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15 FOOD | Missionaries of masa 16 FILM | Concrete Cowboy 17 MUSIC | Addison Johnson FREE April 8-14, 2021 • Vol. 46, No. 38 Can cops say that? Police in trouble over divisive social media posts 12 POLICING | Mary Hansen, NPR Illinois
2 | www.illinoistimes.com | April 8-14, 2021
OPINION
Science calls
for action on
Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry? climate change
GUESTWORK | Donald J. Wuebbles, Ph.D.
ALPLM rids self of foundation
UPON FURTHER REVIEW | Bruce Rushton I am an atmospheric scientist and a
professor at University of Illinois in Urbana-
Champaign. Climate change is one of the
Even before the Abraham Lincoln artifacts absent a state bailout, then set up a important issues facing humanity and, as
Presidential Library and Museum opened GoFundMe page that raised $35,000 before Sir David King, science adviser to two UK
in 2005, its foundation created in 2000 being quietly retired. prime ministers, has said, it may be “the
has acted as if it owned a place paid for by As with any divorce, property division biggest challenge of all time.” It is important
taxpayers. is paramount, but possession is nine-tenths to realize that climate change and its impacts
When executive director positions for of the law, and the foundation’s relics reside are about science and not politics. Its
the public institution have come open, the in the ALPLM’s vault under an agreement existence does relate to past human choices.
Policy and politics do come into play when
private foundation has paid for searches, that expires in 18 months. Nothing but
we determine what to do about it.
then helped pay the chosen person’s salary. shame would seem to prevent the foundation
Climate is the long-term averages and
Six years ago, the ALPLM warned that it from carting off Lincoln’s bloody gloves and variations in weather. The science is clear –
might have to close due to lack of money Mary Todd’s jewelry – the same stuff the our climate is changing, and it is changing
as it launched a probe of contracts covering foundation threatened to auction when it extremely rapidly, about 10 times more
concessions, the gift shop and catering tried for a state bailout a few years ago – once rapidly than nature tends to change the
services that the foundation oversaw. Instead the agreement expires, but that doesn’t seem climate worldwide. Many aspects of the
of the state selling tickets, money collected at necessary. The foundation’s most recent IRS climate globally and in the United States,
the door has gone to the foundation, which filing shows that the charity as of last summer including here in Illinois, are changing.
greeted museum visitors and sold foundation had $2.2 million in cash and temporary Many thousands of observational-based
memberships that came with free admission. investments and another $5.9 million in studies have documented the increasing
foundation and bought from an insider with
Over the years, the foundation has realized publicly traded securities, which together surface, atmospheric and oceanic
a loan from an insider (Chisum worked
nearly $79 million in revenue, according would nearly cover debt, most if not all temperatures on climate time scales.
for a corporation that runs the bank that
to Internal Revenue Service filings, while for the Taper Collection, of $8.7 million. Observations also show many other aspects
acquired the note in 2012), includes gloves of a changing climate, e.g., that the vast
maintaining that it can’t retire debt for stuff The Taper Collection excluded, total assets
Lincoln carried to Ford’s Theater, a cipher majority of glaciers, including much of
that may or may not be genuine. exceed liabilities by $152,000, according
book the future president used while learning Greenland and Antarctica, are melting, snow
“(It) is our decision to do what makes the to the filing. If necessary to zero out the
arithmetic and assorted other treasures aside cover is diminishing, sea ice is shrinking, sea
most sense for the ALPLM,” the late Tolbert foundation’s books, find a few folks in need
from a hat with questionable provenance – I levels are rising and our oceans are acidifying.
Chisum, then foundation director, wrote of tax deductions to quietly donate a couple
think that it is fashioned from pug hair, In addition, water vapor in the atmosphere
in a 2007 email to then state historian Tom hundred thousand dollars contingent on the
but who knows for sure. The collection is is generally increasing – basic physics tells
Schwartz, ’splaining that once the foundation entire collection being signed over to the
the largest asset of an outfit with a board us that a warmer atmosphere can hold more
wrote a $23 million check to foundation ALPLM and everyone goes home.
that includes bigwigs ranging from former water vapor. And this increase in water vapor
board member Louise Taper, since departed IRS filings don’t contain details, and
Gov. Jim Edgar to historian Doris Kearns should lead to larger precipitation events,
from the board, for artifacts including a that’s what the ALPLM says it was never which is also observed.
Goodwin to Pat Coburn, former publisher
certain hat, an appraisal establishing worth able to get from the foundation, which
of the State Journal-Register to Julie Cellini, Climate change is affecting all of us – it
of artifacts should be none of the public’s the museum says refused to disclose how is not just about it being warmer; climate
an SJ-R First Citizen. They all, I’m guessing,
business. “I see no reason in ever letting it it spends and raises money. In a message change is also leading to more extreme
attended Chicago galas where the foundation,
(the appraisal) out to the public, unless we prepared for staffers, museum brass predicts weather, more intense wildfires, more
having invented the Lincoln Leadership Prize
need some publicity.” life will go on much as it always has: “Our intense storms and reductions in coastlines
in 2006, bestowed it on such bedfellows
Publicity came last week, when the in-depth research reveals that the foundation from rising sea levels. These are already
as Sandra Day O’Connor, Bill Clinton,
ALPLM evicted the foundation from state raises very little money for day-to-day affecting our infrastructure, our lifestyles,
George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Steven Spielberg
premises and declared that a new foundation operations at the ALPLM. Our programs and sometimes, human lives. The frequency,
and the Little Rock Nine. Gary Sinise,
might be formed. The fate of foundation- and services will not suffer without the size and duration of extreme heat events
an actor born in Illinois, won this year.
owned relics hasn’t been decided. foundation.” have increased. Multi-day heat waves are
Meanwhile, treasures became hostages as the
The Taper Collection, owned by the After calling the state unreasonable, occurring about three times more often now
foundation a few years ago threatened to sell than they did 50 years ago. Due to changes
inconsistent, threatening, heavy-handed
and punitive, the foundation in a written in weather patterns, some regions are seeing
statement last week called for reconciliation an increasing risk for drought, while others
Editor’s note with the help of a mediator. That appears see an increasing tendency for floods. When
it does rain or snow, it is more likely to be a
to miss the crux. This isn’t a marriage
where spouses have equal power. A larger event than in the past.
