City of Markham sues park district executive director Quintina Brown for helicopter landing near basketball court where children were playing for photos of her daughter's prom on May 8.
City of Markham sues park district executive director over prom photo helicopter landing | VideoByThere is backlash over a helicopter landing used for prom pictures in the south suburbs.
The city of Markham has filed a lawsuit against a park district executive director who authorized the landing for her daughter's prom photos. Markham police body camera video shows the helicopter landing in a field across from a basketball court where children were playing at the time.
According to a lawsuit filed by the city of Markham, Quintina Brown, the executive director of the Markham Park District, authorized a helicopter to land on the field of Roesner Park to be a backdrop for her daughter to take photos for prom on the evening of May 8. Small plane crashes into sign after failed takeoff at DuPage Airport: West Chicago fire officials The lawsuit from the city claims Brown created the contract with the helicopter company under the Markham Park District.
It's unclear if the park district funds were used to pay for the helicopter, but the Markham city attorney says the city's zoning ordinance prohibits this kind of situation, especially when proper security was not in place.
"Could have been a catastrophe because children were playing. They were, and it's in the police report. And they ran from the basketball court that they were playing on when this helicopter started coming down," Markham City Attorney Burt Odelson said.
"You can't hire a helicopter for your kid and for prom. As nice as it is, you just can't do that.
"Brown said she is not in the office Wednesday due to her daughter's graduation and would not be available for an interview. Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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