INSIDE For the top tweets and a photo gallery of this weekend’s Unofficial festivities, turn to Pages 4A & 5A
THE DAILY ILLINI
MONDAY March 9, 2015
5he independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871
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Vol. 144 Issue 89
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Friends, family of Zamora reflect on his life BY CHARLOTTE COLLINS STAFF WRITER
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He was a dancer, he was a musician, he was multilingual and he was a writer. He carried the same passion and fire with him to everything he tried, his family and friends said. “He would always say you have to know a lot of languages, play instruments,” said Jeannie Douglas of her late nephew, 2014 University graduate Cristian Zamora, whose body was found Friday in Crystal Lake Park after having been missing since Dec. 31. Douglas babysat Zamora and his siblings and lived closely with his family in Humboldt Park in Chicago. “He used to play a lot of instruments, which we didn’t know. He knew how to play the violin, he knew how to play the piano,” Douglas said. “Things that you would never think ... the violin, something that to us was so romantic, so passionate. Once he gave himself to something, he would master it to perfection. He was like that; he was a go-getter.” Zamora graduated from the University in May after studying east Asian cultures and returned to Champaign to work part-time at Jimmy John’s. According to his mother, Sandra Carrion, another reason her son cited for staying in Champaign after graduation was to work on a book with a University professor. “He was so happy. He was telling me ‘I got one more week at Jimmy John’s, I’m going to write this book,
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Zamora’s autopsy showed no sign of foul play or trauma, according to Champaign County Coroner. Page 3A
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Mayoral Unofficial Champaign mayor, liquor commissioner Gerard patrols Friday’s revelry
BY DECLAN HARTY ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR
Don Gerard’s kelly green T-shirt peeks through the top of a gray knit Izod sweater as he enters Merry Ann’s Diner at 8 a.m. Friday. It’s the morning of his fourth Unofficial as Champaign’s mayor, and a grin has already spread across his face. A man wearing a Philadelphia Phillies sweatshirt exclaimed, “Hey look, it’s the mayor!” eliciting the diner of students, staff and other patrons to look at the opening glass doors. The diner is filled with specks of green — a waitress’ T-shirt that she wears twice a year, St. Patrick’s Day and Unofficial, and the hint of a green Chief Illiniwek shirt beneath a student’s jacket — and the temperature outside has barely hit negative two degrees. Already having done an interview with WLRW radio station, Gerard still faces a full day as facility manager for the University, in addition to duties as Champaign’s mayor and liquor commissioner, all while students binge drink for a campus tradition. “It is a bar stunt that took on a life of its own,” Gerard says while drinking coffee from his aluminum travel mug. “It means something to a lot different people in a lot of ways. Everywhere you have large numbers of people, who are either getting close to or have reached the age of a particular right that is to abide in alcohol — you’re going to have things like this.” With his first bid for re-
election as Champaign’s mayor in exactly one month and a day after Unofficial, Gerard has learned that Unofficial is a part of the C-U culture and is now embracing the day — not destroying it. What began in the mid-90s, Unofficial provides students an opportunity to celebrate the infamous drinking holiday that is St. Patrick’s Day while on campus. The March 17 holiday fell over spring break for several years, and bar owners recognized an opportunity to create sizable profits by promoting a standin celebration. While the remnants of Gerard’s bacon, scrambled eggs and pancakes are being taken away, he is not only aware of what the remaining 15 hours of the day holds but is also ready to see it firsthand. By early afternoon, stumbling is still a rarity, but green isn’t. Students, alumni and visitors walk the streets of Campustown — some looking for their next beer, most for their next class. Gerard also walks from bar to bar, but to check in with owners and employees and see how the day has progressed. As liquor commissioner, Gerard regulates and enforces liquor code in Champaign. Because Champaign has a city manager, Gerard said most people view the mayoral position as one with little power, except in certain regards including the regulation of liquor. “On a day like Unofficial, I think that it’s important to come out and remind people that the mayor is also the liquor commissioner,” he said. “So it’s a big day for me.” While community members, students and University employees all pass by Gerard — some quizzically, others aware of his position for the day — it’s the bar owners and employees that appreciate Gerard’s
DECLAN HARTY THE DAILY ILLINI
Don Gerard, Champaign’s mayor and liquor commissioner, walks the streets of Campustown on Unofficial visiting bars to check in with owners and employees. This was Gerard’s fourth Unofficial as Champaign’s mayor, but despite hesitations by community members, he has learned to embrace the holiday — not eliminate it. presence. “It makes us feel like they’re not just picking on us,” said Sam Uher, a shift manager at White Horse Inn and 2012 University alumna. “If you sell liquor, it seems like a lot of people are against you.” While Uher said bars on campus face a great deal of criticism on the holiday, having Gerard come to the bars and speak to employees allows them to feel comfortable throughout the day. For Gerard, while the holiday has served a great deal of purpose for students, it is a massive asset for the city because of the tax money it generates. “Tax money makes the city work so it is a pretty good boom,” Gerard said. “It’s not the event; it’s just the statistical numbers. There is a lot of positive aspects that benefit everybody whether you go or not.
