Friday, November 20, 2009 East Central Illinois

Urbana district reaches tentative settlement with White victim

By: Amy F. Reiter

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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

URBANA – One of the victims of former Urbana teacher Jon White has agreed to settle claims against the Urbana school district for $300,000.

Though no civil suit was filed on behalf of the victim – referred to as Jane Doe-1 – the settlement must go through court for approval, because Doe is a minor.

A document naming the settlement figure was filed in court this morning by Champaign lawyer Steve Amjad, who declined to comment and said the family declined to comment as well. In the court document, Jane Doe-1's parents are called Julie and John Doe-1.

On Nov. 3, Amjad appeared in court asking that the child victim's real name not be used in court documents. Champaign County Judge Brian McPheters granted his request. The News-Gazette does not identify child victims of sex crimes, or their families.

Amjad also requested that a supplemental petition including personal information – as well as the amount of the settlement – be sealed and impounded, a request McPheters did not grant.

The document states that White – who has been convicted of 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, including eight in Champaign County, and is now serving a 60-year prison sentence – worked in Urbana schools and that he abused Jane Doe-1.

It states that the money settles the Doe-1s claims against the school district. There is no admission of any liability.

Though no civil suit was filed on behalf of Jane Doe-1 or her family, several White-related civil suits have been filed in Champaign and McLean counties on behalf of other children and their families.

Urbana school board President Mark Netter said he could not comment on the matter, including whether a settlement would be paid by insurance or by the district directly. He said he hoped to be able to comment when "everything" was finished.

The school district's attorneys, Rachel Lutner of Chicago and Dennis Weedman of Collinsville – both with the law firm of Robbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton & Taylor – could not immediately be reached for comment.

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