The Real Scandal: Dan Stevens’ Smear Campaign Against a Disabled Veteran

May 15, 2025

In a rare and disgraceful pivot, Dan Stevens — known in some circles as Freeport’s very own “trailer park Rush Limbaugh” — has taken the front page of Village Voices this week not to stir his usual pot of veiled racism and political gossip, but to launch a direct and unapologetic attack on a disabled American veteran.

This week’s cover story by Stevens, a longtime Republican cheerleader masquerading as a journalist, targeted none other than 2nd Ward Alderman James Monroe — a United States Air Force veteran, a lifelong Republican, and a four-year public servant in Freeport’s City Council.

Yes, that James Monroe: the man who voted against Mayor Jodi Miller’s empty promise of a 1% sales tax increase to fix roads that remain untouched well into the 2025 construction season. The man who’s openly called out the dysfunction, disregard for law, and growing whiff of corruption infecting the Miller administration. The same man who stood alone — even against members of his own party — to demand transparency, accountability, and a return to proper procedure at City Hall.

So why now?
Why has Dan Stevens — someone who’s had no problem carrying water for the local Republican establishment for years — suddenly found a problem with Monroe’s tax status? Why wasn’t this alleged “issue” raised during any of Monroe’s previous campaign? Why has it only become relevant now, as Monroe prepares to leave office and hand his seat to newly elected Alderwoman-Elect Linda Johnson?

Because this isn’t journalism. It’s a political hit job.

Let’s be clear: under Illinois state law, disabled veterans like James Monroe are exempt from paying property taxes. It’s not a loophole. It’s not a gift. It’s a recognition of sacrifice. Yet in his article, Stevens — with full support from Freeport’s political elite — attempts to twist that lawful exemption into a scandal, using language and tone that disrespects not only Monroe, but every disabled veteran in our community.

Quoting County Assessor Lori Dieterman, Stevens claims that “the legislature used improper wording when they made the law.” Improper wording? That’s not journalism — that’s an opinion. And an ignorant one at that. The law is the law, and Stevens’ failure to distinguish between legal fact and political spin only confirms what many have known for years: Village Voices is less a news outlet than a weekly soapbox for insiders with an agenda.

This was retaliation, plain and simple. A coordinated effort to damage the credibility of a man who dared to ask questions, push back, and stand alone when it mattered most. The same man who refused to rubber-stamp Mayor Miller’s broken promises and has long pointed to the quiet favoritism and fiscal sleight-of-hand that dominates Freeport’s political scene.

And that’s where the real scandal lies.
Because while Stevens and his allies zero in on a disabled veteran’s legal exemption, they conveniently ignore the millions of dollars in tax savings enjoyed by well-connected players like former Senator Brian Stewart — breaks handed out by a Stephenson County Board of Review tailor-made to protect the elite while the rest of us pick up the slack.

So we ask: in what world is a disabled veteran the villain, and not the political machine that has siphoned public funds, rewarded friends, and turned a blind eye to suffering neighborhoods and crumbling infrastructure?

Shame on Dan Stevens.
Shame on Village Voices.
Shame on the County Board.
And shame on Senator Andrew Chesney and Mayor Jodi Miller for propping up this tabloid trash while dishonoring a man who served his country with honor.

If Freeport wants to talk about accountability — let’s start there. And let’s never confuse the noise of political spin with the voice of truth.

A Call to Action: Defend Those Who Served

Fighting4Freeport calls on every veteran, every military family, and every citizen who values integrity to speak up. If you believe our community should never tolerate the public shaming of disabled veterans for political gain, then now is the time to act.

Contact your Alderperson.
Call Freeport City Hall.
Reach out to the Stephenson County Board.

Tell them you will not support continued advertising, public notices, or announcements in Village Voices as long as it continues to be used as a tool to attack those who have honorably served this country. Silence is complicity. Let your voice be heard loud and clear: Freeport stands with its veterans — not against them.

Fighting4Freeport stands with Alderman James Monroe and all disabled veterans who have earned their rights through service and sacrifice. We will not stay silent while those who served are smeared to protect those who’ve only served themselves.