💥 When the City’s Lawyer “Corrects” the Other Side: Why I Filed a Motion for Sanctions

Let me ask you something:
When you go to court, should the lawyer for the other side be correcting your legal filings?
Because that’s what’s happening to me.

My name is Tina Rose. I’m a disabled, autistic widow who is representing myself in federal court against the City of West Frankfort — because I believe their negligence and targeting nearly cost me my life and home. I don’t have a lawyer. But I’ve spent every day, often in bed due to chronic pain and illness, learning how to defend myself — because no one else will.

And now, after working for 10 days straight — often nauseated and in tears — to file my response to the city’s attempt to get my case dismissed, the city’s own attorney keeps emailing me to "correct" my filings.
Not once. Not twice. Over and over. Even after I told him — in writing — to stop.

His name is Keith Hill, and he works for Heyl Royster, a large law firm known for defending powerful institutions — like municipalities, police departments, and corporations — against lawsuits like mine.

They’re not some small-town firm. Heyl Royster has represented big entities across Illinois in major federal cases. In fact, they’ve defended municipalities in civil rights suits, police use-of-force cases, and whistleblower retaliation claims. They are polished, professional — and expensive.

But even big firms aren’t above ethical lines. Because no attorney is supposed to intimidate the opposing party, especially not a pro se plaintiff — especially not one who is disabled and without resources.

The City of West Frankfort’s Code Officer Thad Snell took this image - it was supplied to me via a FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST. This structure, less than 20 ft from the side of my home - with lot out of zoning requirements as well - is what the City of West Frankfort is willing to spend every dime they have defending this single lot — all while begging the state for TIF grants and funding to address these issues. The Mayor Tim Arview and City Clerk Andrea Bolen engaged in an entrapment scheme in hopes of a false arrest to keep me from the zoning board to address this issue. IMAGINE YOUR MAYOR AND CITY CLERK ACTING CRIMINALLY TO HARM SOMEONE OVER THIS.

Imagine it: you're a person without legal training, barely surviving, standing up alone in court. You file your legal documents — carefully and lawfully. Then the other side’s lawyer starts emailing you to tell you what you got “wrong.” Telling you to go back and fix things. Giving you a list of “corrections” like you're his intern.

That’s not advocacy. That’s bullying.

I told Mr. Hill clearly in an earlier email:

“Any chastising on my inability to read the right filing page limits as a pro se, disabled, autistic widow, will come from the court — not you... You are out of place, not my attorney, and have no legal authority to tell me what to do.”

I asked him never to send such an email again. But he didn’t stop.

He waited until after I filed one of the most important legal documents of this case — my response to the city’s motion to dismiss — and then he did it again.

but… here is the email mediating and asking for a mediation number that not only covers state cases - but this federal case as well. He did initiate mediation.

“I should not have to waste time and money reviewing and responding to this argument…”
— Keith Hill, July 2025

Let that sink in.

This is the attorney defending the City — telling a disabled woman fighting for her home and safety that my arguments are a waste of his money and time.

That’s not how the legal system is supposed to work.

Whether this is happening because I’m pro se, or because I’m a woman, or because I’m disabled and autistic, I do not believe a man — or a licensed attorney — would be treated this way.

This is a form of intimidation. It’s meant to shake my confidence. To make me question my work. To wear me down so I give up.

But I won’t.

I gathered the emails. I documented the pattern. And I filed a motion for sanctions — asking the judge to recognize this behavior for what it is.

You can read the full motion below.

This isn’t just about me. It’s about anyone who has to face power alone. It’s about poor people, disabled people, women, and outsiders — being treated as if we’re not worthy of basic respect or fairness.

It’s about the way big law firms and local governments work together to crush dissent.
And it’s about refusing to be silent, no matter how small they think we are.

I’ve been stalked, harassed, threatened, and nearly forced into homelessness.
But I’ve done everything by the book.
And I will not be “corrected” into silence.

Additionally, KEITH HILL, responded this very morning 7/28/2025. I’m adding this edit as he emailed me as I was posting this article. Here is the exact email I received.

Here is the full motion for sanctions which I filed yesterday 7/28/2025.