In the minds of mid-April gardeners, this year’s garden will be the best ever. So far there museum foundation should be auxiliary Evidence continues to mount that large
are no weeds, no bugs, no heat or drought, no mistakes or regrets. Only seeds and great storms like hurricanes are growing stronger
to the institution. The ALPLM doesn’t and more destructive. These storms are
plans. This could be the year to plant more community gardens, to grow a crop of new need the foundation nearly as much as the producing heavier rain; their storm surges
gardeners and fresh friends. And to teach children beets are better when you pull them foundation needs the ALPLM, and if the are riding atop higher sea levels. In some
yourself, and to get adults to appreciate okra and turnips. In April anything is possible. Let foundation didn’t know that until last week, cases, they are lingering longer over land,
the adventure begin. –Fletcher Farrar, editor and CEO it should know it now. causing increased flooding and infrastructure
destruction.
Contact Bruce Rushton at brushton@illinoistimes.com. continued on page 4
April 8-14, 2021 | Illinois Times | 3
OPINION
Science calls for action
continued from page 3
Humans have long witnessed natural
disasters, but now we are seeing an increasing
intensity of such events. What were once very
rare events are now becoming more common.
The science shows that these increases in
unnatural disasters are happening because of
our changing climate. The changing climate
will have even larger impacts as these changes
and resulting impacts become larger over the
next few decades.
Scientists have long been studying these
changes to our climate and to severe events
and the factors driving these changes. The
evidence clearly shows that human activities
have been driving the changes in our climate,
especially as a result of emissions of carbon
dioxide and other gases and particles from
the use and burning of fossil fuels, and also
from land use change. An examination of
LETTERS evidence of ABA because of because of their membership in
the peer-reviewed science shows that there is
Complaint poem #6 We welcome letters. Please include
your full name, address and telephone
a bad experience as a child. that group, will “run the whole
essentially no debate in the science community
(by Mitch Hopper with slight Nonetheless, my child is happier area down,” you are showing
number. We edit all letters. Send them – this understanding is based on an extensive
tweaking by Jackie Jackson) to letters@illinoistimes.com.
and his life is changed for the your prejudice. number of measurements and associated
good. These discriminatory analyses using many different research tools.
We’re at your mercy, young turks! While self-advocates attitudes are why my Without action to slow down these
you see us old turds as old jerks! shouldn’t deny these incredible organization and more than changes, climate-related risks will continue
with your buzz words throughout outcomes, parents and providers 50 others formed the Illinois to grow. We need to stop acting as if climate
us nerds never doubt shouldn’t ignore the grievances Coalition for Fair Housing to change is a political issue. This is an important
your language is made up of smirks. AUTISM ADVOCATES issue that is affecting all of the people and
of autistic individuals who have support the passage of HB 2775,
Many families wake up one day other life on our planet. The real debate should
had bad experiences. ABA as a which will extend fair housing
It gives us ol’ seniors the blues with a diagnosis of autism they be how we find the right solutions to climate
field is still growing and making protections to tenants based on
to see how you youngsters abuse know nothing about (“Rather change and make sure we leave a legacy of
changes. All 50 states now cover their source of income, including
our English so strong than light it up blue…,” April 1).
ABA through Medicaid. If I have child support, veterans’ benefits hope for our children and grandchildren.
and what makes it so wrong They struggle to find answers and Being part of the Paris Agreement, the
a bad doctor, I switch doctors. and participation in the Housing
is you can’t even tie your own shoes! ways to help their child receive so far voluntary effort, enables the United
If I have a bad ABA therapist, Choice Voucher program. States to provide leadership in getting all
medically necessary care. They
I switch. It’s important that we Finally, the program was
My tech skills I know I’ll outlive – fight to get services and ensure countries to work with us in reducing the
dear friends, you will surely forgive don’t deny medical care when it renamed the Housing Choice emissions that affect future changes in climate.
their child is not excluded. Self-
but we oldies yet strive gives our children access to care Voucher program more than 20 This means transitioning our energy and
advocates (most of whom are
to do more than survive that will help them advocate for years ago. Continuing to call it transportation sectors, while continuing to
adults) haven’t been listened to
while you kiddies need hi-tech to live! themselves later in life. Section 8 is ignorant or worse. build our economy, to eventually eliminate
enough. On the other hand, it human-related emissions that drive the
At the end of the day, we Michelle Gilbert,
seems entirely unjust to assume changes in climate. We need to emphasize the
2021 Jacqueline Jackson should all listen to each other legal and policy director
that all of those on the spectrum development of pathways and technologies
and find ways to unite, not Lawyers’ Committee for Better
are able to speak for themselves that will allow us to make that transition. The
divide. Housing, Chicago
and that those who are have use of solar and other renewable sources of
David Warner
the same struggles. That’s why energy are continuing to increase and these
parents have a vital voice. While
Springfield EASTER EGG FAIL are having a positive impact on our economy.
we need to listen to the similar I enjoyed Ashley Meyer’s article Reducing emissions while not hurting jobs or
struggles of self-advocates, the DO BETTER on deviled Easter eggs (“Deviled the economy will be important. We also need
listening should go both ways. I was very disappointed to see the Easter eggs,” April 1). It brought to emphasize making our communities, our
gratuitous slur against Housing to mind a hilarious experience cities and our industries more climate-resilient
Parents should desire to hear the
Choice Voucher participants of attempting to make brightly even while we try to slow down future changes
experiences of self-advocates, and
in your April 1 cover story, colored deviled eggs in my in climate.
self-advocates need to respect the As a Rotarian, the four-way test is an
journey of parents. “Reimagining Downtown.” As early years of cooking. My idea
was to add food coloring to important part of my life. The science shows
For my family, I have a what I had always considered the
the filling, but the result was a that climate change is the truth. We need to
10-year-old autistic child. He progressive alternative in the seat ensure solutions that are fair to all, build good
recently started talking and of our state government, Illinois morbid Army green. Kathryn
will and better friendships, and are beneficial
expressing his wants and needs Times should be better than that. Rem, food writer for the SJ-R to all.
just this last summer, all because I recognize that you were at that time, featured my story
of Applied Behavior Analysis quoting someone, but exchange in her column – no doubt on Donald Wuebbles is the Harry E. Preble Professor
(ABA) therapy. He was extremely “Section 8” for any racial cooking disasters! It makes me of Atmospheric Science at the University of Illinois.
