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Peoria council approves $625,000 city contribution to settle Heidelberg wrongful‑conviction suit; one council member objects
Summary
The City of Peoria will pay $625,000 toward a $1.25 million settlement in litigation arising from the vacated conviction of Cleve Heidelberg; the council approved the payment with one member voting no and citing concerns about precedent and support for law enforcement.
The Peoria City Council on Tuesday approved a settlement in litigation stemming from the vacated conviction of Cleve Heidelberg, authorizing the city to contribute $625,000 toward a total $1.25 million resolution with Peoria County.
Corporation counsel recommended the settlement after reviewing litigation risks and recent high-dollar jury verdicts in wrongful-conviction claims. Counsel told the council the city and county had defended the case for years and that if the trial court dismissal were reversed on appeal, continued litigation could expose the city to sizable damages and significant legal costs.
City Manager and finance staff told council the city has reserved funds in the general fund legal budget for settlements and that the amount would be paid from 2024 budget allocations set aside for litigation.
Council Member Euler, who moved to approve the settlement, said he opposed settling on principle but concluded the city must mitigate financial risk to taxpayers. “I think at the end of the day, we should prevail in a case like this, but our responsibility is to protect the taxpayer and ensure that we don't end up in a situation where we have to bond money to pay a settlement like this and raise taxes to do it,” Euler said.
Council Member Grama delivered the lone no vote, criticizing the settlement and arguing the city should continue to litigate rather than pay. “We are not protecting our city or county taxpayers when we cave in to such outrageous demands,” Grama said, adding he had not seen evidence that county or city officials acted wrongfully in the original investigation or prosecution.
The motion to approve the settlement passed; the clerk recorded the motion’s passage with one recorded no vote. The council communication to members described the underlying case: Cleve Heidelberg’s 1970 conviction in a deputy’s murder was vacated in 2017; Heidelberg died in 2018 while matters continued. The litigation has proceeded through extensive motions and remains subject to appellate proceedings.
Votes at a glance: settlement in Heidelberg v. Hebser — approved; city contribution $625,000, county contribution $625,000; motion moved by Council Member Euler, seconded by Council Member Gordon Young; approved with 1 nay (Council Member Grama).
