In a striking lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on November 21, 2025, a plaintiff accuses the City of Wheaton and its police department of a pattern of discriminatory practices. The complaint, brought forth by David Bettini, alleges that over several years, the Wheaton Police Department engaged in selective non-enforcement of criminal laws when he was the victim, leading to significant personal and legal repercussions.
David Bettini’s lawsuit claims that from approximately 2022 onwards, officers within the Wheaton Police Department consistently failed to enforce Illinois criminal statutes in cases where he was involved. Crimes such as theft, destruction of property, and harassment were dismissed as mere “civil” or “divorce matters,” despite being clearly defined offenses under Illinois law. This alleged pattern of behavior was not only discriminatory but also arbitrary and retaliatory, violating Bettini’s constitutional rights under the Fourteenth Amendment and his rights under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The plaintiff recounts numerous instances where promises made by Deputy Chief Van Dillonkoffer to investigate these crimes were never fulfilled. Instead, excuses were given that ranged from “prosecutors won’t take it” to shifting responsibilities onto divorce courts. Such actions allegedly left Bettini without necessary documentation during his divorce proceedings, significantly impacting his credibility and legal standing.
One particularly egregious incident described in the complaint involves Officer Seth Berlin who allegedly transferred ownership of Bettini’s vehicle to another party without proper authority or verification. When challenged by Bettini about this action, Berlin reportedly responded with malice: “Go to court to get it back.” This response exemplifies what Bettini describes as a willful disregard for his property rights.
Bettini argues that these actions are part of a broader custom within the City’s police department that discriminates against individuals based on disability-related biases and fails to provide necessary accommodations. He seeks compensatory damages for property loss and emotional distress, punitive damages against individual defendants for their conduct, declaratory relief affirming his rights under federal law, injunctive relief mandating ADA-compliant policing reforms, and attorney’s fees.
Representing himself pro se in this matter is David Bettini. The case is presided over by Judge April M. Perry with Magistrate Judge Jeannice W. Appenteng assisting. The case identification number is 1:25-cv-14249.
Source: 125cv14249_David_Bettini_v_City_of_Wheaton_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
