Suburban Bar Brawl Lands 'American Idol' Finalist Haley Reinhart in Cook County Court

ROLLING MEADOWS, IL — "American Idol" finalist Haley Reinhart attended a brief court hearing Wednesday stemming from her arrest last month following a bar brawl in Palatine, the Daily Herald reports. The 26-year-old Wheeling native was charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly punching a bouncer at the Lamplighter Inn in the face. But since the July 8 incident, Reinhart's lawyer has contended that it was her client who was assaulted by the nightclub's security staff, not the other way around.

No new information about the after-hours free-for-all came out Wednesday, and the hearing, which spanned less than five minutes, set up the next step in the case. The prosecution told Cook County Judge James Pieczonka it will be ready to go to trial Oct. 6, which also will mark Reinhart's return to court, the report added. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Palatine news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

October's trial will concern Reinhart's role in what transpired during the melee, as well as the events that led up to it. According to Palatine police, officers were dispatched to the Lamplighter, 60 N. Bothwell St., at around 2 a.m. July 8 in response to a call of disruptive customers who were asked to leave the nightclub but refused.

RELATED: Former 'American Idol' Contestant Arrested In Palatine

But Dina Lapolt, Reinhart's attorney, has denied the allegations against her client, who she says will be cleared of the charges. In fact, Lapolt claims security assaulted Reinhart and another member of her group when the staff tried to foribly remove them from the premises.

A Lamplighter bouncer was arrested July 19 for allegedly putting one of Reinhart's friends in a chokehold and punching him repeatedly in the head while he was on the ground. Adam Sobanski, 32, was charged with two counts of felony aggravated battery for his alleged assault of Alan Chislof, 30.

RELATED: 'American Idol' Finalist's Friend Choked By Palatine Bar Worker: Cops

When police arrived at the Lamplighter, officers found Chislof, who's also from Wheeling, with injuries to his head and face. Chislof's lawyer says his client suffered a concussion and multiple cuts and bruises that required an emergency room visit. A video posted on celebrity gossip site TMZ shows Chislof fighting with men who his attorney claims are Lamplighter employees.

Sobanski, who's from Palatine, was released on $45,000 bail, and his next court date is Aug. 10. Lapolt has said that Reinhart intends to take legal action against the Lamplighter and the individuals involved in the altercation.

More via the Daily Herald

"American Idol" finalist and Wheeling native Haley Reinhart at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in May. (Photo by Amy Harris | Invision | Associated Press)

- Story by Joe Vince (Patch Staff)