Well the reporter said the bar/bartender has been harassed by someone close to the cop. It may be a cliche, but cops do protect their own. Even if the guys in the bar weren't cops, they probably knew he was. Who do you call when the cops break the law?
In this case the IL State police, or feds. They'll do an honest job. It's risky to call anyone else, even the State's atty office.