aggressive and those aggressions group and you would not have laugh to this day. He recently gave an invited presentation to the
published the quote. When you Carol Mullen University of Illinois Springfield and the World
are gone. Many adults on the
assume that any group of people, Springfield Affairs Council of Central Illinois on this topic.
spectrum flat out deny the
4 | www.illinoistimes.com | April 8-14, 2021
NEWS
Fired CWLP worker alleges discrimination
Mayor defends employment decisions
COURTS | Bruce Rushton
Mayor Jim Langfelder overruled his staff and In recommending that Dunlevy be fired,
didn’t fire a water meter reader, prompting a CWLP supervisors prepared a memo docu-
federal civil rights lawsuit from a former meter menting instances in which he’d fabricated
reader who was terminated and now accuses meter readings. Homeowners, including the
the city of disparate treatment based on race. owner of a vacant house, got unexpectedly
In his lawsuit, Andrew Dunlevy, fired in high water bills as a result, testified Donald
2018 after supervisors found that he’d falsi- Ott, retired CWLP superintendent of distri-
fied meter readings, says that he was treated bution and general services. “You don’t have
differently than Tour Murray, a City Water, to bend down,” he answered when a lawyer
Light and Power meter reader who stayed on during a deposition asked what motive a me-
the payroll after supervisors determined that ter reader would have to make up numbers.
he’d been taking two-hour lunch breaks and Langfelder terminated Dunlevy, but over-
otherwise not performing assigned duties for ruled a CWLP recommendation, received
three or more hours each day. Murray also lied about the same time, that Murray be fired.
on his job application, grounds for termina- The mayor testified that he hadn’t read a
tion, saying that he hadn’t been convicted of a memo prepared by CWLP supervisors who
crime despite having pled guilty to residential documented hours of missed work by Murray.
burglary. Langfelder in his deposition testified that he
Dunlevy is white; Murray is African believed the issue involved being 15 minutes
American. They were hired within days of late from lunch breaks and could be resolved
each other, with fates determined by the with additional training.
mayor as one-year probationary statuses came CWLP supervisors who reviewed GPS
to an end. Murray’s probation was extended tracking data determined that Murray, who
for six months, but he was not disciplined. was expected to start reading meters by 8 a.m.,
He remains on the city payroll at a salary of started as late as 9:40 a.m. and quit as early as
$42,323, nearly $10,000 more than he made 2:40 p.m. when the work day was supposed to
three years ago, when Langfelder overruled end at 3:30 p.m. Supervisors determined that
supervisors who said that Murray should be Murray had taken lunch breaks as long as two
fired. hours and was absent for about three hours
“The reason for the difference in treatment each day over a two-week period while meter
was because of the race of the two individuals readers had between 80 and 90 minutes of
involved,” writes John Baker, Dunlevy’s lawyer down time each day as they traveled between applicants and that he wasn’t concerned about both Murray and Dunlevy be fired and so did
in a lawsuit scheduled for a June trial. The city routes. Murray, a probationary employee, was Murray’s 2010 burglary conviction, even while not discriminate.
says that there’s no proof the mayor knew the not disciplined; CWLP chief utility engineer acknowledging that lying on a job application The city says that Murray’s conduct was
races of Murray or Dunlevy when he over- Doug Brown testified that a union member is grounds for dismissal. “(O)nce someone different than Dunlevy’s conduct that resulted
ruled CWLP supervisors. The city also says would have been suspended. is hired, you know, this is 2010, you know, in termination, and so comparing the two
that falsifying meter readings is different than “(T)he magnitude that it was explained time was served and you move on from there,” cases isn’t proper.
being absent during the work day. to me, it was 15 minutes or what have you,” Langfelder testified. “Mayor Langfelder offered a reasonable
Dunlevy claims that the mayor’s push to Langfelder testified. “I remember the discus- Ott testified that an employee told CWLP and honest reason why he treated the two
increase minority employment in city govern- sion being that 15 minutes extended lunch managers that Murray had shown someone differently,” Rahn writes in asking that the
ment resulted in discrimination. The city says time, and that was the extent of it. Again, I a gun in a city parking lot. The matter was case be dismissed. “Plaintiff was accused of
that the mayor acted fairly. had not seen the details of the write-up.” not pursued, Ott said, because the employee dishonesty in the performance of his job, i.e.
“Plaintiff suggests that the mayor’s concern Murray also had lied on his job applica- wouldn’t make a formal complaint. Langfelder entering false meter readings. Murray was ac-
about diversity in the workplace is evidence tion, saying that he hadn’t been convicted of testified that he never was made aware of any cused of misusing his time.”
that he intentionally discriminated,” writes a crime. Murray pleaded guilty to residential concerns about firearms. Dunlevy, hired by the state Department of
Steve Rahn, assistant corporation counsel, burglary in 2010 and served 53 days in the The mayor testified that the decision to Corrections as a prison guard in 2019, now
in asking that the case be dismissed. “An Sangamon County jail. CWLP brass was keep Murray was mutual between himself and earns $57,700 per year, more than he made
honorable and laudable concern for rectify- concerned about a convicted burglar entering CWLP, but he did not name anyone at the while working for the city. He is asking for
ing systemic discrimination is not evidence of homes to read basement meters, according to utility who agreed with him. Baker, the plain- $27,254 in lost wages, plus punitive damages,
intentional discrimination.” the memo recommending termination that tiff’s attorney, writes in a court motion that attorneys’ fees and compensation for emo-
The city’s motion to dismiss the case is was authored by Greg Yakle, a CWLP man- Brown and retired electric division manager tional distress.
pending. A trial has been set for June 29 ager who retired in 2019. John Davis should be dismissed as defendants
before U.S. District Court Judge Sue Myer- Langfelder testified that he trusted the because documents turned over since the Contact Bruce Rushton at
scough. city’s human resources department to vet job lawsuit was filed show that they recommended brushton@illinoistimes.com.
