Warnings Ignored. Abuse Enabled.
How Fehr Graham’s Darin Stykel Runs — and Abuses — Freeport Without Being Elected
FREEPORT, IL – July 15, 2025
He’s not elected. He’s not even on the city payroll. Yet Darin Stykel, a senior staff member at engineering firm Fehr Graham and Freeport’s acting Public Works Director, appears to wield more influence than most elected officials inside City Hall.
And now, new revelations paint a disturbing picture of the man behind some of Freeport’s most critical infrastructure contracts — a man accused of misogyny, racial hostility, and unchecked abuse of power.
A February 2025 email obtained via FOIA from former Freeport Police Chief David Kentner warned city leaders of a dangerous pattern of behavior by Stykel, including verbal harassment of neighbors and racist undertones targeting Kentner’s own family.
Despite being sent directly to Mayor Jodi Miller, City Manager Rob Boyer, and every member of the Freeport City Council, the message was never publicly addressed. No action was taken. Fehr Graham continued receiving taxpayer-funded contracts.
A Former Chief Speaks Out
The email, dated February 19, 2025, was uncovered as part of a public records request. In it, Kentner describes a series of incidents in his neighborhood involving Stykel:
“Several days ago... Darin Stykel had been screaming his disdain at a woman daring to walk her dog on the same side of the street he walks his dogs on… Since that incident, we have not seen her in the neighborhood.”
Kentner’s letter then turned more personal. He recounts a moment when Stykel walked past his home and loudly declared to his dogs:
“Keep your noses straight ahead. I don’t want your noses hurt by the stench of the garbage that lives here.”
Kentner explains the comment occurred shortly after his granddaughter and great-granddaughter had moved in with him. His great-granddaughter, a toddler of Black heritage, had been seen outside by Stykel. Kentner concluded:
“I took it just the way it sounds… and I’ve added ‘suspected racist’ to Stykel’s traits.”
The email ends with a stark warning to city leadership:
“The next time Darin Stykel hurls what I consider to be racist insults at my family, my reaction will be immediate — right then, right there... Whenever this boils over, you each had an opportunity to prevent it.”
No Response. No Action. Millions in Contracts.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations — coming from a respected former law enforcement official — there is no evidence that Mayor Miller, City Manager Boyer, or the City Council launched any investigation or responded to Kentner’s concerns.
Instead, city staff and elected officials have continued to award Fehr Graham lucrative contracts, allowing Stykel to remain deeply embedded in Freeport’s infrastructure and planning processes.
While city attorneys claim Stykel is not a city employee, he frequently presents to the council, speaks on behalf of the city, and inserts himself into major decisions — often without public scrutiny or oversight.
A Growing Pattern of Abuse
This is not the first complaint involving Stykel’s behavior.
Earlier this year, Stykel was caught impersonating a hospital HR staffer in a phone call to a local business — a deceptive attempt to smear Joshua T. Atkinson, a former Freeport mayoral candidate and now a Republican candidate for Illinois State Senate.
Stykel’s impersonation occurred while using a phone number registered to Fehr Graham’s office line.
Still, no appropriate response from City Hall. No investigation. No comment.
The Fehr Graham Grip on Local Government
Fehr Graham is not just a Freeport problem. The engineering firm operates in dozens of municipalities across Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, often acting as the sole contractor for public works, water systems, and development consulting.
In Freeport, however, their influence appears particularly entrenched.
• Millions in contracts awarded since 2019
• Frequent project cost overruns and change orders
• Little public discussion or debate
• Darin Stykel involved in nearly every project
Despite repeated concerns from residents and now former law enforcement, City Hall continues to defend the firm and refuses to publicly discuss Stykel’s role.
Time to Act: Community Demands Accountability
With emails ignored and officials silent, residents are now calling for direct action — not just against Stykel, but against Fehr Graham itself.
“If they claim they can’t fire Darin Stykel, then fire Fehr Graham,” said one longtime resident.
Frustration has boiled over in recent months as city leaders tout sponsored fireworks, community picnics, and business ribbon cuttings — while remaining silent on a man who former officials accuse of racial insults, intimidation, and abuse of authority.
“All the fireworks in the world won’t distract us from corruption,” said a spokesperson from Fighting4Freeport.
📞 Contact City Hall
Residents are urged to stop waiting on email replies and instead call their officials directly:
Mayor Jodi Miller: (815) 235-8200
City Manager Rob Boyer: (815) 297-1166
Your Alderman: https://cityoffreeport.org/city-council
A Final Warning
Retired Chief Kentner gave Freeport’s leaders a choice. They chose silence.
“Whenever this boils over, you each had an opportunity to prevent it.”
It’s not just Darin Stykel’s behavior on trial — it’s the judgment, integrity, and courage of every elected official who continues to enable him and continues to hire Fehr Graham.
Tips or testimonies?
📨 Email: Fighting4Freeport@gmail.com
🌐 Visit: www.Fighting4Freeport.com
📣 Follow: @Fighting4Freeport on Facebook
—Brought to you and Paid for by Fighting4Freeport
