Niles Library Trustee banned from Niles Park District grounds, games for second time
In a special meeting on Oct. 6, the Niles Park District Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to ban a Niles-Maine District Library trustee from participating in, observing and attending Park District events, as well as entering Park District property.
Niles-Maine District Library Trustee Jason Trunco, who had been banned for a year in June 2020, was the coach of his son’s fifth and sixth grade baseball team. The board decided to ban Trunco after he got into an altercation with an umpire officiating a game that Trunco’s team played at Jonquil Terrace Park on Oct. 1.
Pioneer Press asked for and received public documents withtestimonies about the altercation. Names of the umpire and the parents who submitted their concerns to the Park District were redacted.
The umpire’s account said that Trunco became upset with him over disagreements on some of the calls he made. He said Trunco yelled, harassed and hollered profanities. The umpire added, “All of this was occurring in front of the kids and spectators.”
An account from someone who was passing by said the umpire also raised his voice and at times, goaded Trunco.
Another account of the incident said, “Trunco started arguing...Ump didn’t help, was arguing back.” The complainant also said that their child did not want to go back to the park the next week.
Trunco told Pioneer Press he spoke to the umpire, the team he coached, and parents after the game. “I regret what happened. I am deeply sorry for what happened, and I’m moving on from what happened,” Trunco said.
Five days after the ban, Trunco sent the park district board a letter stating his remorse. He apologized for his actions and said he would not fight the suspension anytime soon.
An exception to the ban was made for Trunco so he could pick up his children from the park. The board’s decision states that Trunco must remain in his car when he does so.