April 8-14, 2021 | Illinois Times | 5
NEWS
CREDIT ARBORDAY.ORG
Planting seeds, growing trees
Springfield wins a “Tree City” title
ENVIRONMENT | Madison Angell
The Arbor Day Foundation last month named mission was dissolved for nearly 10 years, but
Springfield a 2020 Tree City USA and granted was reestablished in 2019.
it a Growth Award for the community’s com- More trees in a community can improve
mitment to urban forest management. More mental health, boost creativity and spur busi-
than 150 Illinois towns and cities were granted ness activity, said Von Qualen. “Cities have
the title last year. The recognition means the both gray and green infrastructure and people
capital city has a public body dedicated to tend to focus on the gray infrastructure,” but
trees, a tree-care ordinance, an annual budget the green is just as important, she said. So
of at least $2 per capita for community for- “part of the UFC’s role is to advocate in favor
estry as well as an Arbor Day proclamation or of the forest.”
observance. A conservationist from Chicago also spoke
Jeff Reim has worked in Springfield as the during the UIS webinar and focused on the
city’s arborist for more than five years. Arbor- long list of benefits trees bring to urban areas.
ists are like tree doctors. Springfield residents Concrete traps heat in cities and creates hot
can call the city to report a sick or broken tree spots. Shade from trees can cool houses and
and Reim goes out to the location and gives buildings. Forests can slow runoff from rainfall
his prognosis. Then he writes a city work order and capture water, decreasing the chance of
based on what the tree needs. Reim also ap- flooding and overwhelmed sewer systems.
proves permits for landscaping in Springfield. Springfield Mayor Jim Langfielder
But tree removal is the “last resort,” said Reim praised community members and UFC for
during a University of Illinois Springfield their ongoing commitment to conservation.
(UIS) webinar March 31. “The Urban Forestry Commission has been
“What it boils down to is looking at working diligently for the last year and a
the location before trees are planted,” said half with Public Works to enhance the city’s
Reim. Tree selection is important as well. For efforts regarding tree preservation, planning
instance, Reim said Springfield has more than and beautification,” the mayor said in a press
2,000 ash trees, which are considered undesir- release.
able. That’s because emerald ash borers, a type The UFC has partnered with UIS, Reim
of beetle that feeds and lives under the bark of and others to host events sponsored by the
ash trees, causes the trees to die. “All the ash National Endowment for the Arts’ “Big Read.”
trees are being hit by the emerald ash borer The events are tied to themes in Hope Jahren’s
disease so they are all being taken out at this book, Lab Girl. Free copies of the book were
time,” said Reim. handed out at different locations in Sangamon
The Urban Forestry Commission (UFC) County and local libraries have copies avail-
collaborates with Reim and Springfield’s able for checkout. More information on NEA
Department of Public Works to preserve and events this month can be found at tinyurl.
expand urban tree and shrub growth on pub- com/ktdf5v2w.
lic property, said Jan Von Qualen, the chair of
Springfield’s UFC. UFC commissioners are Contact Madison Angell at
volunteers appointed by the mayor. The com- mangell@illinoistimes.com.
6 | www.illinoistimes.com | April 8-14, 2021
April 8-14, 2021 | Illinois Times | 7
NEWS
Opioid deaths rise in Illinois
Experts say fentanyl and pandemic have worsened drug epidemic
PUBLIC HEALTH | Madison Angell
“In all my years I have never at the hearing that the number of
seen anything like fentanyl,” opioid-related deaths rose 27% for
said Marnell Brown. He is the African Americans and 48% for Latinx
founder of a harm reduction populations across the state in 2020.
organization focused on drug Brown said occasionally To Walk in
use and violence prevention in My Shoes has access to fentanyl-testing
Chicago. Brown has been in strips. The organization gives the strips
recovery for nearly two decades, to drug users and dealers to prevent
and said he has been working overdoses and deaths. Brown said he
in prevention for about the has found African American people
same amount of time. Fentanyl are receptive to using the tests, but
is a synthetic opioid that’s 50 others coming to Chicago from other
to 100 times more potent than counties or suburban areas of the city
morphine. Brown testified are dismissive of the strips and some are
during an Illinois Senate actually actively seeking fentanyl. Brown
hearing March 30. said in his neighborhood, he finds more
The number of opioid- predominantly white and younger
related deaths in Illinois jumped individuals are knowingly seeking
30% last year compared to and using fentanyl. “It has become a
2019 and about 83% of problem of humanity,” said Brown, “not
opioid deaths were attributed just an African American problem.”
to fentanyl, according to Advocates like Brown say more
preliminary numbers from the funding and increased public awareness
Illinois Department of Public are needed to prevent deaths. With a
Health (IDPH). well-informed community and rapid-
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid response teams in place, lives can be
that treats pain, is legally saved and treatment can be provided,
prescribed in small doses, in he said.
the form of a shot, lozenge or During the hearing, others
skin patch. Other forms of the Two donation boxes for the funerals of victims of fentanyl-overdose deaths advocated harsher penalties for drug
drug – pills, powder, eye drops sit at Brown’s store. CREDIT: MARNELL BROWN dealers and manufacturers of illicit
and nasal sprays – are illegally drugs cut with fentanyl. In DuPage
produced in labs. Even small County accidental drug-induced deaths
doses of fentanyl can be deadly are referred by the county coroner
and illegal forms of the drug related deaths and funeral donation boxes to the state’s attorney for further
can be easily mixed in with other drugs as a are increasing. Brown said he believes the investigation. Since 2015, 17 cases have been
filler. Brown said some dealers are unaware overdoses have gone increasingly unnoticed, pursued and 13 led to drug-induced homicide
that drugs they sell are cut with fentanyl. because people have been more isolated during convictions. One case was dismissed and
Fentanyl overdoses cause hypoxia, a condition the pandemic. He also believes coroners three are pending. That’s according to Bob
that stops oxygen from reaching the brain. sometimes fail to rule fentanyl as the cause of Berlin, DuPage County state’s attorney. Some
Narcan is the brand name for a device that deaths, accidents and overdoses. advocates seeking justice for drug-related
delivers naloxone, a drug that instantly reverses Brown has found that some substance users deaths were in support of the state adopting
overdose effects and saves lives. Brown and have no idea they are ingesting fentanyl, and the same model for investigations.
