ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Corporation Counsel with a Request to APPROVE a SETTLEMENT in FANNON V. PEORIA.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Fannon v. Peoria, et al.: This case stems from the February 2019 murder of Kayla Fannon who called 911 to report that her boyfriend, David Jenkins, was harassing her. PPD Officer Harris’s entire interview of Ms. Fannon was captured on Harris’s body camera. Fannon showed Officer Harris texts from Jenkins. Officer Harris ran Jenkins’s name in his squad car computer and found an old, but not active Order of Protection. He returned for a second discussion with Ms. Fannon (not on camera) and stated he could not arrest Jenkins. Jenkins later broke into Fannon’s home and shot her before killing himself. Fannon’s aunt brought a state court action against Peoria and Officer Harris alleging wrongful death and violations of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act (IDVA). Ms. Fannon is survived by four very young children.
Negotiations with plaintiff have resulted in a tentative settlement of $1.5 million. The City has is contributing roughly $890,000 to the settlement and insurance is paying the remaining balance.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: None.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Settlement approval will bring closure to the existing case and end legal fees.
IMPACT IF DENIED: Litigation will proceed.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Legal