Politics
Former CPD Supt. Larry Snelling Starts Collecting $190K Annual Police Pension, Records Show
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling talks to the news media following a meeting of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (WTTW News)
Former Supt. Larry Snelling will collect an annual city taxpayer-funded pension of approximately $190,000, according to records obtained by WTTW News.
Snelling, who was a member of the Chicago Police Department for 34 years, resigned July 15.
Snelling, 57, received his first monthly pension payment of $15,744.73 on Aug. 31, and those payments will continue for the rest of his life, according to records obtained by WTTW News from the Policemen’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago. Every year, Snelling’s pension will increase by 3%, to keep pace with any increase in the cost of living, records show.
Snelling retired approximately two months before he would have maximized his pension benefit, records show. Nevertheless, his pension is the third largest being paid by the police pension fund.
In his statement announcing his retirement, Snelling did not give a specific reason for stepping down as the city’s top cop, but said it was time to close “this chapter in my life.”
However, Snelling cannot yet put his tenure as a Chicago police officer behind him.
A federal judge has ruled Snelling must answer questions under oath about whether CPD targeted Black and Latino drivers with a massive campaign of traffic stops.
Originally, U.S. District Court Judge Mary Rowland ordered that deposition must take place by the end of August. However, lawyers for the city asked for that deadline be extended as it continues to provide nearly 11,000 emails and text messages sent to and received by Snelling about traffic stops.
Snelling must now answer those questions by the end of October, records show.
Mayor Brandon Johnson tapped Fred Waller to replace Snelling until a permanent replacement can be named.
Waller has been collecting an annual city taxpayer-funded pension of $141,608 while he also has been earning more than $210,648 per year annually, bringing his total annual compensation to $352,256, according to records obtained by WTTW News.
Waller, 64, has twice served as CPD’s interim leader, first leading the department from May 2023 to September 2023 before Johnson picked Snelling as the city’s top cop. After Snelling took office, Waller stayed on to advise Snelling, serving as deputy director in the superintendent’s office, records show.
Applications to replace Snelling must be submitted to the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability by Sept. 24, records show.
That board, better known as the CCPSA, is conducting a nationwide search to find the next leader of the Chicago Police Department. The group has until Nov. 15 to recommend three finalists to Johnson, who is running for reelection. Election Day is Feb. 23.
WTTW News coverage of policing and police reform is supported by The Joyce Foundation.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
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