other harm reduction specialists advocate that experience accidental overdoses and deaths Those at the hearing recognized the
Narcan be made more widely available. as a result. His team worked with a man this importance of extended-recovery services
Brown also said the number of people year who thought he’d purchased and ingested and addiction treatment. When people are
affected by addiction and fentanyl has been PCP, a hallucinogenic anesthetic, but it was admitted to hospitals due to an overdose, some
hidden by COVID-19. Brown’s organization, laced with fentanyl and he overdosed. The are released and leave the hospitals under a 48-
called To Walk in My Shoes, has an outreach team was able to intervene and administer hour observational period. A bill extending in-
team that monitors police scanners and helps Narcan. “So he came through,” said Brown patient and safety-net coverage was approved
assist in overdoses and drug-related deaths at the hearing. State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, by the Illinois Senate health committee March
in Chicago. Brown also allows community D-Chicago, said during the health committee 31. The bill would require hospitals to offer
members to set up funeral donation boxes at hearing that a former business partner of in-person treatment for up to two days after a
the clothing store he owns for those who have hers was not as fortunate. He had purchased person is admitted because of an overdose.
died from overdoses. Since COVID-19, the unregulated cannabis in Ohio. It was laced
outreach team has heard less over scanners, with fentanyl and the man died. Contact Madison Angell at
said Brown. But the number of opioid- IDPH data analyst Leslie Wise said mangell@illinoistimes.com.
8 | www.illinoistimes.com | April 8-14, 2021
Full speed ahead
Sheriff pushes for armored vehicle
LAW ENFORCEMENT | Bruce Rushton
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell armored vehicle bearing deputies pulled
says that he remains committed to up to the edge of the mobile home’s yard,
bringing an armored vehicle to the sheriff’s Campbell says.
department despite opposition from the That such incidents happen infrequently
Faith Coalition for the Common Good. shows that the department doesn’t need an
“This is an important issue to me because armored vehicle, says Shelly Heideman, Faith
I’m afraid the vehicle will be used against Coalition executive director. “If that happens
peaceful demonstrators and deaths may once in a blue moon, why can’t you call the
result,” Susan Allen, a coalition member, told National Guard?” Heideman asks. Campbell
county board members at a March board says that would take too long.
meeting. “I’ve seen news coverage of these “They’re not available at the drop of a
vehicles advancing toward protestors, and it’s hat,” the sheriff says. “Everyone knows there’s
frightening. It reminds me of a totalitarian a lot of red tape with the military.”
regime.” Campbell says that he would not have
Campbell says that he’s spoken to deployed an armored vehicle in response
members of the coalition and Black Lives to protests in Springfield last year after the
Matter about his plans. “We’ve had several death of George Floyd. “It would be an
conversations,” Campbell says. “We just extreme situation before we would deploy
have a difference of opinion. I believe our it in a situation like that,” the sheriff said.
intent is not to patrol with this or use it “The only reason would be a viable threat
against peaceful protestors.” The department of someone firing shots.” Appearances in
currently doesn’t have a vehicle capable of parades, also, would be a possibility. “I think
stopping a round from a high-powered rifle, I would be in favor of that,” Campbell said.
he said. “It lets the public see it.”
“This is for protecting the people of Campbell says he doesn’t know when
the county and protecting our deputies,” the county might acquire a vehicle. The one
Campbell said. in Nevada that the department covets must
Campbell has his eye on an Army surplus be moved to a different location before the
armored vehicle that’s designed to withstand sheriff’s office could pick it up, Campbell
mine blasts. The department sent someone said. Costs would be limited to transportation
to Nevada last year to look at available expenses. In the case of the vehicle acquired
models and settled on one that weighs about in 2014, the department paid $6,400
half what the department once had. The in transportation costs. The vehicle was,
department’s previous vehicle, also designed essentially, brand new, with 764 miles on
to protect occupants from mines and the odometer. It arrived in Springfield still
gunfire, was acquired in 2014 and disposed bearing a window sticker showing the original
of in 2016, after the late Wes Barr defeated purchase price as $733,000.
Campbell and became sheriff. The vehicle is Such a vehicle, Heideman says, undercuts
now owned by the LaSalle County sheriff’s efforts to build trust and community policing.
office, which says that it’s handy for rescuing “We should be building relationships
folks from floods, barreling through blizzards with the community, not riding around in an
and responding to shots-fired calls. armored vehicle trying to intimidate people,”
“This is a rescue-and-deliver vehicle,” Heideman says. “I think there’s too big an
Campbell says. In Sangamon County, opportunity for it to be misused.”
Campbell says, an armored vehicle would A bill passed this year and signed by Gov.
be used for such duties as delivering phones JB Pritzker restricts police departments from
to barricaded gunmen and keeping cops out acquiring armored vehicles from the military,
of harm’s way. The sole deployment of the but the restrictions don’t apply to vehicles with
county’s previous vehicle came when a man wheels as opposed to tracks and vehicles that
with a gun threatened people at a Riverton- don’t have affixed weapons, and so the vehicle
area mobile home court. “He would step sought by the sheriff isn’t covered.
out of the mobile home and point a gun,”
Campbell recalls. “We tried to negotiate Contact Bruce Rushton at
with him.” The man surrendered when the brushton@illinoistimes.com.
April 8-14, 2021 | Illinois Times | 9
NEWS
ISBE: This is no time to drop school aid reform
Education advocates call on governor to increase budget for schools
EDUCATION | Rachel Otwell
Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed no increase
in funding for education for the 2022 fiscal
year, which begins in July. That’s a result of
increasingly limited state dollars due to the
pandemic. Education dollars did not see an
increase for the current fiscal year either. But
education advocates and officials say more is
needed. Through a law adopted in 2017, the
state promised to follow a formula for more
equitable education funding, and proponents
for it say skipping another year would have
long-term costs that can’t be justified by
short-term savings.
During an April 1 hearing, the Illinois
State Board of Education (ISBE) advocated
a funding increase of $406.5 million. “We
strongly believe this budget recommenda-
tion is necessary to provide the resources
our schools, educators and students need
to continue to recover equitably from the
COVID-19 pandemic,” ISBE chairman Dar-
ren Reisberg told legislators at the hearing, as
reported by Capitol News Illinois.
Most of the increase requested would go
toward the so-called evidence-based funding
(EBF) formula from 2017, which promised
to bring all districts in the state up to 90%
1240 S. 6th, Springfield, IL 62703 • PO Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705 adequate funding over the following decade.
