Chicago Justice Project Demands Police Reform

The Chicago Justice Project is pressuring City Council to finally approve four police accountability ordinances that would reform the highly criticized department. A study done by the Project has revealed some less-than-ideal conditions inside the department, and has prompted director Tracy Siska to call on police to “do their jobs.” 

“We have experienced misconduct and abuse for decades in Chicago with no end. The Laquan McDonald murder didn’t happen in 1980. It happened in 2014. Anthony Alvarez just happened. There’s a long line of misconduct and abuse for a hundred years that the City Council has turned their back on and shirked their responsibility for,” Siska said.

The 4 stalled ordinances include: 

• Reforms on search warrants in order to prevent wrong-home raids like the one that forced Anjanette Young to be naked before male police officers.
• Rethinking a database that processes all the complaints to the police department
• A “Police Settlement Transparency Accountability” plan that gives officers the facts before they’re asked to sign off on settlements tied to allegations of police misconduct, as well as a mandate that the Committee on Public Safety meets every month to analyze said settlements and twice a year to discuss police accountability.
• A plan for civilian police oversight endorsed by the Council’s Black, Hispanic and Progressive caucuses

Hopefully in time, these efforts by Chicago officials may be the seed that transforms how laws are enforced in the future of the city and Illinois. 

Are you looking for help getting justice or compensation for police brutality? 

If you’ve experienced police brutality in Illinois, you could be entitled to compensation. It may make sense to reach out to an attorney familiar with these matters. Often times a savvy and aggressive lawyer is the only thing that can hold a police department accountable. Get in touch with one today if you’d like to maximize your chances of defending your rights and getting the compensation you deserve. 

Is it difficult to sue the police? 

It depends on your case, your lawyer, and how much evidence you can provide, but it is usually difficult to sue the police. Police departments, like any government agency, have virtually infinite resources at their disposal to fight legal battles, and they can drag this legal process out for long periods of time. 

Police operate under what’s known as “qualified immunity,” which allows them to do certain things that regular citizens can’t, such as using violent force to deescalate a situation. Police will almost always use this right to defend their actions, and they will attempt to justify whatever force they used on a suspect. Without compelling evidence and a strong lawyer, shutting down this argument can be difficult. 

Do you need help with a police brutality lawsuit in Illinois? 

Contact an experienced Illinois police brutality lawyer today to start the legal process, and put yourself on the road to justice.