Did a Failed Firefighter Exam Launch a Local Dynasty? Freeport Taxpayers Deserve Answers

FREEPORT, IL – July 3, 2025

More than two decades ago, current Deputy Fire Chief Scott Stykel and three other firefighter applicants – Curt Lamm, John Heilman, and Tave Kraft – sued the City of Freeport after they each received zero scores on their entrance exams, making them ineligible for hire.

The lawsuit, Stykel v. City of Freeport (2001), alleged civil rights violations under the federal Civil Rights Act and demanded declaratory judgments and damages. The Illinois Appellate Court ruled that their civil rights claims could proceed, recognizing constitutional violations are not preempted by state administrative law.

Was There a Secret Settlement?

In June 2025, a FOIA request asked the city to release:

  • Any settlement agreements or payments made to Scott Stykel, Curt Lamm, John Heilman, and Tave Kraft.

  • A copy of the original complaint detailing their alleged civil rights violations.

The city responded on June 10, 2025, stating:

“Closed Session minutes were located but are exempt under the Open Meetings Act. No other files or settlement records were found. Any potential documents were likely destroyed under records retention protocol.”

This response leaves taxpayers wondering:

  • Was there a settlement paid to Stykel, Lamm, Heilman, and Kraft?

  • How much taxpayer money was spent? Thousands? Millions?

  • Is this why Freeport is financially struggling today?

Building a Family Empire Off Tax Dollars?

Today, Scott Stykel serves as Deputy Fire Chief. His brother, Darin Stykel, is employed by Fehr-Graham, a powerful regional engineering firm, and was suspiciously assigned to serve as Freeport’s Public Works Director under the city’s contract with Fehr-Graham. This arrangement has raised serious concerns:

  • Darin Stykel is not a direct city employee, allowing city leadership to dodge responsibility for his actions.

  • When residents have filed complaints about his harassing, intimidating, and dishonest behavior, the city’s answer has consistently been:

    “He’s not actually a member of city staff.”

Why such hostility towards residents asking questions? Is this an attempt to keep family secrets buried while dodging accountability?

Fehr-Graham’s Influence and Public Dollars

Fehr-Graham has secured a near-monopoly on public works contracts across Northwestern Illinois. Under Darin Stykel’s leadership as Public Works Director, Freeport has endured costly “work and rework” projects, draining taxpayer funds while roads crumble, sewers collapse, and infrastructure continues to fail.

Many residents now ask:

  • Is it coincidence that the Stykel family wields such influence across departments and firms benefiting from public contracts?

  • Did the Stykel Trust’s charitable donations to fire departments originate from a taxpayer-funded settlement to Scott Stykel, Curt Lamm, John Heilman, and Tave Kraft?

  • Has taxpayer money been used to build private family wealth while citizens are left with rising taxes and failing infrastructure?

Legitimate Lawsuit or Local Power Play?

Freeport taxpayers deserve to know:

  • Did four applicants sue after failing their exams simply to cash in?

  • Was this lawsuit the beginning of a local dynasty built off taxpayer dollars?

  • Is this why MAGA-aligned city leadership keeps raising taxes while our infrastructure rots?

Enough Secrecy

Closed session minutes remain classified over 20 years later. Settlement records are nowhere to be found. The city claims documents were destroyed, yet Freeport residents continue to struggle under rising taxes and crumbling streets.

Was the lawsuit filed by Scott Stykel, Curt Lamm, John Heilman, and Tave Kraft the reason Freeport is broke today? Has this family leveraged public funds and public contracts to secure positions of power, influence, and wealth while everyday citizens pay the price?

Fighting4Freeport will continue to investigate until the truth is exposed and Freeport taxpayers get the transparency and accountability they deserve.

—Brought to you and Paid for by Fighting4Freeport