hug’s face.

According to The Herald-News, Koenig was not immediately charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct until October, when all witnesses had been interviewed.

Koenig’s plea means that he will face a $500 fine as well as six months of court supervision. He is also not allowed to have contact with the councilman.