Read more about the article Champaign County Sheriff’s Office knew Norman Meeker had an alcohol problem for a decade. Why did it take a flipped truck and a DUI for Meeker to leave the force?
A close view of the flipped vehicle. Screenshot from body camera footage.

Champaign County Sheriff’s Office knew Norman Meeker had an alcohol problem for a decade. Why did it take a flipped truck and a DUI for Meeker to leave the force?

Champaign County Sheriff’s Sergeant Norman “JR” Meeker had a 10-year history of violations, including destruction of personal property, contract violations, a Tik Tok account that shared bodycam videos of crime scenes and mountains of missed paperwork.  Yet, he was still employed and promoted at the Sheriff’s Office until he flipped a truck while drunk. Champaign County Sheriff’s Office records suggest a systemic inability to deal with over-the-top behavior from its officers — a system in which a sergeant can be disciplined regularly, suspected for having alcohol problems for over a decade, violate contracts and be accused of using racial slurs — yet keep their job. 

Continue ReadingChampaign County Sheriff’s Office knew Norman Meeker had an alcohol problem for a decade. Why did it take a flipped truck and a DUI for Meeker to leave the force?
Read more about the article As deadline approaches for action on downtown jail, Champaign County faces funding and activists as roadblocksDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
A common area for inmates to gather during the day at the Champaign County jail in Downtown Urbana.

As deadline approaches for action on downtown jail, Champaign County faces funding and activists as roadblocks

With a U.S. Department of Justice-imposed deadline approaching, Champaign County officials have increasing pressure on them to either renovate or close the 37-year-old jail in downtown Urbana.

Continue ReadingAs deadline approaches for action on downtown jail, Champaign County faces funding and activists as roadblocks
Read more about the article $1 million lawsuit filed against Champaign County for death of inmate Toya FrazierDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
A common area between pods at the Champaign County satellite jail in east Urbana on March 11, 2013.

$1 million lawsuit filed against Champaign County for death of inmate Toya Frazier

The lawsuit was filed on Dec. 1 by Frazier’s sister Jacqueline Jones against the county, Sheriff Dan Walsh and four medical and correctional staff members. It demands damages of $1 million.

Continue Reading$1 million lawsuit filed against Champaign County for death of inmate Toya Frazier