Burr Ridge Swingers Party: Ex-Official Weighs In

Burr Ridge IL

12 May, 2022

9:22 AM

Description

BURR RIDGE, IL – Former Burr Ridge Trustee Zach Mottl on Wednesday responded to criticism about his opposition to swingers parties in town. On Monday, Patch reported that a swingers party was held at a Burr Ridge hotel, despite earlier statements to the contrary from a village official At a public meeting earlier this year, Trustee Tony Schiappa said rumors about "adult activities" at a local hotel were inaccurate. He said he told the hotel manager who complained about the rumors to go to the police to see what they could do about the misinformation. Patch recently received documentation that a swingers party happened at Crowne Plaza Hotel the weekend of April 29. It was advertised as a "hotel takeover." Mottl posted comments to Patch's website to express his concerns about the swingers party. Since Patch's story, many online commenters have criticized Mottl for calling attention to a party that was legal. They also have denounced Patch for publishing a story about the issue. "I'm a live-and-let-live person," Mottl said in an interview. "I'm all for people doing what they want to do behind closed doors." But he said the Red Party at Crowne Plaza was not entirely behind closed doors, noting the event was described as a "hotel takeover." He suggested it may have been possible for families with children to stay at the hotel during that time. In an interview last week, Schiappa said he was unaware of the event at Crowne Plaza. "What they do in their own room is what they do. If they want to lead a life like that, that's who they are. I don't look for that stuff. I'd rather read the Bible," Schiappa told Patch. Mottl said he, too, was praying – for better governance. He said the advertisements for the swingers party were damaging the village. Mottl said he was not sure whether Burr Ridge could do anything about such parties. But he said Schiappa essentially told people they were liars for suggesting adult activities were happening in town. "I don't have the answers, but let's have an honest discussion about it, rather than saying it's not going on, rather than telling people to shut up," Mottl said. "I tend to be more libertarian. I don't want to regulate people's bedrooms." Crowne Plaza's general manager has not returned messages for comment. Last year, Mottl lost his bid for re-election. Once friendly, Mottl and Schiappa later became political adversaries. The Village Board repeatedly reprimanded Mottl for such things as calling Mayor Gary Grasso a "mobster."