Jail and probation for man who threatened life of tollway chairman

An Oswego man has been sentenced to jail time and two years' probation for threatening to kill Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom during a series of phone calls in December.

James P. Conroy, of the 500 block Chestnut Drive, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to one felony count of telephone harassment as part of a deal with prosecutors. In return, prosecutors dropped a second count of telephone harassment and a count of disorderly conduct against Conroy.

Conroy was sentenced to 180 days in the DuPage County jail, 24 months of probation and counseling. DuPage Judge George J. Bakalis also ordered Conroy to have no contact with Schillerstrom and his family.

Authorities said Conroy, 57, has a long history of harassing Schillerstrom.

According to Naperville police and DuPage County court records, Conroy called Schillerstrom's Naperville home at 5:53 p.m. Dec. 1 from a Naperville hotel.

Prosecutors said Conroy left a message saying he would kill Schillerstrom if he had the opportunity. At 7 p.m. that same night, Conroy also called the Naperville Police Department and said he was planning to shoot Schillerstrom at the tollway building, according to prosecutors.

Naperville police recognized Conroy's voice because of past calls he made to Schillerstrom.

As recently as 2012, Conroy served six months in jail for contacting the former DuPage County Board chairman after twice being ordered not to contact Schillerstrom or his family in 2011.

When police spoke to Schillerstrom about the most recent threats, Schillerstrom told them he tried to ignore them, according to prosecutors. However, Schillerstrom told police he and members of his family were fearful about the threats.

Conroy, who has been in jail since his arrest in December, received credit for 117 days served toward his jail sentence.