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Community demands accountability after video shows man beaten outside Red Iguana; council pledges review of liquor-code security rules
Summary
Multiple witnesses and family members told the Waukegan City Council on Feb. 2 that a young man, identified in the transcript as Kivante Curry, was beaten and choked unconscious outside the Red Iguana; the police department is investigating and aldermen said they will explore tightening liquor-license security requirements.
A wave of public comment at the Waukegan City Council meeting on Feb. 2 focused on an incident at the Red Iguana restaurant in which speakers said a young man, identified in council testimony as Kivante Curry, was beaten and left unconscious.
"A young man was beaten, choked out, and thrown on his face, and teeth knocked out his mouth," said Kimberly Handy Jones, a resident who urged the council to pursue accountability and called for the business to be shut down.
Family members and community leaders repeated the claim and demanded a criminal investigation and administrative action. One speaker said the video showed Curry was unconscious before he hit the ground and accused security personnel of using excessive force. Several speakers said they would seek the state's attorney and other legal remedies.
Council members said the police department has opened a criminal investigation into the individuals who used force. "There's a police department investigating," Alderman Keith Turner said, adding that a criminal probe targets the people who allegedly caused injury rather than the business owners.
Other aldermen said the incident highlighted gaps in licensing and oversight. "We are in charge of licensing," Alderman Victor Felix said. "Part of that, I believe... is what quality of security do people have?" Felix and Alderman Martinez said they would look at revising the city's liquor code to require minimum security plans, stricter guard standards and clearer enforcement tied to licenses.
Mayor Samuel D. Cunningham Jr. and other council members urged patience for the criminal process while also noting the council can pursue policy changes. No formal council motion to suspend or revoke the Red Iguana's license was presented during the meeting; aldermen discussed potential ordinance changes and referred the broader policy question to staff and committees.
What happens next: The Waukegan Police Department confirmed an active investigation (no charges had been announced at the meeting). Aldermen said they will review liquor-license standards and enforcement options, and some suggested the matter could move through the public-safety committee or a code-amendment process.
Reporting details: Testimony about the incident began during public comment (transcript entries beginning SEG 1067). Council discussion of possible liquor-code changes and security requirements followed in aldermen remarks and committee-level conversation (noted across SEG 1510–SEG 1563).
