East Peoria Council Still in Favor of Papis Separation Agreement

EAST PEORIA- The attorney for East Peoria's former top cop says his client never wanted to retire and the city forced him to do it.

The East Peoria City Council says it is still in favor of the separation agreement between the city and former police Chief Ed Papis.

East Peoria says it asked former police chief Ed Papis to retire after an investigation into racial profiling and allegations that the Papis' management style was too aggressive. The investigation found no wrong doing, but the city asked Papis to retire.

Michael Bush, Papis' attorney, says his client didn't want to leave, but agreed to a separation deal to make the city look good.

The city agreed to pay Papis $125,000 and give him and his wife free health care for life. Papis's attorney says he's doesn't like the way the city is portraying his client in the media.

Tonight, the council approved a second vote on the separation agreement.

 City Attorney Dennis Triggs, told WMBD 31 the reason the item was on the agenda was due to a clerical error and the May first vote made the former chief's retirement official.

The investigation found no wrong doing.