Office phone 217.753.2226 • Fax 217.753.2281
www.illinoistimes.com The formula calls for the state to increase its April report on the EBF model that uses data term.
Letters to the editor letters@illinoistimes.com
EBF contribution by $350 million per year. to show how gaps will widen if school fund- The Advance Illinois report argues the
PUBLISHER Michelle Ownbey The formula makes clear that there have been ing remains the same for a second year. state should honor investments promised be-
mownbey@illinoistimes.com, ext.1139
deep disparities in dollars spent per student In its first years, the EBF formula was fore the pandemic, and give at least a $350
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER James Bengfort by local school districts, based on factors like working to close funding gaps. But a lack of million increase to the formula each year.
jbengfort@illinoistimes.com, ext.1142
location, family income and race. Under the funding would set progress back, according to “The cost of fully funding EBF is high,”
EDITOR Fletcher Farrar ffarrar@illinoistimes.com, ext.1140 Advance Illinois. Its report found that 50% said Melissa Figueira, with Advance Illinois.
new state school aid formula more dollars
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Rachel Otwell are supposed to flow to the most cash-poor of public school students statewide, and the She said in all, up to $7 billion is needed to
rotwell@illinoistimes.com, ext. 1143
districts. “vast majority” of Hispanic/Latinx and Black close the gap and reach the full amount of
SENIOR WRITER Bruce Rushton Adequate funding is based on a formula students, are in school districts that need funding needed. “But the cost of failing to
brushton@illinoistimes.com, ext.1122
that considers what districts need to provide more than 30% more funding to provide adequately and equitably fund the formula
CALENDAR EDITOR Stacie Lewis a high-quality education. Costs like instruc- high-quality education. is far higher.” Costs could include increased
slewis@illinoistimes.com, ext.1129
tional materials, employee benefits and stu- The pandemic has also meant schools failures to meet students’ needs and hikes in
EDITORIAL INTERN Madison Angell
mangell@illinoistimes.com dent activities are factors. Schools are largely have greater funding needs, from more staff local property taxes, she said. The failure to
funded by property taxes and, as a result, to updated ventilation systems. Chuck Lane, increase spending could also mean Illinois
PRODUCTION DESIGNERS
Joseph Copley, jcopley@illinoistimes.com, ext.1125 less is spent on students in poorer districts, superintendent for Centralia High School in jobs in education are less attractive.
Brandon Turley, bturley@illinoistimes.com, ext.1124 leading to systemic inequity. The formula is southern Illinois, said extra pandemic relief “State investment, we believe, is needed
ADVERTISING meant to account for those differences, by from the federal government is going toward to ensure that our students who were hard-
Beth Parkes-Irwin, birwin@illinoistimes.com, ext.1131 necessary costs. “It’s not like we don’t appreci- est hit by the pandemic have the increased
Yolanda Bell, ybell@illinoistimes.com, ext.1120
making up with state funds what is lacking in
Ron Young, ryoung@illinoistimes.com, ext.1138 local funds. ate the amount of federal dollars flowing to access to learning time, support, staffing and
BUSINESS Despite the state’s commitment to our school, it’s just that we know that’s not opportunities that they need to recover,”
Brenda Matheis, bmatheis@illinoistimes.com pay into the EBF formula and reach 90% sustainable.” For instance, Lane said federal ISBE’s Reisberg told legislators April 1. A
Published weekly on Thursday. Copyright 2021 by Central Illinois adequate funding across the state by 2027, relief money can go towards hiring new final budget vote is likely still several weeks
Communications LLC. CEO Fletcher Farrar. All rights reserved. the formula was already “flat-funded” by the teachers to help address pandemic-related away.
Reproduction in any form without permission is prohibited.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: state for the current fiscal year due to the learning challenges, but if the state chooses
Illinois Times, P.O. Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: illinoistimes.com./subscribe pandemic. Advance Illinois, a nonprofit that not to fund EBF, he questions how he would Contact Rachel Otwell at
lobbies for education reforms, released an be able to keep those teachers in the long rotwell@illinoistimes.com.
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April 8-14, 2021 | Illinois Times | 11FEATURE
Can cops say that?
Police in trouble over divisive social media posts
POLICING | Mary Hansen, NPR Illinois
Facebook posts by two Springfield police officers Officer Andrew Barnes criticized the city’s two affairs documents show Barnes wasn’t the only “We talk about building trust all the time,
last year harmed police operations and com- Black city council members. In a post on his officer in trouble over use of social media at and those particular statements did not build
munity relations. That was the conclusion of personal Facebook page, Barnes called Ald. the time. In a previously unreported incident, trust,” said Robert Moore, a retired U.S. marshal
internal affairs investigations by the city police Shawn Gregory a “fucking idiot.” Barnes was Officer Todd Schwehr responded on Facebook and chair of the criminal justice committee for
department, as well as reactions from capital city pushing back on comments made by Gregory to an image of demonstrators blocking a truck the Illinois NAACP. While the post by Schwehr
activists working to improve the relationship and then-Ald. Doris Turner in which the two on a highway. Schwehr encouraged violence was not reported by the media until now, the
between law enforcement and the people they criticized how police responded to block parties against the demonstrators, according to docu- situation with Barnes took the efforts toward
serve. in Gregory’s majority-Black ward. ments obtained by NPR Illinois through a public better police-community relationships a step
In a widely reported incident last May, Springfield Police Department internal records request. back, said Moore.
