Champaign Police lawsuit settlements are a steep price this year (compare to a previous 6 year total of $1 million in the recent past) From the News-Gazette earlier this month:
Champaign council OKs settling two lawsuits against police for $3.7M
CHAMPAIGN — The city council approved settling two lawsuits accusing police officers of wrongdoing for a combined $3.7 million Tuesday night in what one council member said was "a business decision."
"This is not a reflection on the officers," Greg Stock said. "The idea that this is somehow reflective of their conduct is wrong. These were fine officers doing a fine job. This is a business decision because our liability is too high."
The bulk of the funds being paid — $3.5 million — is going to Teshome Campbell, who claimed he was wrongfully incarcerated for nearly 18 years in connection with the 1997 murder of James Shephard.
Campbell sued the city and six officers after his 1998 murder conviction was vacated and he was released from prison in 2016.
The council approved his settlement by a vote of 7-2, with Stock and Clarissa Nickerson Fourman voting "no." The payouts to Campbell and his lawyers will be handled by insurance.
The council also approved a $220,000 settlement for Alton Corey, who sued the city and two officers over their use of force when they were summoned to his apartment complex on Edgebrook Drive for a 2017 domestic dispute. That vote was 8-1, with Fourman the lone "no."
Full article here, including Fourman's explanation of her opposition that these settlements could encourage anti-police behavior while leaving residents living in squalor with even fewer resources from the City. An article prior to the vote laid out the background here.
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