Welcome to the first installment of the Daily Chicagoan, the newsletter from WTTW News. Keep reading to learn more about the changes we've made with you in mind.
This Monday, we dive into allegations of police misconduct and the compounding cost to local taxpayers. Plus, new stories on DNC security plans, migrant arrivals and more.
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In 2019, a federal court order requiring the Chicago Police Department to change how it trains, supervises and disciplines officers took effect. Known as the consent decree, the wide-ranging reform roadmap was prompted by a 2017 federal investigation that found officers routinely violated the constitutional rights of Black and Latino Chicagoans. Five years later, CPD is still only 7% in full compliance with the consent decree’s requirements.
As part of the consent decree, the Chicago Law Department is required to publish annual litigation reports. The reports attempt to “inform the public about lawsuits against the city involving allegations of civil rights violations or injuries due to a vehicle pursuit involving a CPD officer." Since 2023, WTTW News reporters Jared Rutecki and Heather Cherone have been diving into these documents and analyzing their content.
What they’ve found is that in the five years from 2019 to 2023, an increasing number of Chicago police officers have engaged in alleged misconduct multiple times and it’s costing the city hundreds of millions in payouts. Read on for their latest deep dive from the Chicago Law Department’s 2023 report.
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Chicago Police Department Headquarters, 3510 S. Michigan Ave. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
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What happened: Chicago taxpayers paid $164.3 million to resolve lawsuits that named 200 Chicago police officers whose alleged misconduct led more than once to payouts from 2019 to 2023, according to an analysis of city data by WTTW News.
In total, the city spent $384.2 million to resolve lawsuits involving around 1,300 Chicago police officers who allegedly committed a wide range of misconduct — including false arrest and excessive force.
Officers with more than one misconduct claim accounted for 43% of taxpayer costs.
Fifty-seven officers were named in three or more cases resolved by a payout from Chicago taxpayers.
Reform stalled: Repeated calls by Inspector General Deborah Witzburg for Chicago officials to systematically track the number of settled lawsuits and their costs have fallen on deaf ears.
City officials do not track which police officers are accused of misconduct in lawsuits that result in a jury verdict or settlement.
WTTW News reported in September 2023 that a system designed to flag officers with multiple complaints could have been rolled out citywide in May 2021 but remains in use in only one police district.
If you have feedback or questions regarding the implementation of Chicago’s consent decree, you can email policereform@atg.state.il.us or call 833-243-1498. According to the official website, your feedback or questions may be shared with the independent monitor at www.cpdmonitoringteam.com, the city, and/or CPD.
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I’m Josh Terry, the newsletter producer for WTTW News. Since I joined the team, my colleagues and I have worked to figure out how to channel our passion for this city into a digestible, engaging and informative newsletter designed with you in mind.
We’ve come up with the Daily Chicagoan, a destination for local news and politics, urban nature and the environment, local culture and events, and Chicago history as seen through a modern lens. Expect snappy and substantial briefings in your inbox Monday through Saturday. There, you’ll find the dogged reporting from WTTW News you've come to expect as well as new ways to learn more about your community and those around you. You’ll get the backstory about the biggest news of the day, and insights into the people, events and places that define the city.
Chicago is an endless source of inspiring people, stories and neighborhoods. With Daily Chicagoan, our goal is to help you understand the story behind the story, feel more connected to this city and motivate you to explore.
We’re thrilled to have you reading and we hope to hear what you think at DailyChicagoan@wttw.com. If you like what you see, forward this to a friend and sign up at our newsletter page.
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Road restrictions near the United Center (City of Chicago)
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With the DNC commencing next week, WTTW News reporter Matt Masterson has the latest on the Chicago Police Department’s safety and security plans for the multi-day event. Here’s what to expect:
2,500 CPD officers will be assigned to DNC duties and Supt. Larry Snelling expects 500 additional officers from departments across Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin to assist with convention security.
Protests during the RNC were smaller than expected — the largest of which was estimated at around 3,000 people — but groups in Chicago believe DNC protests could see up to 25,000 participants.
Several streets around both convention sites — McCormick Place and the United Center — will be closed down from now to the DNC.
Click here for a full list of closures and disruptions.
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The food pantry at New Life Centers. (WTTW News)
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WTTW News reporter Joanna Hernandez reports that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has made threats to ramp up the number asylum seekers sent to Chicago while the city is in the national spotlight for the DNC. What to know:
Officials say about 5,600 people are currently staying in one of the city's 17 shelter locations.
Over 46,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Chicago since August 2022.
And while there hasn't been a surge in new arrivals yet, volunteers and shelter workers are preparing to receive them.
Illinois has a list of official migrant and refugee welcoming centers, click this link to find out more information about each one.
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Back in the Day: On August 12, 2004, It Was Cooler By the Lake
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It’s been a hot summer for much of the country this year, even if July was slightly cooler than average in Chicago. While this season has already seen dozens of tornadoes and a lingering “heat dome,” 20 years ago today, it was actually chilly. In 2004, an arctic front moved into the Chicago area, giving the city a
high of 61 degrees in August. At a certain point, it was three degrees warmer in Juneau, Alaska, (64 degrees) than it was in Chicago.
The cold front broke a then-101-year-old record from 1903 for the coolest high temperature on that date by a whopping three degrees. “We’ve got October-level weather two months early,” legendary meteorologist Tom Skilling said to the Chicago Tribune. “This is amazing stuff. We’re challenging century-old records.” That morning, the temperature hit a low of 52 degrees setting the record low for that date, which would have come in handy during the “heat dome” earlier in the season.
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With Chicago hosting the DNC next week, what are you doing in the city to escape the crowds?
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Email your answers to DailyChicagoan@wttw.com. Selected responses will be published Friday.
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Other News From Around Town
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5:30 PM | 10:00 PM
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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