The city of Champaign has permanently terminated police officer Matt Rush after two-and-a-half years of appeals and litigation. City Manager Dorothy David announced the $50,000 separation agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police at the conclusion of Tuesday's Champaign City Council meeting. Rush was twice fired by the city, and was the subject of multiple excessive force lawsuits, costing the city more than $300,000 in settlements.
The emerald ash borer continues to devastate ash trees in Champaign and surrounding areas. The City of Champaign has removed about one third of the ash trees on its property since the insect was first found in the city in 2006.
Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz says she won’t be filing criminal charges against Champaign police officer Matt Rush. Rush has been the subject of four excessive force lawsuits – three of them, to date, resulting in settlements.
The council unanimously directed staff to start working on a $95 million private development with Hans Grotelueschen. The new plan's central site is the parking lot at Washington and Walnut Streets, and would be the site for a high-rise that includes a conference center, apartments, and hotel rooms.
Common Ground is adding a second store, expanding to a downtown Champaign location in early 2016. Its general manager expects to add to the co-op's diverse customer base and add 75 jobs when the Walnut Street location opens.
