Police Review Board Referendum Question Neglected at City of Champaign Town Meeting

A proposal to put a referendum on the ballot in Champaign in support of a citizens police review board fizzled at last (Tuesday) night's annual town meeting.

The proposal's backer, Democratic precinct committeeman Wayne Williams, says he had to leave the City of Champaign town meeting early, due to a family emergency. And afterwards, no one brought his proposals --- including another referendum on healthcare reform --- up for a vote.

The Champaign City Council narrowly rejected a citizens police review board three years ago. But Williams says he continues to believe that a citizens police review board is needed.

"The most important thing about this is that the status quo is not acceptable", says Williams, who also serves on the Champaign County Board of Review. "I don't think it's right that police are allowed to investigate police complaints."

Republican precinct committeeman Bill Glithero also attended the annual town meeting in Champaign --- he estimates the attendance at around 15 or 20 people. Glithero says he thinks some people at the meeting may have supported the referendum proposal, but didn't understand that they were eligible to make a motion for it.

The annual town meetings held in townships across Illinois last (Tuesday) night are the only government meetings in the state where regular voters can take direct action on agenda items. Williams says he's exploring the possibility of a special town meeting to bring up the police review board referendum again.