Video: The WTTW News Spotlight Politics team discusses developments with CPD disciplinary proceedings and more of the day’s top news. (Produced by Emily Soto)
A Cook County judge Monday allowed proceedings before the Chicago Police Board to resume as he prepares to rule on an effort backed by the city’s largest police union to upend the system used for 60 years to punish officers.
Judge Michael Mullen blocked all actions by the Police Board on Jan. 31, sending disciplinary proceedings against 15 officers into limbo. That includes the case against Chicago police Officer Eric Stillman for shooting and killing 13-year-old Adam Toledo after a brief foot chase in March 2021, which could lead to his termination.
The Chicago City Council has voted twice since December to reject a decision by an arbitrator that found officers facing termination or a suspension of at least a year have the right to choose not to have their cases decided after a public hearing in front of the police board, which is made up of mayoral appointees confirmed by the City Council.
If the arbitrator’s ruling prevails, Stillman, and every other officer accused of serious misconduct that could lead to termination or a suspension of a year or more, could request that an arbitrator, who must have the blessing of union leaders, be appointed to decide his punishment after proceedings that will take place behind closed doors.
In an hourlong court hearing, Mullen told lawyers for the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, and attorneys for the city that he was prepared to rule on the merits of the case on March 20, making an extension of the court order stopping all action by the board unnecessary.
The next hearing before the police board is not scheduled until March 25, but Mullen said he would reconsider his order if the police board scheduled a hearing in one of the pending cases.
Mullen’s decision came over the impassioned objection lodged by Joel D’Alba, one of the attorneys representing the city’s largest police union. D’Alba told Mullen that allowing the police board to take any action “constitutes anarchy.”
Attorney Jim Franczek, representing the city of Chicago, told Mullen he would seek to convince him that the decision by arbitrator Edwin Benn was improper because it was “arbitrary and capricious” by failing to consider Chicago’s public safety challenges — and long history of police misconduct.
Six major efforts to change the way CPD operates have failed, and city officials have yet to comply with court-ordered reforms prompted by a 2017 federal investigation that found officers routinely violated the civil rights of Black and Latino Chicagoans.
That consent decree took effect five years ago this month, and the city has fully complied with just 6% of its requirements.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
