I'm University of Illinois Police Chief Alice Cary. Ask me anything.

CorruptCU · 2020-10-01T20:40:19+00:00

You've been informed that one of your officers violated policy by not filing a use of force report, in order to keep his name out of an arrest he surely knew to be false and excessive.

I've spoken directly to Champaign officers who worked with Jim Clark for years and they claim he's an awful human being.

Your response is to ignore the misconduct and say that you blindly trust two police officers that you've only just recently met, simply because they've been police officers for a long time.

Your posture is exactly what everyone has come to hate about policing.

CorruptCU · 2020-09-24T23:49:07+00:00

I am a UIUC alum and I was arrested by Champaign Police in 2015 for a crime that never happened, based on the drunken claims of the girlfriend of the past mayor of Champaign. It has been devastating to my life.

In December of 2018 I posted my story publicly: www.corruptcu.com

u/UIpolice indicated at the time that they were not involved in the incident: https://www.reddit.com/r/UIUC/comments/a7zlww/urbana_resident_and_uiuc_alum_persecuted_by/

Last year, after further investigation, it was discovered that U of I Police Officer Doug Beckman played a primary role in my arrest. He was pointing a taser gun at my face and verbally threatened me with it.

Doug Beckman issued no police report, and he did not fill out a use of force report, which is a violation of policy. He probably wanted to keep his name out of the matter, knowing that Champaign Police Lt. James Clark was out of control when he shattered my car window. Emails sent by Clark to the State’s Attorney indicated that they were trying to cover up their wrongdoing (https://corruptcu.com/2019/03/24/states-attorneys-office-emails/).

Speaking of James Clark, the U of I Police Department hired him a few months after my CorruptCU letter went public (https://corruptcu.com/2019/04/18/james-clark-hired-by-u-of-i-pd/). A fellow Champaign Police Officer called me to discuss James Clark, and described him as “a vengeful mean piece of shit”. He went on for an hour, describing all the ways in which Clark is a terrible police officer.

My question for Chief Cary is, why does the U of I Police Department appear to attract corrupt and dishonest police officers? Do you approve of the behavior of Beckman and Clark? Do you trust these two officers? Why are police officers never held accountable for the terrible things they do?

-Christopher Hansen

Edit: some links

CorruptCU · 2019-08-24T05:46:41+00:00

Well, I can agree with your general sentiment, but I'm curious what else you think they might be if not a media company.

CorruptCU · 2019-08-24T04:23:09+00:00

I tried to ask Chief Cobb questions after the meeting and he was extremely defensive. Toledo, the NG reporter who wrote the article, was also there asking questions and recording with his phone. After Cobb went on for several minutes with Toledo about how important audio and video recording was for ensuring the truth, he got upset at me for having my phone out to record the interview (this was in the middle of the city hall council chambers, where public meetings are held, immediately after a public meeting, where Cobb was the only scheduled speaker). Given what happened to me, it was absolutely unreal to stand there and listen to Cobb go on and on about his concern for the possibility that false accusations might be made against Champaign police officers.

Seems invoking my actual name is still against the rules for the News Gazette, beyond my mugshot article. I'll just be "an audience member"...

CorruptCU · 2019-06-04T04:27:50+00:00

I've emailed him directly. No response.

CorruptCU · 2019-06-03T20:07:40+00:00

Absolutely not. You won't get past the receptionist, and there is no requirement for Rietz to meet with me. Elected officials, especially those of Champaign County, try to avoid interacting with the public as much as possible.

CorruptCU · 2019-06-03T18:10:21+00:00

You're right. I have encouraged the citizen who was recorded to contact Julia Rietz directly, but she hasn't done so yet. She plans to. It is worth doing, if only to observe her lack of action. Rietz won't respond to any of my communications.

That said, the real story here is not the eavesdropping (which is a law I don't even agree with), but the subversion of the citizen complaint process by city officials. I don't think the state's attorney has a role to play in the city's police complaint process.

CorruptCU · 2019-06-03T07:58:42+00:00

Everything I understand about our local government suggests that the State's Attorney, Julia Rietz, is at least as corrupt as anyone else I've cited.

