THOMASBORO, Ill. (WCIA) — There’s an unexpected meeting planned in a small village in Champaign County to discuss possibly bringing in county deputies for local protection. Locals say this move could significantly alter the way law enforcement operates in their town.
Thomasboro will be holding a special meeting this Saturday, with an agenda featuring three main topics: a proposed contract with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, along with discussions about pay, contracts, and the potential dismissal of certain village workers.
WCIA had a phone conversation with Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman, who shared he’s uncertain if the village police department will be disbanded. He noted, however, that it’s uncommon for villages entering similar contracts to maintain their own police force, stirring concern among Thomasboro residents.
“That has alarm for me as a citizen,” said former Village Clerk Tana Ward.
Ward said she moved to the area after falling victim to domestic violence.
“I was stalked for several months and having that peace of mind of knowing that you have the local police here is just invaluable,” Ward said.
Now, this situation might be at risk. The village has announced a special meeting set for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The agenda mentions the Board of Trustees will examine a new contract with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Department and consider actions related to certain village employees.
Heuerman conveyed to WCIA that he wouldn’t be astonished if Thomasboro decided to dissolve their local police department if the new contract goes ahead.
“I have great confidence in the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office,” Ward mentioned. “The Sheriff’s deputies do an excellent job and frequently serve our area.”
Heuerman said if the contract is approved, a deputy would be assigned to the village for at least two hours a day. They already drive through Thomasboro routinely, but he said the contract would allow them to be more intentional. They’d focus on things like speeding hotspots or anything the village and department wants to emphasize.
“Definitely worried about the response time,” Ward said. “With our current police, they patrol the entire area. So, two hours is just not going to give that coverage.”
Right now, the village is manned by Police Chief Mike Martinez, who Ward said works 16-20 hours a week. Heuerman told WCIA that the contract would cost Thomasboro around $80-85 an hour.
Martinez is currently out of town and said he won’t be able to attend the meeting this weekend, and that WCIA reaching out to him was the first he heard about it.
Ward said that and the timing of the meeting are causing her to be skeptical of the motives.
“I am more about transparency and openness in government and this definitely is not that,” Ward said.
WCIA reached out to Village President Jeff Robertson and asked him about the meeting over the phone, but he said he can’t talk about it and hung up.
Martinez declined to comment, saying he didn’t have enough information about the meeting.
Heuerman also said that if approved, the new policing contract would likely start in September.
