“Your file is intact,” Spano said. “Whatever was in there remains in there.”

However, Spano said, the city did not release any information in the mayor’s personnel file concerning discipline for legal reasons.

The Herald-News has sought personnel records concerning suspensions and other disciplinary action concerning O’Dekirk during his time as a Joliet police officer since a May 31 incident when he was involved in a scuffle with two protesters at a Black Lives Matter rally.

Several church leaders and others have called for the mayor’s resignation and questioned his past conduct as a police officer.

Personnel orders obtained by The Herald-News indicate that O’Dekirk had been suspended seven times for a total of 49 days.

O’Dekirk at a news conference last week said the information obtained by The Herald-News and the Chicago Tribune about his suspensions was wrong and said the correct information was available from the city.

No other information has been released about discipline taken against O’Dekirk when he served as a police officer. O’Dekirk at the news conference would not answer when asked if he would authorize the release of his suspension records.

City officials are pointing to state law that bars the release of disciplinary records more than 4 years old and also subjects cities to litigation and potential damages sought by the employee if those records are released.

The Herald-News last week filed FOIA requests for personnel files to both the police department and human resources department, which keep separate files.

The police responded with documents listing O’Dekirk’s awards and commendations, but no other records.

Deputy Chief Darrell Gavin said there was no other information in the police personnel file, but also said that the personnel file in the human resources department could contain more information.

O’Dekirk at the council meeting appeared to refer to Gavin when he asked Spano if anything was being done about “one or two city employees who took it upon themselves to spread lies about me” concerning his personnel files.

Spano said there have been “discussions” but did not elaborate.

The personnel file provided by the human resources department provided more information, but nothing about disciplinary actions taken against O’Dekirk.