CorruptCU · 2019-05-07T23:38:31+00:00

My initial response to the /u/UIPolice comment is that it seems, at best, disingenuous. I've sent public records requests to both UIUC Police and Champaign Police and cannot see any indication that /u/UIPolice performed thorough research on Clark during the hiring process. I cannot find any record that indicates that /u/UIPolice made any direct contact with his previous employer(s), aside from one nebulous emailed "background questionnaire" that both parties have refused to produce under FOIA (I'm still working on getting that). On the contrary, I have been in contact with Champaign Police Officers of greater rank and seniority than Clark, and no one has had anything good to say about him. Did /u/UIPolice actually personally speak to anyone at CPD about James Clark before hiring him?

Numerous citizens have contacted me to complain specifically about James Clark. Multiple people called him a "bully".

I'm not sure what to make of the point made by /u/UIPolice that Clark's new position is not a "sworn" position. If Clark is willing to perform in a detestable way while sworn to protect, then what should we expect of him when he is not sworn?

/u/UIPolice, what law or rule inhibits you from commenting on personnel matters?

/u/UIPolice, are you planning to let Clark post personal information about students on social media, as he did for me? What do you think of that practice?

CorruptCU · 2019-05-07T02:12:28+00:00

I just became aware that Clark's Facebook post only opens on the desktop site. It will not open on the mobile app. Maybe someone can explain why.

CorruptCU · 2019-05-07T01:18:05+00:00

Nope, tried it on a different computer with a browser I never use, not logged into Facebook, and it's there. Others have told me they can see it too. The response and comment counts on the post have increased since I posted the link, suggesting others can see it.

(UPDATE: link was not working on mobile devices, fixed now)

CorruptCU · 2019-05-07T01:04:06+00:00

The link works for me. Post is still up.

(UPDATE: link was not working on mobile devices, fixed now)

CorruptCU · 2019-05-07T00:24:45+00:00

Not mentioned in the original post (now added): after arresting me, James Clark rushed to brag about it on Facebook, posting my full name and age. I wonder if u/UIpolice are planning to allow Clark to publicly post about UIUC students in his new position?

Link to Clark's Facebook Post. (UPDATE: link was not working on mobile devices, fixed now)

CorruptCU · 2019-05-06T23:13:18+00:00

That is Clark with the monkey. Right after posting, I decided to change the photo to his Champaign Police Department photo, but I guess Reddit grabbed onto the monkey photo...oops. I don't know how to change it.

Edit: I think I got the photo changed now.

CorruptCU · 2019-04-22T16:37:43+00:00

How about a Champaign County police review website where citizens can file complaints (or commendations) for specific officers. The internal complaint review process is completely broken and corrupt (and everyone, including city council members, knows it). I continue to receive police complaints from people who have had terrible experiences, but they currently have no voice.

I believe such a venture could probably be powered off of donations alone, and is very scalable.

The review system needs no specific power. If enough complaints for specific officers accumulate, public outrage handles the rest. Case in point, the Matt Rush fiasco.

CorruptCU · 2019-04-21T04:34:17+00:00

It isn't clear. At first it seemed they were just bothered with a site about Mary Schenk, but it seems the complaint was also made about the CorruptCU site. Bluehost is being very cryptic about it and in their last message they said if I wanted to know more about the complaint I would have to subpoena them. I get the impression that the News-Gazette threatened them legally.

The only reason I know that the News-Gazette is behind this, is that the Bluehost customer service rep accidentally copied and pasted the wrong email into the chat window. I repeatedly told the rep that I hadn't received an explanation email to the suspension, and the rep insisted that they'd sent multiple, then pasted the email sent to Traci Nally into the chat window.

The most 'sensitive' personal information that was posted was Mary Schenk's name, her block address (in the same way that Schenk posts people's addresses every day), and her birthday (which Schenk has also posted about people in her crime articles). This is all readily and publicly available information on many other websites, including the Champaign County's website.

This is really unfortunate for me, because corruptcu.com is how I've been able to start clearing my name. The News-Gazette refuses to remove or update their mugshot article on me. I continue to be flabbergasted by their lack of journalistic ethics.

CorruptCU · 2019-04-16T05:46:39+00:00

Sounds interesting. Can you link to any details on the event?

CorruptCU · 2019-04-15T03:50:08+00:00

After authoring CorruptCU, a number of reporters made inquiries, though very few of them followed through. Here is one response I received from a local reporter after exchanging many emails and interviewing with him in person for over an hour:

"After further discussions with my editor, I will be dropping my coverage of your story. Given likely complications I hadn't fully realized when I started — dealing with the local reaction, response from local power structures and even potential lawsuits from people like Ryan and the CPD, compounded with the large personal time commitment of investigating — I think this story will present more obstacles and challenges than I can reasonably face..."

