WHEATON, Ill. (AP) — A Chicago man found guilty of making threatening telephone calls to an Illinois state representative has been sentenced to two years of probation.
Stephen Bona was found guilty in March of two felony counts of threatening a public official. The 52-year-old Bona apologized to state Rep. Jeanne Ives of Wheaton before he was sentenced Friday in DuPage County Circuit Court.
Authorities say Bona called Ives’ office on March 22, 2013 and left a threatening message and was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The charges were upgraded to threatening a public official when he made a second call.
The threats were made as lawmakers were debating whether to legalize same-sex marriage. Bona testified he never intended to harm Ives.
Bona could have received a five-year sentence for each guilty count.