At their meeting on February 21, 2017, the Champaign City Council will consider approving two legal settlements.
The first would settle a lawsuit filed by Precious Jackson against the City of Champaign and three police officers. The proposed $250,000 settlement would release all claims against the City and the officers. In her suit, Jackson alleged that while she was being arrested on May 26, 2014, a Champaign police officer used excessive force against her. The settlement was without admission of liability by the City or its officers. The lawsuit will be dismissed.
The second would settle a lawsuit filed by Kyle O’Brien against the City of Champaign and two police officers. The proposed $175,000 settlement would release all claims against the City and the officers. In his suit, O’Brien alleged that while being arrested on August 31, 2013, a Champaign police officer used excessive force against him. A trial on the matter took place in November 2016, which ended in a deadlocked jury. The settlement, after mediation by the Federal District Court, was without admission of liability by the City or its officers. The lawsuit will be dismissed.
“In each of these cases, both the City and the plaintiffs saw the benefit of avoiding the additional expense of litigation and agreed on a settlement,” reports City Attorney Fred Stavins. “We carefully reviewed all the facts in each case, and analyzed the legal fees associated with further defending the City and the officers against these allegations. The proposed settlements were found to be in the best interests of all involved.”
The Council Bills and Reports to Council relative to the proposed settlements are available for review on the City’s website (champaignil.gov/council).
Media Contact: Fred Stavins
Phone: 217-403-8765
[email protected]