Action Alert: Police Accountability
The new Chicago police contract includes a provision allowing officers accused of serious misconduct to have their cases heard by an arbitrator instead of the Police Board. While this may sound like a routine pro-labor provision, its adoption, in fact, would make it more difficult to hold police officers accountable for their actions. Closed-door proceedings would replace the Police Board’s public hearings. Decisions would be made not by the independent Board but by a private arbitrator whose appointment depends on the consent of the union.
LWV Chicago opposes the inclusion of the arbitration clause and urges all League members to ask their alders to vote against it. LWV Chicago, working with other organizations, has signed a letter written by Color of Change and Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation (SOUL) asking the chairpersons of the Workforce Development Committee to vote no on the ruling that would allow arbitration for serious cases of police misconduct.
Don’t wait. Contact your alders now!
This action alert is issued by LWV Chicago's Community Oversight of Public Safety (COPS) Committee.
The COPS committee complements the efforts of League’s state and county Criminal Justice groups, with an emphasis on enhanced public safety and promoting police accountability within the City of Chicago.
In 2021, the League of Women Voters of Illinois adopted a stance on policing, articulating fundamental principles essential for achieving police accountability to help ensure that policing upholds and advances the dignity of all people.
In the upcoming year, COPS committee members will actively engage with the oversight and support aspects of the recently enacted Empowering Communities for Public Safety Ordinance. This involvement will include participating in meetings of the City Commission on Public Safety and Accountability and attending the meetings of our local District Councils.
Email league@lwvchicago.org if you're interested in joining the committee!
Thank you for taking action!