Aldermen Weigh In on Police Funding, Reparations, Cops in Schools


Protesters across the city and nation continue to push for police reforms that some elected officials say should include defunding the police — a move that could include reallocating resources and funding in support of mental health services and social workers, among other things.

That’s just one of the topics on the Chicago City Council’s packed agenda Wednesday.

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Meanwhile, some alderman want to terminate the city’s $33 million contract with the Chicago Police Department and remove school resource officers from district schools. 

The City Council will also take another look at reparations.

Against this backdrop, Chicago’s budget deficit is anticipated to reach $700 million following the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting stay-at-home orders that temporarily shuttered businesses across the city and state. Mayor Lori Lightfoot says a property tax hike is still on the table to help plug the massive budget hole.

Joining “Chicago Tonight” to discuss those topics and more ahead of Wednesday’s City Council meeting are:

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) who serves as Lightfoot’s City Council floor leader.

Ald. Anthony Napolitano (41st Ward) who has served as both a Chicago police officer and as a Chicago firefighter.

Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th Ward), co-sponsor of the Police Free Schools Ordinance, and the reparations ordinance.

Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th Ward), co-sponsor of the Police Free Schools Ordinance and a supporter of defunding the police.


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