Police District Council Elections
The February 2023 Municipal Election for the first time will be electing members to the city’s new Police District Councils. Three individuals will be elected on February 28 to serve in each of 22 police districts for four-year terms. Candidates for Police District Councils have been gathering signatures on nominating positions since the end of August and will be submitting them to the Chicago Board of Elections between November 21 and 28.
The District Councils were created In July 2021 as a new model for police oversight, accountability, and public safety. An ordinance passed by the Chicago City Council at that time authorized two new two bodies: the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, which will work across the city to foster overall systemic reform, and the District Councils.
According the the City website, these District Councils will work within individual police districts to improve policing and public safety locally by doing the following:
Building stronger connections between the police and the community at the district level, where the community is a true partner in making the neighborhood safer. They can work with the police to solve problems and set priorities.
Collaborating in the development and implementation of community policing initiatives.
Holding monthly public meetings, where residents can work with the police on local initiatives rooted in community concerns and priorities. They can also increase accountability and work to address concerns about policing in the district.
Working with the community to get input on police department policies and practices.
Working to develop and expand restorative justice and similar programs in the police district.
Ensuring that the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability gets input from the community, so that the Commission’s work will be based on what people in neighborhoods across the city are concerned about.
Nominating members of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. Anyone who serves on the Community Commission must first have the support of elected District Council members.
If you missed it, be sure to watch our recent Chicago in Focus lecture on the District Councils and police reform in Chicago.
UPDATE: You can also learn more about Police District Councils in our Municipal Election Briefing, held February 4, 2023.