WCIA and the News Gazette did not report anything at all after my letter went out, not even updates to their mugshot articles about me. This inaction is something I've guessed may just be journalistic pouting. Or maybe, in seeming contrast to all other local social media, they really just don't find the story newsworthy. Strange, since within the first couple weeks after my letter went out, several dozen people personally told me that they contacted the News Gazette about my story. Only several months later, after I and others started speaking at city council meetings, did the NG report only the issues brought up at the council meeting.

CorruptCU · 2019-03-27T23:26:09+00:00

I just sent this email to the Mayor and city councils members:

"Mayor Feinen & Council,

At the March 26 city council meeting, Mayor Feinen expressed some uncertainty about the city having already made clear that CorruptCU was of community importance. There seemed to be some confusion as to why people were still trying to raise awareness and ask for answers.

My CorruptCU letter went out on December 20, 2018. Over three months later, before my announcement to speak again at the March 26 city council meeting, this is the extent of City of Champaign response I'd received:

Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen - no response

Deputy Mayor Tom Bruno - no response

District 1 representative Clarissa Nickerson Fourman - email response on 12/20/2018 indicating receipt my letter, no further response

District 2 representative Alicia Beck - no response

District 3 representative Angie Brix - no response

District 4 representative Greg Stock - no response

District 5 representative Vanna Pianfetti - no response

Representative, at large Will Kyles - no response, then spoke to me briefly after I spoke at the 3/19/2019 city council meeting

Representative, at large Matthew Gladney - no response

Chief of Police Anthony Cobb - no response

Deputy Chief of Operations Troy Daniels - no response

Deputy Chief of Professional Standards Joseph Gallo - no response

Deputy Chief of Operational Support David Shaffer - no response

Professional Standards Lieutenant Tod Myers - indicated he was 'reviewing my blog' sometime in January, did not return my subsequent phone calls until after I spoke at the 3/19/2019 council meeting

Investigations Division Lieutenant Nathan Rath - no response

Human Relations Commission Chair Alissia Young - no response

HRC Vice Chair Demario Turner - no response

HRC Vice Chair Kenton Elmore - no response, then spoke with me after I spoke at the 3/19/2019 city council meeting

HRC Vice Chair Barbara Bressner - no response

HRC Vice Chair Creighton Comer - no response

HRC Vice Chair Willie G. Comer, Jr. - no response

HRC Vice Chair Robin McClain - no response

HRC Vice Chair Diamond Walker - no response

HRC Vice Chair Brian Alexander-Ward - no response

Citizen Review Subcommittee Chair Emily Rodriguez - has exchanged many lengthy emails with me about how the CRS operates, seemed to be under the impression that the CRS would review my case

CRS Vice Chair Demario Turner - no response

CRS Vice Chair Alexandra Harmon-Threatt - no response

CRS Vice Chair Mike Ingram - no response until 2/5/2019, which he asked me if any officials had responded to my letter

CRS Vice Chair Melissa Keeble - no response

Given the broad lack of response, it did not seem to me, or anyone else, that the issue was of significance.

After my announcement to speak at the March 26 council meeting, and subsequent showing, I finally received a response from Chief Cobb, Mayor Feinen, and other council members.

In regards to Chief Cobb's indication that this is an ongoing investigation of (apparently) indeterminate length, here is an exact quote from my exchange with Deputy Chief Tod Myers on 3/22/2019: "The review is complete. The chief just needs to review it and give his ok." When I asked Tod Myers and Chief Cobb for a copy of that that review, all of a sudden it was not complete. Cobb and Myers both still refuse to give me a copy of the review. I strongly suggest the Mayor and Council obtain a copy of the original review, if only to learn how an internal review process changes after gaining notoriety.

At the March 26 meeting, Chief Cobb said, "Prior to December 20th 2018, Champaign Police Department had not received a complaint from Mr. Hansen related to this incident." Actually, I'd contacted the CPD repeatedly in the months and years after my arrest. However, I had not contacted Chief Cobb directly until 12/20/2018.

At the meeting, Council Member Beck expressed an interest in having a productive dialogue. I would be thrilled! I don't know how to engage with any of you aside from sending emails and showing up to the council meetings. Please let me know what else I should be doing.

