URBANA, Ill. (WAND) - It was another fiery night in Urbana Monday night as dozens showed up to share concerns over the city's 2025 budget.
Council was considering giving more money to the police department after calls from the chief to help with staffing and overtime.
The Urbana City Council met for a final vote on the city's budget, including revisions to the police department's funding.
In last week's committee meeting, council elected to create a new deputy chief and training sergeant position and fill the openings left by the promotions.
But no new patrol officers would be added to staff.
However, voters Monday night said they do not want any increase in the police budget, arguing that minority communities will not become safer with more officers.
"For years, our community has grappled with systemic racism and its profound impact on our lives," one resident said during public comment. "The black children and families of Urbana have experienced fear and distrust toward the police stemming from countless incidents of discrimination, harassment, and violence. This reality cannot be ignored or dismissed."
Many people want to redirect the money earmarked for these positions to instead support groups and organizations in Urbana that help minority and underprivileged populations, getting to the root of issues that often cause crime.
"It is not a matter of ideology whether or not we should have police in the streets," another citizen said. "It is a scientifically proven fact that police do not get rid of crime. Poverty alleviation gets rid of crime. Resolving the economic antagonisms that lead to crime, resolving those antagonisms, gets rid of crime."
After two hours of public comment and extensive council discussion, the council voted 6 to 2 to adopt a fiscal budget ordinance.
It will add a second deputy chief and a training sergeant but no additional patrol staffing.
The council also voted to spend around $300,000 annually and $150,000 in a one-time cost for an alternative response program.
These responders would go on 911 calls that do not necessarily require a police officer.
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