Chicago City Wire

Before 24th Ward aldermanic candidate Creative Scott launched his political career, Chicago police knew the barber-turned-politician by his given name, Carlton M. Bolton.

Chicago Police and Cook County court records obtained by Chicago City Wire show Bolton, now Scott, age 50, was arrested twice in 2001 for felony unlawful use of a weapon.

Bolton/Scott was found guilty and sentenced to 12 months of probation.

On Feb. 28, Creative Scott received 14.83 percent of the vote-- enough to qualify for the April 4, 2023 run-off against incumbent Ald. Monique Scott (no relation), who didn't break 50 percent.

The felony conviction would have once barred him from serving as an alderman. State law says convicted felons cannot hold a municipal office. But in Jan. 2016, a Cook County judge vacated Bolton/Scott's conviction.

Bolton/Scott's attorney cited a 2013 Illinois Supreme Court ruling that deemed Illinois’ statute on aggravated unlawful use of a weapon -- on which Bolton/Scott was convicted -- as unconstitutional.

The court ruling, which followed a federal court ruling doing the same, arguing the statute was a "flat ban on carrying ready-to-use guns outside the home" and this a violation of the 2nd Amendment, undid thousands of Illinois court convictions for carrying a loaded firearm.

It also cleared the way for Bolton/Scott' campaign for a seat on the City Council. 

Carlton M. Bolton changed his name to Creative Scott in Nov. 2016, court records show.

He "went into the trunk of his car, retrieved a handgun and threatened to shoot [Brooks] with it"

On April 11, 2001, Bolton/Scott, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon when police responded to a "gang disturbance" and a "panic alarm" at Bolton's business, Creative Beauty Salon, 3946 W 16th Street, according to police reports. 

Officers arrived to find Bolton in an altercation with two men. While conducting a "protective pat down" of Bolton, officers discovered and confiscated a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber pistol loaded with four bullets, according to court records. 

Bolton was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, failing to register a weapon and not having a firearm owner's identification card, according to court records. 

The charges were not prosecuted by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. 

Then, two weeks later, on April 27, 2001, Bolton/Scott was charged again aggravated assault for pointing a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol at Ricky Brooks, who signed a complaint to press charges, court records show. 

In a Chicago police report obtained by Chicago City Wire, Bolton/Scott gives the same home address -- 1858 S. Avers in South Lawndale -- and date of birth on his voter registration today.

The report notes a "tattoo on his (left) forearm of a microphone that says "poetry in motion." 

It says Brooks told police that he got in a verbal argument with Bolton/Scott, who allegedly "went into the trunk of his car, retrieved a handgun and threatened to shoot [Brooks] with it," a police report states. 

Police reports state officers spotted Bolton/Scott holding a pistol in his right hand, put it in his waist band and ran into his beauty salon on 16th Street. Officers in "hot pursuit" on foot, entered the salon and arrested Bolton/Scott. Officers confiscated an unregisetered Smith & Wesson "Chief's Special" pistol loaded with six bullets in a cabinet, according to court documents. 

Bolton/Scott was charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, the Class 4 felony that was later deemed unconstitutional.

Chicago City Wire previously reported on Creative Scott's unpaid bills and child support.

Scott did not respond to a phone call or email requesting comment for this story.