Whether you like it or not, there is a lot of tax revenue being generated.” With breakfast and lunch specials over, the crowds go in search of spots for happy hour and dinner. Gerard is on his second and fi nal trek through the campus bars. Each stop averages about three minutes. The routine is the same: reveal a silver, five-point badge in his tan, leather two-fold wallet, introduce himself as liquor commissioner, talk to the person in charge (mostly the owners), thank everyone for sticking around and doing a good job, and depart for the next location. The walks between bars are riddled with mysterious looks and shouts of recognition, perhaps from Gerard’s social media presence on Twitter or Facebook. “Oh. My. God. You’re Don
SEE MAYOR | 4A
Unofficial was manageable, says CPD No major incidents were reported during this year’s Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day, said Patrick Wade, spokesman for University of Illinois Police Department. The cold weather hindered many people from spending too much time outside, which likely contributed to fewer accidents than previous years, Wade said. The day
began at minus 9 degrees, and rose up to around 25 degrees. The police generally thought students behaved and acted responsibly, making Unofficial a reasonable day. “Overall, I think it was a very manageable day” Wade said. “I think people who participated heard our message, which was ‘if you’re going to participate, that’s fine, but keep it safe and responsible.
Try to keep the problems to a minimum.’ And I think that’s what we saw.” The Champaign Police Department and the Champaign County jail said they will release reports concerning Unofficial sometime after Monday. The Urbana Police Department said only Champaign will release reports for all police departments who participated in enforcing Unofficial to avoid confusion.
The Champaign Police Department’s police blotter said 40 notices to appear and one arrest was issued on the 900 block of South Second Street around 3 p.m. Friday. The report stated an Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day apartment party yielded minor in possession notices to appear and a liquor sales to minor charge.
LIFE & CULTURE
NEWS
OPINIONS
SPORTS
International view of Unofficial
Injured woman to sue CUMTD
Showing support Illini win in for Rauner extra innings
BY CAELI CLEARY STAFF WRITER
Two international students discuss Unofficial hype PAGE 8A
Baseball wins 2 of 3 against No. 10 Oklahoma State
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PAGE 1B
DAILYILLINI, DAILYILLINISPORTS
INSIDE
you’re going to be in my book,’” said Carrion of her son’s plans. “‘You’ll see. It’s going to be a surprise.’” A memorial for Zamora will take place Thursday at Alvarez Funeral Home in Chicago, according to a Facebook page run by family and friends that was initially dedicated to search efforts and updates. The page also said they will hold a dancing or “tricking” tribute Thursday to “invite the b-boying/tricking/dancing community to perform in his honor.” Zamora was very passionate about dancing and actively participated in a tricking club on campus. Douglas said she wants to
SEE ZAMORA | 3A
Polar Plunge raises $40,000 Volunteers take charitable dip BY ALI BRABOY
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STAFF WRITER
Despite the 39-degree weather on Saturday, volunteers gathered at Memorial Stadium to willingly jump in an outdoor pool filled with freezing cold water to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois. The first Fighting Illini Polar Plunge raised $40,200 with 300 plungers, according to Special Olympics Illinois’ website. Each participant raised a minimum of $75 for the cause. Jackie Walk, Special Olympics Illinois Area 8 director, said the money raised will go toward Special Olympics Illinois Area 8/Eastern Prairie, serving athletes with intellectual disabilities in six counties, including Champaign. Walk said Special Olympics is a great program for those with intellectual disabilities who are at least eight years old.
0RUH RQOLQH To see photos of the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics at Memorial Stadium please visit
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“This is how they get involved in community, this is how they build friendships for a lifetime,” Walk said. “So being able to fund raise and keep that program going for them is our top priority.” Fundraising events are important because the group does not charge individuals to participate in Special Olympics; the organization also does not receive state or federal funding, Walk said. Zack Schoettes, junior in LAS, attended the event as a member of the University’s cheerleading team to encourage the participants. Schoettes, along with the other cheerleaders, cheered on the participants as they went to jump in the water and after they got out. “It’s for a great cause, and
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SEE PLUNGE | 3A
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Woman hit by bus to A Democrat’s sue MTD, drive for support for $18 million Republican Rauner PAGE 6A
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A participant dressed as Supergirl soars into the pool of cold water for the 2015 Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Illinois at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
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