Chief Frausto Complaint Heads to Ethics Commission Tonight—But Is It Even an Ethics Case?

Alderwoman Cecelia Stacy's complaint will be reviewed Tuesday evening, but Fighting4Freeport's review of the City's ordinance raises a fundamental question: Does the Ethics Commission have the authority to hear it at all?

FOR THE PEOPLE | BRIAN KELLER | F4F NEWS

July 28, 2026 | Freeport, IL

The City of Freeport's Ethics Commission will meet Tuesday evening to review a complaint filed by Fifth Ward Alderwoman Cecelia Stacy against Police Chief Jacquelyn Frausto.

While the meeting may appear to be the beginning of a formal ethics investigation, the Commission's first responsibility is much narrower.

Before commissioners can consider the merits of any complaint, they must first determine whether the complaint sufficiently alleges a violation of Chapter 218 of the Freeport City Code—the City's Officials and Employees Ethics Act—and, if so, whether probable cause exists to proceed.

That first question may ultimately become the most important issue before the Commission.

What Will Happen Tonight?

According to Tuesday's agenda, commissioners will:

• Determine a chairperson for the meeting.

• Review the complaint filed July 17, 2026, by Alderwoman Cecelia Stacy against Police Chief Jacquelyn Frausto.

• Determine whether the complaint sufficiently alleges a violation of Chapter 218.

• Determine whether probable cause exists to proceed if the complaint is legally sufficient.

• Schedule a future hearing if necessary.

Contrary to what some residents may believe, tonight is not a hearing to determine whether Police Chief Frausto acted appropriately.

Instead, commissioners must first determine whether the allegations fall within the Ethics Commission's legal authority.

What Is the Ethics Commission?

The Ethics Commission was created under Chapter 218 of the Freeport City Code.

It consists of five members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council. Their responsibility is not to investigate every complaint involving City officials, but only those alleging violations of the City's ethics ordinance.

The ordinance specifically limits the Commission's authority:

"The powers and duties of the Commission are limited to matters clearly within the purview of this chapter."

That limitation matters.

What Does Chapter 218 Actually Cover?

After reviewing Chapter 218, Fighting4Freeport found that the ordinance is much narrower than many residents may assume.

The chapter primarily governs:

• prohibited political activities by City officials and employees,

• restrictions on gifts from prohibited sources,

• the appointment of an Ethics Advisor,

• procedures for investigating alleged violations of those provisions.

It is not a general code governing workplace conduct, professionalism, interpersonal disputes, or disagreements between public officials.

How Did We Get Here?

Although the complaint itself has not yet been publicly discussed, it is widely believed to stem from the June 1, 2026, City Council meeting.

That evening, First Ward Alderperson Tom Klemm and Alderperson-at-Large Joy Sellers introduced Resolution R-2026-81 seeking to formally censure Alderwoman Cecelia Stacy.

According to the resolution's supporting memorandum, Stacy allegedly criticized a police officer during a Fifth Ward Neighborhood Watch meeting, presented inaccurate information regarding Police Department activities, made unsupported allegations, and continued what the sponsors described as a pattern of inappropriate conduct.

During Council discussion, Alderperson Klemm said Officer Miguel had received "quite a bit of criticism" and "wasn't respected as he should have been."

Alderperson Sellers later stated that Officer Miguel described to residents "some of the things that hurt his feelings" during another Neighborhood Watch meeting.

Police Chief Jacquelyn Frausto then delivered an extended statement to the City Council describing her own interactions with Alderwoman Stacy and making numerous allegations regarding conversations between the two following the Neighborhood Watch meeting.

Before Council considered the censure resolution, however, multiple Fifth Ward residents who attended the Neighborhood Watch meeting addressed the Council and disputed those claims.

The differing accounts have remained at the center of the controversy ever since.

Fighting4Freeport Analysis

After reviewing Chapter 218 of the Freeport City Code, Fighting4Freeport does not expect the complaint against Police Chief Jacquelyn Frausto to proceed under the City's Ethics Ordinance.

That conclusion is not based on whether Chief Frausto's conduct was appropriate or inappropriate.

Rather, it is based on the apparent scope of the ordinance itself.

Based on the information currently available to the public, the allegations appear to concern statements made by public officials, professional conduct, and workplace interactions. While those issues may warrant review through other City processes, Fighting4Freeport's review of Chapter 218 does not indicate that they are the types of conduct the Ethics Commission was created to investigate.

The Commission's responsibility is limited to alleged violations contained within Chapter 218—not every dispute involving City officials.

If the publicly known facts accurately reflect the substance of the complaint, this matter may be more appropriately addressed through the City's administrative complaint process, allowing the City Manager and City Attorney to investigate under applicable personnel policies and City procedures.

Ultimately, however, that determination rests with the Ethics Commission after reviewing the complaint filed by Alderwoman Stacy.

Why Tonight Matters

Regardless of whether the complaint moves forward, Tuesday night's meeting is likely to answer an important question for both City officials and the public:

Where does the Ethics Commission's authority begin—and where does it end?

If commissioners determine the complaint does not sufficiently allege a violation of Chapter 218, the decision would not necessarily resolve the underlying dispute between Alderwoman Stacy and Police Chief Frausto. Instead, it would simply recognize that the allegations fall outside the jurisdiction of the City's Ethics Ordinance.

That distinction may prove just as significant as the complaint itself.