ACLU: Racial disparity found in Danville traffic stops
Sep. 28—Danville Police stopped Black drivers five times more than white drivers for routine traffic stops, according to a 2023 report from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
Black motorist made up 20% of licensed drivers in the city in 2023 and accounted for 56% of all routine traffic stops, according to the data.
The ACLU of Illinois will host a town hall meeting on Oct. 7 to address the disparity in traffic stops.
"One goal of the meeting is to explore steps that community members can take to work with city officials and police in Danville to address these persistent, historic disparities in traffic stops for Black drivers in Danville," according to Ed Yohnka, ACLU of Illinois' director of communications and public policy.
"For a long time, Black residents in Danville have felt targeted by police in traffic stops," said Lloyd Randle, a former city council member who reached out to the ACLU of Illinois regarding multiple reports he'd received from concerned residents.
This is not the first time the ACLU of Illinois has come to Danville to help residents address the concern. In March of 2023, Yohnka gave a public presentation at Danville Area Community College to address the racial disparity issue.
"We've tried desperately to address this issue with the mayor, city council, the police chief — all those folks — to no avail," Randle said. "Because the numbers are still so high, and because of the economic, social, and psychological impact this has on the minority community, we're elevating this dialogue and bringing [the ACLU] back to town."
The Commercial-News reached out to Danville Police Chief Christopher Yates, however he could not be reached for comment as he is out of the office for the week. Danville Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr. said he was not aware of the report and could not comment until he had reviewed it.
In addition to the discussion about traffic stops, the town hall meeting will also provide Danville residents the chance to share their concerns regarding civil liberties and civil rights issues in regard to the upcoming election.
The ACLU hopes the meeting will empower residents to "plan ahead about ways to further strengthen and advance civil rights and civil liberties in Illinois," according to the press release.
The town hall meeting will take place on Oct. 7, at 6 p.m., at the Laura Lee Fellowship House, 212 East Williams St. The community is invited to attend.