12 | www.illinoistimes.com | April 8-14, 2021Following the internal affairs investigations, brought to our attention, they voluntarily took happened last spring and summer, said Will over how police were regularly trying to disperse
the police department suspended Barnes for 15 the action that was necessary and I applaud Aitchison, an attorney who represents police impromptu parties on the city’s east side.
days and mandated he undergo anger manage- them for that,” Moore said of police officials. and firefighter unions in the Pacific Northwest. Around the same time police were regularly
ment and community-relations training. The Sunshine Clemons, co-founder of Black Aitchison also heads an information service for intervening over the gatherings on the city’s
department suspended Schwehr for four days. Lives Matter (BLM) Springfield, said she was public safety unions. majority-Black part of town, police on May
The Police Benevolent and Protective Asso- disappointed that a police officer would share Officers “believe that their profession has 20 closed down streets for the majority-white
ciation #5, the union that represents Springfield sentiments as violent and divisive as what was come under attack wrongly, that the public dia- protestors demonstrating against Gov. JB
police officers, declined to comment on behalf posted on Facebook by Schwehr. She agreed that logue generalizes from the specific to everybody Pritzker’s stay-at-home order to curb the spread
of Barnes and Schwehr. A spokesman for the po- it was good the post was turned in and said she in a way that is inappropriate,” Aitchison said. of the coronavirus. A few hundred demonstra-
lice department declined to answer questions on hopes the discipline deters other officers from “And they want to defend their profession and tors marched with a police escort from the Bank
the incidents, saying they are personnel issues, making similar social media posts. But she said their co-workers.” of Springfield Center, where members of the
but did offer that the department is committed if anti-racism training was not also a part of the Aitchison said this need to defend them- Illinois House were meeting, to the Statehouse,
to improving community relations. response from the police department, “that was selves combined with confusion about their First where the Illinois Senate was in session. Many
The officers made the Facebook posts during a genuine missed opportunity.” Amendment rights as public employees – as well noted the stark contrast of treatment when com-
a time when Black Lives Matter demonstrators pared to law enforcement breaking up outdoor
were taking to the streets in Springfield and gatherings on streets and in parks in Ald. Shawn
around the country after the police killing of Gregory’s Ward 2.
George Floyd, a Black man, in Minneapolis on “The feeling in my community is, ‘Well,
May 25. Derek Chauvin, the white police officer dang, our police officers come and block off the
who kneeled on Floyd’s neck, currently stands streets for people who ain’t even from Spring-
trial on charges of manslaughter, second-degree field, Illinois, and make us go home,’” Gregory
murder and third-degree murder. And once said at the May 26 council meeting last year.
again, the public is debating how to improve Gregory said he didn’t condone the parties, but
police-community relations as well as the residents were asking for “equal application of
responsibility of police to de-escalate situations the law.” The criticism was repeated by Ald.
before they turn deadly. Attorneys who follow Kristin DiCenso and Ald. Turner.
police discipline and First Amendment issues Turner broadened the criticism and said
say scrutiny of public comments by officers is she’d heard reports of parties and gatherings
heightened during times of civil unrest, such throughout the city, but police were only giving
as last spring and summer when protests were dispersal orders on the east side of town. This
ongoing and many demonstrators were met by was at a time when rules put in place to address
police brutality. the pandemic banned gatherings of more than
10 people. “We cannot continue to in one
“WIDE OPEN THROTTLE” breath hold ourselves up as the city of Abraham
On June 2, Officer Schwehr responded to a post Lincoln and everything that that stands for, but
on Facebook that showed a group of demonstra- not stand up and take a stand when this type of
tors on a highway in front of a truck. Disrupt- Ald. Shawn Gregory speaks before a Black Lives Matter car procession in May of 2020. Black Lives Matter Spring-
inequity is going on,” Turner said at the May 26
ing traffic is a protest tactic that has been used field co-founder Sunshine Clemons holds up a megaphone. PHOTO BY MARY HANSEN council meeting.
during civil rights uprisings for decades, such Police Chief Kenny Winslow defended the
as the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965. police response, saying the protests were con-
Schwehr wrote the following: stitutionally protected. “This is different from
“THIS has GOT TO stop! This is terrorism. “There is long, deep-rooted history of as nonexistent or poorly defined social media people parked in the middle (of the) road, get-
What the hell is this driver supposed to do. His antagonism and antagonistic behavior between policies from their employers – are reasons some ting out, partying, drunk,” Winslow said at the
choices are. Stop and possibly die. Murder every- police and many minority communities, not police officers post to Facebook or Twitter in time. “They’re just two totally different things.”
one. Wtf. My current employment keeps me from just Black people,” Clemons said. “There’s a lot ways that get them in trouble. Hours later, Barnes – a 15-year veteran of the
commenting. But as a friend of mine once said. of work and healing that needs to happen. And After explaining that, as public employees, department who often patrolled the east side –
WIDE OPEN THROTTLE.” posts like that create resistance and make people police officers have narrower First Amendment posted to Facebook: “Shawn Gregory is fucking
Schwehr was written up the next day. The not want to work towards that.” rights to comment publicly on current events, idiot.” In the post, he said the block parties had
ensuing internal affairs investigation took two On May 31, days before Schwehr made his Aitchison said he encourages officers to think turned violent, partiers threw things at officers
and a half months to complete, and it noted Facebook comment, BLM Springfield organized twice about what they share on social media. and that crowds in the street could have blocked
he was on duty when he made the comments. a procession with thousands of cars that went “Ask yourself before you make a post, do I emergency responders. In the comments of the
The police department determined Schwehr around the county building and into the city’s really need to be saying this? Think about what post, Barnes suggested sending partiers to Ald.
had violated its social media policy and the post east side to protest the killing of Floyd in Min- the consequences of that post might be,” he Doris Turner’s ward. Turner represented parts
“impaired” the work of the department. The neapolis and systemic racism. On June 1, high said of the advice he gives law enforcement. of the east and north side before taking an ap-
department suspended Schwehr for four days in school students led a march and rally in front “Public safety employees are going to be more pointment to the state Senate earlier this year.
late August and early September, which he used of the state Capitol. Several thousand residents susceptible to discipline than any other type of Gregory and Turner said the vitriol over their
“comp time” for, according to the documents. attended the events. Though there were intelli- employee. They better know that, they’d better criticism of law enforcement spilled over from
That the police department has a social gence reports about potential violence in Spring- understand that.” public posts to their personal lives. Gregory said
media policy that it’s enforcing is a good thing, field and police urged people to stay at home, he received threatening messages. For instance,
said Moore, who meets with Springfield police the looting and violent police interactions that Facebook fallout one person sent an anonymous message telling
leadership throughout the year as part of his happened in other cities last year didn’t occur in A Facebook post that came under public Gregory, “man my knee is cold … need some
work with the civil rights organization, NAACP. Springfield. scrutiny last spring was a comment by Officer nice warm garbage flesh to press it against” –
“Without (media) coverage, without having Police officers’ behavior is scrutinized Barnes that disparaged the Black members of according to a screenshot reviewed by NPR Illi-
meetings about it, or without it even being more closely during times of unrest like what city council. He made it in reaction to criticism nois. Gregory said he shared comments from the
April 8-14, 2021 | Illinois Times | 13FEATURE
Can cops say that? Social media stumbling
Police officers from across the country have
“The general test is that government em-
ployees have First Amendment rights to speak
Reforming police-community relationships
The Springfield Police Department has
continued from page 13 gotten into trouble for what they say or share on on what are called matters of public concern, as made strides in recruiting and hiring more
social media. A joint investigation of Injustice long as they’re speaking as a private citizen, and officers of color, Moore said – which is
Watch and Buzzfeed reported on a database of it doesn’t affect the functioning of their office,” one needed step in the right direction. The
verified Facebook accounts of police officers in Geronimo said. Then, the court weighs the number of police officers who are people of
eight cities created by a group of Philadelphia value of the speech against the harm the speech color has increased from 17 in 2013 to 29
person with the police chief and detectives. Both does to the functioning of the department.
