An alert reader pointed out that Case #11CF000889 on the Champaign County Circuit Clerk’s website (click the link and then search by case number) is identical in its details to the June 5 incident captured on squad-car video and subsequently leaked.
Smile Politely submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the Champaign Police Department on November 22, seeking the police report associated with this arrest. Yesterday, the CPD denied that request, citing as its reason:
“Records created for any law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes, to the extent that disclosure would: (i) interfere with pending or actually and reasonably contemplated law enforcement proceedings; (ii) interfere with active administrative enforcement proceedings;(iii) create a substantial likelihood that a person will be deprived of a fair trial or an impartial hearing; (iv) disclose the identity of a person who files complaints with or provides information to administrative, investigative, law enforcement, or penal agencies; (v) disclose specialized investigative techniques ; (vi) endanger the life or physical safety of any person; or (vii) obstruct an ongoing criminal investigation. (5 ILCS 140/7(d))