Police Investigating After Fight Breaks out at Village Hall

Updated: 3:30 p.m. July 20

Updated: 9 a.m. Tuesday

are investigating a fight that broke out Monday night among a group of residents at .

The incident occurred moments after the Village Board’s regular meeting ended just before 10 p.m. As trustees headed into their closed-door session, former trustee Lisa Stone, who had addressed the board, headed to the side of the room where staff members and Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Balinski sit. Stone said she exchanged comments with another audience member, and then told resident Stan Zoller "you're next."

Zoller often attends the meetings and documents the activity, which often involves Stone, in his blog.

That's when, Stone said, “he did something that made me mad. I don’t know what he said, even, but it was something provocative, and I gave him the finger.”

"Then I said, 'I have two words for you,’" Zoller said. "I’ll leave it at that.”

After Stone and Zoller exchanged words, resident Bonnie George, who had also delivered public comments during the meeting, stepped in to defend Stone. That’s when an altercation occurred, catching the attention of those who remained in the room. Reporters in the room saw Zoller with his fist raised.

"The fist thing was completely reactive," Zoller told Patch Tuesday morning. "There was no intent there whatsoever."

Balinski, other officers and a resident stepped in to diffuse the situation. No one was injured, nor was anyone charged in the incident Monday night.

“There will be a police investigation,” said Balinski, who was nearby when the scene erupted. “We will consult with the Cook County State’s Attorney, too, to review the facts.”

“We’re going to look into the totality of the situation. We’re on a fact-finding mission,” he said.

Zoller on Tuesday said that he regretted "causing a disturbance."

"I shouldn't have said what I said (to Stone). It was probably out of frustration," he said. He disputed Stone's claim that he did something to provoke her. "Had I said anything to provoke her, that would be another story. Had I done something to deserve the finger, fine. But I didn't."

Stone and George headed to the police station immediately after the meeting to tell their sides of the story. Zoller talked with officers at Village Hall, then left the building.

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