[Peace] CALL TO ACTION - threat to "Eliminate Justice" in Champaign County

[Randall Cotton]

A new proposal by Champaign County Board member Steve Beckett includes the
elimination of the Champaign County Justice and Social Service Committee.
This is a standing committee of the Board (one of six) that has
historically been responsible for the oversight of the Champaign County
Nursing Home and has focused attention on issues regarding the court
system including State's Attorney, public defenders, coroner and a variety
of social services such as the Mental Health Board, Head Start, senior
services, Children's Advocacy Center and more.

Most recently, the Justice and Social Service Committee has put together a
committee to study minority underrepresentation on juries in Champaign
County. The Citizens Advisory Committee on Jury Selection is scheduled to
be approved at this Thursday's regular Champaign County Board meeting.

But now, right on the heels of removing Nursing Home oversight from
"Justice" (the shorthand name for the Justice & Social Services committee)
and just as the Citizens Advisory Committee on Jury Selection is set to be
approved, Beckett is proposing to "Eliminate Justice" (yes, that's
actually a direct quote from the header of every page of his proposal).

There are other measures in Beckett's proposal, but the scrubbing of
"Justice" is by far the most extreme. Beckett attempts to justify his
proposal by citing the "current financial strain", thought it would only
save "per diem" costs that compensate committee members when they attend
meetings.

I've attached a copy of Beckett's proposal, which he was required to
distribute to all Champaign County Board members ahead of time since they
alter the Board's rules document:

Please contact your Champaign County Board representatives and encourage
them to oppose eliminating the Justice & Social Services Committee.

Contact information for all Board members is at:
http://www.co.champaign.il.us/COUNTYBD/cbmembers.pdf

County Board district maps are at:
http://www.champaigncountyclerk.com/elections/maps/county_board_maps.html

But perhaps most effective would be for folks to attend the meetings where
this will be discussed and speak out about it

*IMPORTANT*
February 17 (Tuesday, TOMORROW) 5:30PM
Champaign County Board Democratic Caucus meeting
Room 2 (Jenny Putman meeting room) - right after you walk in the doors
from the parking lot
Brookens Administrative Center, 1776 East Washington St, Urbana
This a public meeting subject to the Open Meetings Act with opportunity
for public comment

*MORE IMPORTANT*
February 19 (Thursday) 7PM
Champaign County Board regular monthly meeting
Lyle Shields Meeting Room
Brookens Administrative Center, 1776 East Washington St, Urbana
This a public meeting subject to the Open Meetings Act with opportunity
for public comment
Agenda for this meeting is at:
http://www.co.champaign.il.us/COUNTYBD/CB/090219agenda.pdf
(NOTE: Beckett's proposal is NOT on the agenda, but opposition can be
voiced during public comment)

*MOST IMPORTANT*
March 4 (Wednesday) 7PM
Champaign County Board Policy, Personnel and Appointments Committee
Lyle Shields Meeting Room
Brookens Administrative Center, 1776 East Washington St, Urbana
This a public meeting subject to the Open Meetings Act with opportunity
for public comment
Agenda for this meeting will appear by noon on Friday, February 27th at:
http://www.co.champaign.il.us/COUNTYBD/ppaagenda.htm#ppa
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