[Peace] Urbana's legend: "Homeless" Bill Waldon

[Karen Medina]

Homeless Bill Waldon will be in court Friday, 1:15pm in courtroom J on
the second floor.

Bill has been sleeping in the City of Urbana building. The city has
requested that Bill get a medical examination, a legal guardian
appointed, and the city is considering having Bill involuntary
committed to an institution.

See the full explanation below.

See first the News-Gazette columnist Jim Dey's article Saturday, July 16, 2011.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Christopher Evans

The City of Urbana will begin the process of removing (see
News-Gazette columnist Jim Dey's article from Saturday's New-Gazette,
July 16, 2011) Homeless Bill Waldon, who has been living in our
community for 30 years, from his current night time residence at the
Urbana City Building...

Tomorrow, Friday, at 1:15 p.m. in Courtroom J on the second floor.

Bill's court-appointed attorney is Andrew W.B. Bequette (pronounced
BECK-ETT), the attorney's phone number is 217-253-2383, and his email
is:  andrew at beckettwebber.com

Mr. Bequette has informed me that members of the community who know
and care about Bill may be given a chance to testify at any hearing
that involves Bill's involuntary commitment to an institution. Mr.
Bequette seems to be a reasonable enough attorney and was conducting
his own investigation this morning starting with an interview of Bill
at the city building. Bequette seems willing to seek the advice of
people in the community who have known Bill and if you have thoughts
and recommendations you think Mr. Bequette should know, I encourage
you to send him an email if you have time.

Bequette believes that at this time, motions are going to be made that
Bill be mandated to get a "medical evaluation" and that this medical
evaluation will occur at the Danville Veteran's Hospital in Danville,
according to the Family Resource Senior Center. There is also going to
be a motion that Bill be appointed a "legal guardian" who will be
given authority to oversee Bill's affairs and make decisions on Bill's
behalf. At this time, former Champaign County Sherriff Joe Brown has
been appointed Bill's caseworker, and Brown is representing the Family
Resource Center.

I have advised Mr. Bequette that a medical evaluation (Bill's need for
medical treatment from time to time is not disputed) could be done
locally at Carle Hospital and that Bill probably has an attending
physician who has seen Bill before. Mr. Bequette said he may look into
that if he has time between now and the hearing tomorrow. I have also
advised Mr. Bequette that Bill's behavior does not meet the criteria
for involuntary commitment which he said he would take into
consideration.

Bequette admitted that whatever happens, the likely outcome is that
"things will not be the same."- which I take to mean Bill's ability to
sleep at the City Building is coming to a close. It should be said
there has not been any legal papers filed yet to demand an involuntary
commitment, only that Bill submit to a medical evaluation and a legal
guardian be appointed.

Bill has two sisters, who both live far away and both have indicated
they agree to the legal actions being taken but are not able to step
up to be declared Bill's legal guardian.

If you are interested in this matter, I encourage you to send an
email, or phone call to his attorney, or attend the hearing tomorrow.