Mark A. Shlifka, the former Chief Assistant State’s Attorney of Kendall County, is facing a law license review following allegations of criminal misconduct by the States top Legal Watchdog. The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) has brought forth charges against Shlifka, claiming he committed criminal acts, including unauthorized video recording and battery, during his final year as Kendall County's Chief Assistant States Attorney.
The ARDC's complaint outlines a series of incidents involving Shlifka and a key witness in a felony case he personally prosecuted in Kendall County. The complaint alleges that between March 31, 2022, and April 24, 2023, Shlifka engaged in unethical and illegal behavior that compromises his integrity and fitness as a lawyer.
One of the primary allegations is that Shlifka began a sexual relationship with a domestic violence witness, referred to as J.N., who was involved in a case he was prosecuting as the KendallCounty Chief Assistant States Attorney. J.N. was a victim of domestic violence and had appeared as a principal witness in Kendall County State's Attorney prosecutions when the relationship began. This relationship reportedly began on or about April 14, 2022, and continued until January 2023.
The ARDC complaint alleges Shlifka began a relationship and began having sexual relations with JN during the sentencing stages of the prosecution of her former boyfriend for domestic abuse. In a filing this January in response to the ARDC complaint, Shlifka admitted to having the sexual relationship with JN while personally prosecuting her former boyfriend.
The complaint also recounts that during this period, Shlifka allegedly purchased a plane ticket for J.N. to accompany him to a legal conference in Palm Springs, California, in violation of her bond conditions setby a KendallCounty Judge in an unrelatedcriminalcase of DUI that J.N. was in the process of being prosecuted. In a filing this January in response to the ARDC complaint, Shlifka admitted to having taken J.N. with him on a business trip as a speaker at the National Association of District Attorneys. Shlifka clarified that at the time he took J.N. out of the state while she was on bond Shlifka was thinking of JN as a prosecuting witness and not a criminal defendant.
In addition to the conflict of interest, Shlifka is accused of unauthorized video recording. The ARDC's complaint states that Shlifka took still photographs of his penis in close proximity to J.N.'s head and naked buttocks while she was asleep, without her consent. According to the ARDC complaint these actions, which occurred between April 14, 2022, and December 31, 2022, are considered criminal offenses under Illinois law. In a filing this January in response to the ARDC complaint, Shlifka denied taking still photographs of his penis on or near J.N's body while she was asleep without her consent.
The allegations further include a charge of battery, as Shlifka is accused of knowingly making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with J.N. while she was asleep. In a filing this January in response to the ARDC complaint, Shlifka also denied taking actions of a provoking nature that would constitutebattery.
J.N. has sued Kendall County States Attorney and Shlifka in civil court for damages in excess of $50,000. The suit alleges that Kendall County States Attorney Eric Weis knew about the relationship and did nothing. The suit alleges Eric Weis ran into Schlifka and J.N. in public while they were dating. Kendall County StatesAttorney Weis has stated in court motions he did not know who the woman was when he saw them in public on multiple occasions. The suit was dismissed earlier this year by Dekalb County Judge Bradley Waller. The dismissal has been appealedand will be heard later this fall by an appellate court.
Shlifka resigned from his position with the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office on April 24, 2023. The ARDC is seeking disciplinary action against him, including a review of his law license.
The case will proceed to a hearing where a panel will make findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a recommendation for appropriate discipline.
WSPY has attempted to contact Shlifka multiple times for comment and he has made no response. Kendall County States Attorney Eric Weis has refused to comment on ongoing litigation.
The complaint by the ARDC and Shlifka's response are attached.
