An Oswego man has been sentenced to six years in prison for repeatedly threatening Robert Schillerstrom, a Naperville resident who is the former DuPage County Board chairman and now heads the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.
James P. Conroy, 58, was convicted of felony telephone harassment after he threatened Schillerstrom’s life in December 2015 and then made a similar threat in a phone call made to Naperville police.
He originally was sentenced to probation in the case, but twice violated it, prompting DuPage County prosecutors to seek the maximum six years — in light of Conroy’s history. DuPage County Judge George Bakalis agreed with their assessment.
“It was not a sentencing recommendation we made lightly,” Assistant State’s Attorney Louisa Nuckolls said.
Prosecutors played recordings of Conroy’s telephone messages during the sentencing hearing, and Schillerstrom testified, prosecutors said.
Almost three decades ago, Schillerstrom, an attorney, defended Conroy on a drunk driving charge and earned a favorable disposition, prosecutors said. But in the intervening years Conroy, who has a history of mental illness, has fixated on the DUI case, Nuckolls said.
Conroy will receive credit for just over a year served in county jail, and could be eligible for parole in about two years.
Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.