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This Tuesday, WTTW News has stories on policing, the consent decree and more. |
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Remel Terry appears on "Chicago Tonight" on Nov. 24, 2025. (WTTW News) |
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Chicago’s police oversight board has a new leader.
Remel Terry is now president of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. Terry has been a member of the commission, better known as the CCPSA, since it was launched in 2022.
The seven-person commission’s responsibilities include helping set policy for the Chicago Police Department, reviewing CPD’s budget and working with the department on community policing programs.
The commission is also charged with selecting the next chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, also known as COPA. The agency tasked with investigating misconduct by Chicago police officers has been without a permanent leader since February.
Terry joined WTTW News’ “Chicago Tonight” to discuss her new role and the search for new COPA leadership.
On choosing a new leader for COPA:
“COPA is the investigatory body that investigates police-involved shootings, anything that deals with excessive misconduct, excessive force, even if someone is hurt significantly and dies in police custody. … We’ve done our first round of interviews, and so we will be going into a second round.”
Terry said CCPSA is on track to announce its pick for a finalist by the end of the year.
On allegations CPD violated Chicago’s welcoming city ordinance:
“I’m proud to say we have not heard of any engagement from the department related to that, and we’ve been forthcoming and accountable in addressing those concerns. … If you’ve seen things, share them with us, because we want to ensure that our department is adhering to that welcoming city ordinance.”
On the proposed police policy for pretextual traffic stops:
“I think we are at a place where we are developing out something that many people assumed was already in place. And so we currently have a position on certain types of restrictions, which, again, with this process, we’re now looking at putting traffic stops into the consent decree. ” |
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(WTTW News) |
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Chicago police officers can turn off their body-worn cameras while being questioned by their supervisor immediately after they shoot a member of the public, the federal judge overseeing efforts to reform the Chicago Police Department ruled Friday.
However, U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer ruled that officers must have their cameras on if a deputy chief asks them to answer additional questions about the shooting.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office had urged Rebecca Pallmeyer to order CPD officers to keep their cameras on throughout the aftermath of a shooting. CPD leaders and city lawyers asked the judge overseeing the consent decree, the federal court order requiring CPD to change the way it trains, supervises and disciplines officers, to allow officers to keep their cameras off, as allowed by current policy.
After months of negotiations between the Office of the Attorney General and CPD failed to resolve the deadlock, it was up to Pallmeyer to resolve the issue.
Read Pallmeyer’s full order.
Some backstory:
Pallmeyer’s ruling is the first time she has been forced to intervene in a dispute between the department, led by Mayor Brandon Johnson’s hand-picked top cop, Supt. Larry Snelling, and Raoul, the state’s top law enforcement officer. Both Johnson and the attorney general are members of the Democratic Party.
CPD officers so far this year have shot 19 people, killing eight, more than in all of last year, records show. In 2024, CPD officers shot 12 people, killing six, records show.
A coalition of police reform groups and the Office of the Attorney General sued the city in 2017 after a probe by the U.S. Department of Justice found CPD had engaged in a pattern of unconstitutional use of force that led to the murder of Laquan McDonald by former Officer Jason Van Dyke. |
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The Chicago Park District has placed signage at Montrose pier, announcing a temporary closure to protect visiting snowy owls. (Courtesy Chicago Park District) |
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Chicagoans have been going gaga over a pair of snowy owls that have settled in at Montrose Beach. Maybe a little too gaga.
Over the weekend, the number of visitors ballooned as people flocked to the lakefront to catch a glimpse of the Arctic birds. Some estimated the crowd as between 75 and 100 people at a time, while others said the experience had turned into a “circus.”
In response, the Chicago Park District on Monday announced the temporary closure of access to Montrose pier.
“These birds have traveled all the way from the Arctic and are considered vulnerable due to their population decreasing. Help give the owls a warm welcome to Chicago by being respectful and giving them space,” the Park District said on social media.
A spokesperson for the district told WTTW News that while this isn’t the first time snowy owls have taken up residence at a city park, in previous years, they’ve landed at the less accessible Northerly Island.
Montrose, on the other hand, is a hot spot for birders, as well joggers, cyclists and the general public, with plenty of available parking.
Scott Weidensaul, co-founder of Project Snowstorm, which has spent a decade researching the movement of snowy owls, was watching developments in Chicago from his home in New Hampshire.
“I was a little concerned,” Weidensaul told WTTW News. “From what I could tell looking at the eBird reports, there were a lot of people out there watching those birds.”
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Back in the Day: Nov. 25, 2020 - Vista Tower Renamed The St. Regis |
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In 2016, developers broke ground on what would become Chicago’s third-tallest building. Designed by the acclaimed Illinois-born architect Jeanne Gang, the 101-story, 1,198-foot-tall skyscraper, boasting a hotel, luxury condominiums, restaurants and retail would be the tallest structure in the world designed by a woman. On this day five years ago, the building was named the St. Regis Chicago after St. Regis Hotels agreed to operate the hotel after Chinese developer Wanda sold it to the conglomeration Magellan. It officially opened in 2023. |
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This Week’s Staff Recommendations |
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Every Tuesday, WTTW News staffers highlight their favorite things about Chicago. This week, it’s reporter Nick Blumberg on the best local spots for news junkies.
Nick Blumberg: Chicago’s a renowned bar and restaurant town, and for good reason. There are seemingly endless spots to lift a glass or grab a bite to eat, but for those for whom local news and politics is a way of life, here are some spots that bring along a history.
Brehon Pub, 731 N. Wells St.: A cozy Irish pub with lots of vintage charm, it’s also the site of one of the city’s most legendary undercover journalistic feats. The Sun-Times and the Better Government Association bought the bar in 1977, with journalists posing as the owners and staff to witness firsthand the day-to-day graft and corruption endemic in Chicago’s political machine – the perfect side of juicy scandal to go with your corned beef.
Billy Goat Tavern, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Lower Level: Sure, it’s known nationally for the SNL sketch and the alleged Cubs curse. It’s also played host to generations of local reporters, with many standouts honored by having their byline added to a wall of fame. Stop by and see how many names you recognize.
Valois Restaurant, 1518 E. 53rd St.: It’s not just a great spot for delicious breakfasts and lunches. It’s also been a favorite of a who’s-who of local politicians for decades – including Barack Obama and Harold Washington, who’s said to have visited twice a day. Be sure to bring cash. |
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What's your favorite Thanksgiving side dish? Tell us why.
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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