Roc Van Guilder, a vice president at Hanson Professional Services along with his son Lee, also a Hanson employee who is responsible for acquisition and management of state-owned property in eastern Will County, appeared last Wednesday in a Will County Courtroom.

The two were charged with criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to real property. They are scheduled to return to court Wednesday, June 20 for a pre-trial hearing.

The Van Guilders, both of Lowell, Indiana, were charged Monday, March 19 by Will County States Attorney James Glasgow.

The charges allege that the defendants knowingly entered the land owned by Mark Baugh at 2865 W. Eagle Lake Rd., northwest of Beecher, after receiving prior notice that such entry was forbidden.

The charges stem from the Dec. 1 incident when Van Guilder apparently ordered a piece of heavy equipment to traverse Baugh’s property without permission, causing damage to the farmed ground.

Roc Van Guilder has worked for Hanson Professional Services since 2000. A year ago, Van Guilder was promoted to vice president. Hanson hired his son Lee in 2002.

The elder Van Guilder has a long history with the South Suburban Airport project. He was formerly the project manager for TAMS Consultants, the consultant hired by the state two decades ago to "study" a proposed third Chicagoland airport. Van Guilder was a vice president at TAMS.

Several eastern Will County residents were present in the courtroom last week as well as some public officials.

"If we have to wait until June 20 for justice, then we will wait," said Jim Verduin, an eastern Will County landowner and president of FRAMED (Footprint Residents Against Mandatory Eminent Domain.)

Verduin said he was surprised at the not guilty plea.

"With eyewitnesses, I don’t see how they could plead not guilty," he said. "I doubt this will ever go to trial because I don’t see how they could win.

Several other eastern Will County landowners attended the proceedings as well.