Why I Sued Jonathan Cantrell, West Frankfort's City Attorney - and Why Residents Should Care
HE FORGOT HE REPRESENTS US
Most people think a city attorney’s only job is to protect the mayor and city council. That’s wrong. A municipal lawyer’s real duty is to protect the city as a whole — which means every resident, and to make sure the law and the city’s own codes are followed fairly.
Jonathan Cantrell is the City Attorney for West Frankfort. In my view, and based on court filings, he has crossed the line — over and over — from legal advisor to enforcer of misconduct by certain city officials. This isn’t just bad ethics — it’s legally actionable, and he’s not immune from it.
1. His Job Is to Uphold the Law — Not Help Officials Break It
Cantrell is supposed to tell city officials:
Follow the municipal code.
Enforce safety and zoning laws equally.
Protect the public from unsafe conditions.
Instead, when I reported serious violations, extreme conditions, unsafe structures, buildings extended across property lines with no permits, illegal tenants, Jonathan Cantrell did not push into action to resolve the safety issues. He instead defended having boarded buildings to keep standing for the slumlords in our community. The same boarded and unsafe building all across the city of West Frankfort that keeps the squatters and drug trade flowing.
Instead of reacting to people violating the law— like new tenants being moved into a building that couldn’t pass safety inspection — Cantrell stood by while the city council passed a last-minute ordinance to exempt certain landlords from inspections. The “loophole”? If they claimed the tenant was a relative, they no longer had to meet safety rules. If a landlord wants to rent a structure that can’t pass city inspections and cant obtain a NON-OWNER-OCCUPANCY permit - they just have to wink at Thad and say “It’s My Cousin.”
That’s not protecting residents. That’s protecting political friends. And the timing — right after I complained — shows it was done to retaliate against me.
2. He Acted as the Mayor’s Private Lawyer in a False Case Against Me
Cantrell even showed up in court for Mayor Tim Arview in a personal protective order case against me — a case full of false statements. That had nothing to do with city business. Acting as the mayor’s personal attorney, while on the city payroll, is an abuse of his office and a misuse of public resources.
3. He Weaponized the Law Against Me Instead of Stopping Misconduct
When Code Officer Thad Snell came onto my property yelling and threatening me, Cantrell didn’t stop it. Later, my fence permit was pulled over a small construction mistake that was already going to be fixed. This is called “selective enforcement” — one set of rules for me, another for the mayor’s allies.
4. Why “Immunity” Doesn’t Apply Here
Government lawyers can sometimes claim “discretionary immunity” — a legal shield for certain decisions. But Illinois law is clear:
There is no immunity for willful, retaliatory, or unconstitutional acts.
There is no immunity for failing to do mandatory duties (like enforcing safety codes).
There is no immunity for personal involvement in false legal actions.
Cantrell’s conduct — enabling retaliation, helping to cover up safety violations, and representing officials in personal matters — falls outside the shield of immunity. That’s why my lawsuit is not just symbolic; it’s legally grounded.
5. Why This Matters to Every Resident
This isn’t “my fight” alone. If your city attorney can help officials play games, avoid the rules, retaliate against critics, and bend city law to serve private interests, then nobody’s rights are safe.
Your tax dollars should never pay for a lawyer to act as a private bodyguard for misconduct.
This case is about forcing a return to the basic idea: The law applies to everyone. City officials are not above it, and neither is their lawyer.
So you can further understand this case - the complete public filing is posted here and followed by the supplemental regarding immunity.
HERE IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL
