Police Settlement Transparency and Accountability Ordinance

Posted on July 30, 2018July 30, 2018 by chicagojustice

On Wednesday July 25 32nd ward Alderman Scott Waguespack introduced our Police Settlement Transparency and Accountability Ordinance. This ordinance is a giant step forward in 3 major areas: 1. It provides our City Council with wide-ranging information about civil litigation settlements and judgements stemming from police misconduct litigation. Alderman will no longer be pressured to vote Read more about Police Settlement Transparency and Accountability Ordinance[…]

Rushed meeting to appoint Andrea Zopp to Chicago Police Board pushed until Monday.

Posted on November 17, 2017November 17, 2017 by chicagojustice

By JONATHAN BALLEW CHICAGO — The Committee on Public Safety met at city hall Friday to consider Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s desired appointment of Andrea Zopp to the Chicago Police Board. While the city met the established guidelines of releasing information about the meeting 48 hours prior, members of the public voiced their concerns that the Read more about Rushed meeting to appoint Andrea Zopp to Chicago Police Board pushed until Monday.[…]

Andrea Zopp could be added to The Chicago Police Board by Friday Nov. 17

Posted on November 16, 2017November 16, 2017 by chicagojustice

BREAKING: Andrea Zopp is set to be named the newest member of the Chicago Police Board on Friday, pending a City Council meeting. The document obtained by The Chicago Justice Project on Wednesday appears to confirm a Nov. 17 meeting at 9:45 a.m. The meeting will take place in Room 201A, second floor of City Read more about Andrea Zopp could be added to The Chicago Police Board by Friday Nov. 17[…]

Controversy surrounds COPA: Mayor Emanuel shirks accountability, taking matters into his own hands

Posted on November 15, 2017November 15, 2017 by chicagojustice

By JONATHAN BALLEW CHICAGO — Just months after its inception, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is already severely handicapped. With a budget that is over $1 million short, a chief administrator vacancy, and a huge backlog of cases, COPA is facing an uphill battle. Mayor Rahm Emanuel named 18 individuals to be added Read more about Controversy surrounds COPA: Mayor Emanuel shirks accountability, taking matters into his own hands[…]

Chicago Residents Gather at October Police Board Meeting to Remember Laquan McDonald

Posted on October 23, 2017 by chicagojustice

By JONATHAN BALLEW CHICAGO — “Laquan McDonald was a young black man who was killed by the police! And we gonna fight all day and night until he rests in peace!” Outside Chicago Police Headquarters, Thursday, a crowd of close to two hundred repeatedly and lyrically chanted the mantra, with increasing fervor. They were there to observe Read more about Chicago Residents Gather at October Police Board Meeting to Remember Laquan McDonald[…]

Chicago, Meet COPA — A Brand New Police Accountability Agency

Posted on October 16, 2017October 23, 2017 by chicagojustice

By JONATHAN BALLEW CHICAGO — With the nation’s eye focused on Chicago, Mayor Emmanuel has been forced to make some changes. After receiving help from former Chief Administrator Sharon Fairley, COPA — Civilian Office of Police Accountability — has officially launched. Although COPA is off the ground, there are many residents that still don’t fully Read more about Chicago, Meet COPA — A Brand New Police Accountability Agency[…]

Spielman Continues Staffing Myth

Posted on November 21, 2016August 9, 2017 by chicagojustice

It is pretty clear that the Sun-Times as an organization has made up its mind about whether or not we are “short” police officers. The latest propaganda piece is from Fran Spielman and is titled “Can Emanuel deliver on his promise to hire more police?”. Once again the reporting is really short on facts and Read more about Spielman Continues Staffing Myth[…]

“Justice” in the police accountability system in Chicago?

Posted on April 10, 2012 by chicagojustice

In a recent conversation with a colleague about the police accountability system in Chicago and all of its failings, we stumbled upon a question that I cannot get out of my head: how to define “justice” within the police accountability system in Chicago? I believe that those who bring forward legitimate complaints to the accountability Read more about “Justice” in the police accountability system in Chicago?[…]

Chicago Police Board Reforms Pass City Council

Posted on September 8, 2011 by chicagojustice

For the first time in 50 years the Chicago Police Board will see reform come to their operations through a ordinance passed by the city council. The reform includes: Term Limits: No board members can be reappointed to the Board after serving more than 10 years in their lifetime. This results in three current members Read more about Chicago Police Board Reforms Pass City Council[…]

The Chicago Police Board: “Suffering from a Crisis in Credibility”

Posted on November 27, 2009 by chicagojustice

On Oct. 27th the Chicago Justice Project released a report titled “Chicago Police Board: A Ten-Year Analysis”. Our report was an analysis of ten years of cases and their resulting decisions from 1999-2008. In response to our report the Chicago Police Board President Demetrius Carney (pictured here) has stated that the Superintendent of the Chicago Read more about The Chicago Police Board: “Suffering from a Crisis in Credibility”[…]