Illinois' Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council says a reported internal investigation involving Champaign Police Officer Matt Rush, the subject of four excessive force lawsuits, is not related to his actions on duty. "It is a direct result of the intense negative publicity and inaccurate public statements stemming from his prior case," said General Counsel Tamara Cummings.
A number of U of I students and guests from other schools are expected in the Campustown neighborhood Friday for Unofficial St. Patrick's Day, the binge drinking event that started as a bar promotion in the mid-90's. Extra patrols will be in place around campus, and Champaign and Urbana have emergency orders in place, including a ban on keg permits, and U of I dorms have banned overnight guests.
A fourth excessive force lawsuit has been filed against Champaign police officer Matt Rush. The city council has already approved $320,000 in settlements in three other lawsuits filed against the officer, who's reportedly been on unpaid leave since early this month.
The Champaign City Council will be asked at its Feb. 2nd meeting to approve a $70,000 settlement in a third excessive force lawsuit against police officer Matt Rush.
Champaign City Council members Tuesday approved a second excessive force lawsuit settlement involving Police Officer Matt Rush, this one for $225,000, but only after an hour of emotional public comments and a march by activists through the downtown streets, calling for Rush to step down and face criminal charges.
