Video shows explosive altercation between Poplar Grove officials during public meeting

POPLAR GROVE, Ill. (WTVO) – A member of the Poplar Grove Board of Trustees says he’s disturbed after watching a video showing a verbal altercation between the village president and another member of the board during a public meeting last month.

“It’s unacceptable behavior for any elected official,” said Trustee Owen Costanza, who left the July 10 executive session before the altercation occurred. “It’s frightening.”

The video shows Trustee Jeff Goings and Village President Don Sattler shouting at each other. At the beginning of the incident, Sattler gets out of his chair, raises his fists and says, “Come on, let’s fight right now,” as he approaches Goings. The men then exchange a series of profanities.

The verbal dust-up lasts for more than 40 seconds, ending as Goings appears to be leaving the room with Sattler following him.

Costanza added that he’s disappointed that nobody did anything to de-escalate the situation.

“I was shocked that everybody sat there and nobody said a word,” he said. “I am being told that no one was under an legal obligation, but certainly we have a moral obligation to protect one another as elected officials or just one human being to another human being. I mean, if I didn’t know you and you were out in the street and saw something happening, I would try to calm the situation down.”

Costanza said the matter has been turned over to the Boone County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Eyewitness News was able to reach Goings Thursday but he was not available for comment. An email to Sattler has not been returned.

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