attorneys. The investigation examined racist in 2021, according to city numbers. Moore
Gregory and Turner said they bought additional Geronimo said if an officer’s account clearly
and violent posts by officers that the attorneys consulted with the department in 2016 and
security cameras for their homes. identifies them as law enforcement, for example
said undermine trust in law enforcement. Police 2017, in part on how to make the depart-
Amid mounting tension, Springfield Mayor with photos in uniform, then the court may not
resignations over controversial social media posts ment more inclusive. And he said the com-
Jim Langfelder, the police chief and other top see the post as coming from a private citizen. He
have made repeated headlines. mitment by police leadership is solid, but
brass met with Turner, Gregory, Moore and said an example of a strong claim for protected
The Springfield Police Department instituted there’s still work to be done.
other faith and community leaders to listen speech would be if an officer had a personal ac-
a new social media policy in January 2018. “We need the community to have a better
to and address some of the concerns the same count with no indication he was in law enforce-
Officers can express themselves on social media relationship with our officers that patrol our
week Barnes posted to Facebook. Gregory said ment, and posted about supporting a particular
“as private citizens,” the policy notes, “to the cities, and our precincts, and our roadways,”
he wanted city leaders to understand that call- political candidate. If a department disciplined
degree that their speech does not impair work- Moore said. One of the 10 Shared Princi-
ing out the two African American city council the officer for that, the officer would likely win
ing relationships of this department, impede ples, released in 2018, which he helped cre-
people at that time, the way Barnes did, could a court challenge of the discipline. Outside of
the performance of duties, or impair discipline ate with the Illinois NAACP and the Illinois
lead to “serious outrage” from the Black com- those circumstances, Geronimo said it would be
and harmony among co-workers.” The policy Association of Chiefs of Police, is developing
munity. difficult to make a case.
prohibits Springfield police from using “obscene relationships on a “street level” and having
Langfelder and Winslow promised to re- Policing should be fair and nondiscriminato-
or sexually explicit language, images or acts and police officers interact with the community
search cultural competency training for officers ry, said Rebecca Glenberg, a senior staff attorney
statements or other forms of speech that ridi- outside of instances where they are respond-
and to meet with a wider group of community with the American Civil Liberties Union of
cule, malign, disparage or otherwise express bias ing to alleged crimes. Moore said he’d like
leaders about ways to improve police-com- Illinois. And if an officer posts something racist
against any race, and religion, or any protected to see a similar commitment from the police
munity relations. City officials acknowledged or misogynistic, “it certainly creates a percep-
class of individuals.” The rules also bar officers union to building better relationships.
Barnes’ post on Friday, May 29, and announced tion in the community that they are not capable
from using photos of uniforms or department “Community relations involves every offi-
he had been put on desk duty pending further of enforcing the law fairly and equitably.” That
logos without explicit permission from the cer and some of the best examples include our
investigation. impairs the ability of the police to do their jobs,
chief ’s office. Breaking the rules can lead to officers who go out on their own to meet with
“On behalf of the men and women of the and would therefore not be protected speech
“progressive discipline.” members in their communities,” said Stuen-
Springfield Police Department, I’m deeply sorry under the First Amendment, said Glenberg.
Springfield’s union has challenged the kel, on behalf of the city police department,
for what my officer did. He messed up and I Still, Aitchison said the media and public’s
discipline case against Barnes, which is pending, in an emailed statement. He said in addition
will hold him accountable,” Winslow said at the “laser-like focus” on officers’ social media has,
according to Deputy Chief Joshua Stuenkel, a to police officers walking neighborhoods and
council meeting the following Tuesday, June 2. among other factors, led to a recruitment and
spokesperson for the Springfield Police Depart- talking to residents, the department encour-
Winslow also gave an impassioned speech in retention crisis in law enforcement. He pointed
ment. The union declined to answer questions ages officers to serve as mentors in schools,
defense of police that night, in response to both to a Northern Illinois University survey of law
about why it disagrees with the discipline and while the police union holds events like a toy
the outrage over the Facebook post and weekend enforcement officers that found they were much
what outcome it’s seeking. drive for kids at Christmas.
protests. “We’re not perfect. Our community’s more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress
Officers or unions can sue over discipline over While the police union declined to
not perfect, but we’re damn good,” Winslow disorder, anxiety and depression than the general
social media posts as a violation of officers’ consti- answer questions sent by NPR Illinois about
said during city council. “We have a damn good public. It also found that the majority of officers
tutional rights to free speech. But both Aitchison, the Facebook postings by officers Barnes and
police department.” Winslow also voiced his surveyed said they would not recommend the
the lawyer who represents police unions on the Schwehr, the dispute over the disciplinary
disapproval of the killing of Floyd by Chauvin. profession to their children. “The more that we
A spokesman for the police department west coast, and Andrew Geronimo, director of make that job unattractive, including the whole case against Barnes is still pending.
declined to answer recent questions from NPR the First Amendment clinic at Case Western issue of restricting social media posts or what-
Illinois about if or when Barnes returned to Reserve University School of Law in Ohio, say it ever it might be, the worse that crisis is going to Mary Hansen of Springfield is a reporter for
patrol duty on the east side or elsewhere. is very difficult to win those cases. get,” said Aitchison. NPR Illinois.
14 | www.illinoistimes.com | April 8-14, 2021You can also read
