July 26, 2024
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Kendall County prosecutor resigns over alleged improper relationship

A Kendall County woman has filed a lawsuit against Mark Shlifka, a high-ranking prosecutor in the office, and Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis over the matter

By Eric Schelkopf
Prosecuting attorney Mark Shlifka during the Javier Esqueda motion hearing at the Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville on Thursday, March 1st. Esqueda is charged with official misconduct for accessing and leaking the police squad video of the arrest of Eric Lurry, 37, who died following his arrest on drug charges in January 2020.

Kendall County First Assistant State’s Attorney Mark Shlifka on Monday resigned amid allegations that he had been involved in a romantic relationship with a Kendall County woman who was both a complaining witness in one case and the defendant in another case in Kendall County. (Gary Middendorf – gmiddendorf@shawmedia/Gary Middendorf)

YORKVILLE – A high-ranking official in the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s office has resigned after allegations surfaced that he had been involved in an improper physical relationship with a woman who was involved in multiple cases pending before the court.

Kendall County First Assistant State’s Attorney Mark Shlifka resigned April 24 amid allegations that between March 2022 and March 2023 he had been involved in an improper romantic relationship with a Kendall County woman who had been the complaining witness and victim in two domestic battery cases and recently the defendant in a DUI case.

The cases still are being prosecuted by the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s office, and Shlifka was aware of the woman’s involvement in them, according to a lawsuit she filed against Shlifka and State’s Attorney Eric Weis.

“This sexual relationship between the defendant and the plaintiff was brazenly open. The defendant [Shlifka] took the plaintiff on vacations and speaking engagements with him, took her to a party where many Cook County judges and lawyers were present, stayed over at the plaintiff’s residence on many occasions and met her at a hotel near the Kendall County courthouse on many occasions,” according to the woman’s lawsuit.

Shlifka could not be reached for comment.

The woman was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after a crash in December 2020 in Oswego. That case is in pre-trial proceedings, according to court records.

She filed the lawsuit against Shlifka and Weis on April 24. The suit seeks more than $50,000 in compensatory damages from Shlifka and $50,000 in compensatory damages from Weis, who is accused of not properly supervising Shlifka.

In a statement issued April 25, Weis said that Shlifka was put on administrative leave after his office learned about the relationship on April 21. On April 24, Shlifka submitted his resignation, effective immediately.

“After confirming the existence of the dating/romantic relationship, the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office filed appropriate court pleadings in both matters to ensure the continued integrity of these proceedings and to ensure that both defendants receive a fair trial,” Weis said in a news release. “Additionally, the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission has been notified.”

In addition, the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office is not aware of any other individuals or incidents regarding Shlifka, according to the release. Nevertheless, Weis has requested an outside State’s Attorney’s Office to conduct any investigation if the need should arise, according to the release.

“The Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office will continue to see that justice is done for the residents of Kendall County and take appropriate action when necessary to maintain the ethical pursuit of justice for all Kendall County,” Weis said.

A case management conference on the lawsuit is set for 9 a.m. July 20, according to court records.