Policing

Since 2019, the Chicago Police Department has operated under a consent decree.
This federal court order requires CPD to stop routinely violating Black and Latino residents’ constitutional rights.
It also forces the overhaul of how officers are trained, supervised and disciplined.
WTTW News dives deep into why reform is so slow and how policing in Chicago continues to evolve.

Chicago Spent $119.7M on Police Overtime in 6 Months, 20% More Than Its Annual Overtime Budget: Watchdog
Politics

Chicago Spent $119.7M on Police Overtime in 6 Months, 20% More Than Its Annual Overtime Budget: Watchdog

Robin Robinson (Facebook)
Investigations

Repeated Police Misconduct by 272 Officers Has Cost Chicago Taxpayers $295M Since 2019: Analysis

WTTW News Explains

WTTW News Explains: How Does Chicago’s Police Consent Decree Work?

WTTW News coverage of policing and police reform is supported by The Joyce Foundation.

Police Accountability

(WTTW News)

CPD Agrees to Fire 7 More Officers Who Lied to Get COVID-19 Relief Loans, CDOT Employees Also Targeted: Watchdog

| Heather Cherone

In all, 17 members of the Chicago Police Department have faced termination for allegedly defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program of a total of approximately $517,000, according to reports released by the Office of the Inspector General.

(WTTW News)

Cost to Resolve Lawsuits Tied to Disgraced Ex-CPD Detective Reynaldo Guevara Tops $473M, With 25 Lawsuits Pending

| Heather Cherone

The total cost of defending and resolving 32 lawsuits naming Guevara, who has been repeatedly accused of falsifying police reports, framing suspects and coercing witnesses, is now $472.8 million, according to a WTTW News analysis.

Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling discusses plans for a rally and march down Michigan Avenue on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (Heather Cherone / WTTW News)

CPD Now in Full Compliance With 32% of Consent Decree, But Snelling’s Retirement Poses ‘Test’: Monitors

| Heather Cherone

The retirement of Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling poses “a test for the CPD to show that its reforms are now built into how it operates,” said Maggie Hickey, the attorney who leads the monitoring team that reports to U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

Fire CPD Officer Who Kicked Down Girlfriend’s Door, Used Racial Slurs While Drunk: Top Cop

| Heather Cherone

While the Civilian Office of Police Accountability recommended that Officer Jose Rodriguez be suspended for less than three months, former CPD Supt. Larry Snelling overruled that recommendation, finding that he should be fired.

(WTTW News)

After City Council Refused to Settle, Jury Rejects Lawsuit Filed by Family of Woman Killed by Driver Chased by CPD

| Heather Cherone

After a three-week trial, a Cook County jury determined that the fatal injuries suffered by Dominga Flores Gomez, who was survived by five children and eight grandchildren, were the fault of the driver who refused to stop for police, records show.

View all police accountability news

Cost of Misconduct

(WTTW News)

Key City Panel Unanimously Agrees to Pay $260.8M to Resolve 16 Lawsuits Tied to Disgraced Ex-CPD Detective Reynaldo Guevara

| Heather Cherone

It has already cost Chicago taxpayers at least $206 million to defend and settle 16 lawsuits naming former Chicago Police Department Detective Reynaldo Guevara, records show.

Chicago Police Department headquarters. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

City Lawyers Propose Spending $260.8M to Settle 16 Cases Tied to Disgraced Ex-CPD Detective Guevara

| Heather Cherone

Chicago taxpayers should pay more than $260.8 million to 17 men who spent more than 383 years in prison after they were coerced into confessing to crimes by a disgraced former Chicago police detective, city lawyers recommended.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Must Pay $10.5M to Family of Man Killed by Driver Being Chased by Police: Supreme Court Ruling

| Heather Cherone

Chicago taxpayers have already spent at least $52 million since the start of 2026 to settle nine lawsuits brought by people who were injured or on behalf of those killed during police pursuits, according to an analysis of city data by WTTW News.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

Under Pressure From City Council, Lawyers Settle 3 More Cases Tied to Disgraced Ex-CPD Detective: Records

| Heather Cherone

The total cost to Chicago taxpayers to defend and settle 16 lawsuits naming former Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara is set to reach at least $206 million on Wednesday, records show.

Chicago City Hall. (WTTW News)

Pay 2 Men Who Spent a Combined 38 Years in Prison for Double Murder They Didn’t Commit Almost $14M, City Lawyers Recommend

| Heather Cherone

The total cost of defending and settling lawsuits naming disgraced former Chicago Police Detective Reynado Guevara topped $191.8 million in May, according to a WTTW News analysis.

As crime and public safety are top of mind across Chicago’s communities, there are people who are working to prevent conflict before it happens and stop it from escalating when it does. WTTW explores violence interruption and prevention in Chicago in Firsthand: Peacekeepers, a series of documentaries, expert talks, investigative journalism, and community engagement focusing on extraordinary people who are making a difference.

WTTW News Coverage

Chicago police Superintendent David Brown addresses the city’s violent holiday weekend July 6, 2021. (WTTW News)

Immigration

Stay updated on the latest news surrounding federal immigration operations in the Chicago area.

Robin Robinson (Facebook)

WTTW News Explains

In this Emmy Award-winning series, WTTW News tackles your questions — big and small — about life in the Chicago area. Our video animations guide you through local government, city history, public utilities and everything in between.

Chicago’s Archaeopteryx

A piece of evolutionary history has made its way to Chicago. This rare and scientifically significant find sheds new light on the origins of flight and the incredible journey of evolution.