As in the past four years, the Saturday, June 21, event is expected to draw more than 30,000 motorcyclists and others to the city to pay homage at the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial to troops who have died in the past year -- and then stay on to party on Main Street.

The permit was delayed while reports "outlaw motorcycle gangs" might be planning on attending were dealt with, according to Police Chief Jim Hovious.

The council chamber seats were filled with an audience of 30 people. There was no reaction to the council's vote early in the meeting, and at the close of the meeting only the attorney for the Freedom Run, Pete Naylor of Gurnee, commented to thank the council and express his satisfaction with the outcome.

"We appreciate that you've done your due diligence," Naylor said. "I think you've handled it the right way. You've probably read in the papers about some other communities that handled it the wrong way. The wrong, we would say, would be to have these kind of meetings behind closed doors, not alert the event promoters there might be an issue until the last second and then yank the permit."

A press release from Police Chief Jim Hovious was available.

Ruffled feathers were further smoothed by prepared comments from Mayor Jim Trager.

"Some people have the mistaken idea that a permit for the annual Freedom Run event is going to be automatically granted," Trager said. "That has never been the case in the past, and it will not be the case in the future."

The special event permit ordinance was approved early last year. Before that the council granted special event permission on an as-needed basis.

"Every year there are issues that have to be looked at. This year we had a few more things to consider than we usually do," Trager said. "After meeting with Chief Hovious and Lt. (Kenneth) Sangston and carefully considering all of the facts, it was determined that the city should issue the permit.

"All of the commissioners were briefed either by me or Chief Hovious so that they could make an informed decisions regarding this issue."

Hovious said safety for all is the city's main goal for the event.

"During the planning stages of this year's event, the police department learned from some of the event sponsors there could be a substantial attendance of outlaw motorcycle gang members.

"This information was confirmed by the Statewide Terrorism Information Center. In the recent past there has been violence between rival outlaw motorcycle gangs. Events in Illinois have been either canceled or changed venues as a result.

"The Marseilles Police Department is working with various federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to provide assistance and support. Because the planning for this event depends on up-to-date information, the Marseilles police requested the permit be tabled at the last meeting to allow more time to investigate security issue.

"Event security was the sole reason for tabling the application, financing was not a factor."

Hovious said the police will work to ensure "the event is a safe and enjoyable experience that is dedicated to the support of the veterans and their families."