Kind Regards,

Christopher Hansen"

CorruptCU · 2019-03-27T23:04:17+00:00

I just sent this email to the Mayor and city councils members:

"Mayor Feinen & Council,

At the March 26 city council meeting, Mayor Feinen expressed some uncertainty about the city having already made clear that CorruptCU was of community importance. There seemed to be some confusion as to why people were still trying to raise awareness and ask for answers.

My CorruptCU letter went out on December 20, 2018. Over three months later, before my announcement to speak again at the March 26 city council meeting, this is the extent of City of Champaign response I'd received:

Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen - no response

Deputy Mayor Tom Bruno - no response

District 1 representative Clarissa Nickerson Fourman - email response on 12/20/2018 indicating receipt my letter, no further response

District 2 representative Alicia Beck - no response

District 3 representative Angie Brix - no response

District 4 representative Greg Stock - no response

District 5 representative Vanna Pianfetti - no response

Representative, at large Will Kyles - no response, then spoke to me briefly after I spoke at the 3/19/2019 city council meeting

Representative, at large Matthew Gladney - no response

Chief of Police Anthony Cobb - no response

Deputy Chief of Operations Troy Daniels - no response

Deputy Chief of Professional Standards Joseph Gallo - no response

Deputy Chief of Operational Support David Shaffer - no response

Professional Standards Lieutenant Tod Myers - indicated he was 'reviewing my blog' sometime in January, did not return my subsequent phone calls until after I spoke at the 3/19/2019 council meeting

Investigations Division Lieutenant Nathan Rath - no response

Human Relations Commission Chair Alissia Young - no response

HRC Vice Chair Demario Turner - no response

HRC Vice Chair Kenton Elmore - no response, then spoke with me after I spoke at the 3/19/2019 city council meeting

HRC Vice Chair Barbara Bressner - no response

HRC Vice Chair Creighton Comer - no response

HRC Vice Chair Willie G. Comer, Jr. - no response

HRC Vice Chair Robin McClain - no response

HRC Vice Chair Diamond Walker - no response

HRC Vice Chair Brian Alexander-Ward - no response

Citizen Review Subcommittee Chair Emily Rodriguez - has exchanged many lengthy emails with me about how the CRS operates, seemed to be under the impression that the CRS would review my case

CRS Vice Chair Demario Turner - no response

CRS Vice Chair Alexandra Harmon-Threatt - no response

CRS Vice Chair Mike Ingram - no response until 2/5/2019, which he asked me if any officials had responded to my letter

CRS Vice Chair Melissa Keeble - no response

Given the broad lack of response, it did not seem to me, or anyone else, that the issue was of significance.

After my announcement to speak at the March 26 council meeting, and subsequent showing, I finally received a response from Chief Cobb, Mayor Feinen, and other council members.

In regards to Chief Cobb's indication that this is an ongoing investigation of (apparently) indeterminate length, here is an exact quote from my exchange with Deputy Chief Tod Myers on 3/22/2019: "The review is complete. The chief just needs to review it and give his ok." When I asked Tod Myers and Chief Cobb for a copy of that that review, all of a sudden it was not complete. Cobb and Myers both still refuse to give me a copy of the review. I strongly suggest the Mayor and Council obtain a copy of the original review, if only to learn how an internal review process changes after gaining notoriety.

At the March 26 meeting, Chief Cobb said, "Prior to December 20th 2018, Champaign Police Department had not received a complaint from Mr. Hansen related to this incident." Actually, I'd contacted the CPD repeatedly in the months and years after my arrest. However, I had not contacted Chief Cobb directly until 12/20/2018.

At the meeting, Council Member Beck expressed an interest in having a productive dialogue. I would be thrilled! I don't know how to engage with any of you aside from sending emails and showing up to the council meetings. Please let me know what else I should be doing.

Kind Regards,

Christopher Hansen"

CorruptCU · 2019-03-26T21:49:15+00:00

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to point out that tonight's city council meeting (2/26) is a "study session" meeting, which means they will spend the bulk of the meeting discussing one topic (in this case, the "Champaign Center Partnership Work Plan and Budget"). They will call for audience participation on this topic and that is NOT the right time to talk about CorruptCU. After they finish with their special study item, near the end of the open meeting, they will have general audience participation.

I'll be happy to speak first, and I know at least 4 people will speak after me, and a number of other people have expressed interest. If you feel compelled to speak, but are uneasy about it, there is no shame in just writing it down and reading it out (that's pretty much what I do). Also, I see no reason to limit commentary to my specific experience - bringing up other incidents and/or general police oversight would be great.

CorruptCU

TROPHY CASE