The Name We've Been Waiting to Tell You
Holy Kisses Special Investigation
August 1, 2026 | Freeport, IL
Presented by Alex Mercer
Lead Investigative Correspondent | F4F NEWS
Investigative Reporting, Editing & Publication
Joshua T. Atkinson
Chairman | Fighting4Freeport
For more than a month, one question has followed Fighting4Freeport.
"Who or what is ‘Holy Kisses’ about?"
Today, we can finally answer.
The focus of our Holy Kisses Special Investigation is Stephen G. Cassell.
Steve Cassell is known throughout northwest Illinois as a pastor associated with Beloved Church in Lena. Public records also identify him as a director of the Academy of Readiness and Character (ARC), a private Christian school in Stockton. Through those roles, Cassell has also developed public associations with conservative political figures, including Illinois State Senate Republican nominee Andrew Chesney and Illinois Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey.
For weeks, Fighting4Freeport remained silent while rumors spread throughout the community. We were not waiting for a better headline. We were waiting for documents, records, interviews, and evidence. We believed the families and the children who entrusted us with their stories deserved nothing less.
This investigation is the result of that work.
It Started With a Lawsuit
Every investigation has a beginning.
Ours began on May 28, 2026, when Stephen G. Cassell filed a civil defamation lawsuit against Laura Andrews in Jo Daviess County Circuit Court, seeking damages in excess of $50,000.
At first glance, it appeared to be another civil lawsuit. It wasn't.
The complaint immediately raised questions. Why had a pastor and Christian school director filed a lawsuit against a mother? What events led to the filing? And what wasn't being said publicly?
Those questions became the foundation of everything that followed.
A Familiar Name in Stephenson County
Cassell retained attorney Judd Thrumann.
That name carries significance far beyond this lawsuit.
After defeating fellow Republican Karla Niemann in the March primary election, Thrumann became the Republican nominee for Stephenson County Resident Circuit Judge. With no Democratic challenger on the November ballot, he is expected to become Stephenson County's next Circuit Judge.
Court records show Andrews, through her attorney Caitlin Cervenka, challenged the lawsuit by filing a motion to dismiss supported by legal memoranda and exhibits. Before the court ruled, Thrumann sought permission to withdraw from the case, advising the court that he was closing his law practice.
On July 27, 2026, the parties agreed to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice.
The litigation ended.
The questions did not. Our work had just begun.
Pulling the First Thread
Had the lawsuit ended there, Fighting4Freeport likely never would have investigated further.
Instead, we started pulling records. As the investigation expanded, families began coming forward.
Court filings led to corporate records. Corporate records led to nonprofit filings. Nonprofit filings led to Freedom of Information Act requests. Every document answered one question while raising another.
Then something happened we never expected.
People began contacting us. Not one. Not two. Multiple individuals independently reached out to Fighting4Freeport with information they believed the public deserved to know. Some provided documents. Some connected us with attorneys. Some simply asked that someone finally listen.
Those conversations changed the direction of this investigation forever.
The Institutions
As the investigation expanded, two organizations repeatedly appeared.
The first was The Academy of Readiness and Character (ARC), where public corporate records identify Stephen Cassell as serving in a leadership role within the nonprofit organization that operated the school. The school publicly described itself as developing "Tomorrow's Heroes" through Christ-centered education.
The second was Beloved Church in Lena, where Cassell served in a pastoral role.
During our review, another familiar name also surfaced.
Darren Bailey.
The Republican nominee for Governor of Illinois.
Publicly available promotional materials reflect Bailey's association with both the school and Pastor Steve Cassell. At this time, Fighting4Freeport has uncovered no evidence that Bailey is alleged to have participated in, had knowledge of, or been involved in the conduct that is the subject of this investigation. His inclusion is important because his publicly documented association with ARC and Pastor Steve Cassell provides relevant background for understanding the organizations and relationships examined in this investigation. Fighting4Freeport is not alleging that Bailey participated in, knew of, or is under investigation regarding the conduct discussed in this series.
Where the Investigation Stands
During this investigation, Fighting4Freeport has remained in communication with individuals who have made allegations involving Stephen G. Cassell. Based on our reporting and communications with those individuals, we have confirmed that reports concerning those allegations have been made to law enforcement.
As of the publication of this article, Stephen G. Cassell has not been charged with a criminal offense arising from the matters discussed in this investigation. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
That presumption is fundamental to our justice system. It is also fundamental to responsible journalism.
Why We Are Publishing
The easiest decision would have been to walk away when the lawsuit ended.
Instead, we kept asking questions. We kept requesting records. We kept reviewing documents. We kept listening to the children involved.
The result is the investigation you are beginning to read today and will continue to read until justice is served and the truth comes out.
This series is not intended to convict anyone in the court of public opinion. It is intended to document the public record, report verified facts, and ensure that the voices of those who came forward are not ignored simply because the allegations are difficult or uncomfortable.
Every fact we publish will be supported by records, documents, interviews, or other evidence we believe to be reliable. Where allegations exist, we will identify them as allegations. Where facts can be verified, we will verify them. And where questions remain unanswered, we will keep asking them.
Because some stories deserve more than a headline.
They deserve the truth.