COLLINSVILLE, IL (KMOX) - Local officials don't know who sent it, but they know they didn't send a letter telling a Madison County resident he had to take down his political yard sign because it was offensive.
Collinsville Assistant City Manager Derek Jackson says the letter originally looked authentic, but a closer look revealed some flaws.
"It looks like they were able to acquire our city logo from the internet," he says, "and they kind of put together what seems to be, at first glance, a legitimate notice from a municipality. But quickly after reading it you realize it doesn't have who it is addressed to, what exactly they're in violation of, the typical information you'd see from a municipality as far as giving notice."
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Jackson says the sign in question read: "Trump 2020, No More BS". He says even if people are offended by a political sign, it is protected by the first amendment.
Here is the full letter that was sent:
City officials are still trying to determine the letter's author.
"Obviously if there was any information regarding who sent the letter out that's something we're actively looking into so that stops immediately" says Jackson. "We don't want anybody sending out fake notices to residents thinking they have a fine or are in violation of something when they're really not."
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