Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson today released the following statement as U.S. District Judge Robert Dow issued a court order finalizing the consent decree that the City negotiated with the Office of Attorney General. The effective date of the decree will be on the date on which Judge Dow enters an order appointing the Monitor. The parties are continuing to work with the Court on the monitor selection process and anticipate that it will be completed no later than March 1, 2019.

“This is a historic day for Chicago and a step towards significant, lasting change. This agreement builds on the strength of the reforms underway at the Chicago Police Department today, ensures there are no U-turns on that road to reform, and will help secure a safer and stronger future for our city. After seven separate attempts at police reform in the last century, Chicago now has an enforceable agreement that will stand the test of time.” 

Background:

The consent decree is a court order that will be enforced by Judge Robert Dow; this consent decree marks the first time in the city’s history that police reforms are tied directly to a federally enforced agreement. Further, this is the first policing consent decree in American history that was open to public comment before being submitted for final entry. The judge will be assisted by an independent monitor, who will continually evaluate CPD’s progress to implement reforms required by the consent decree until the City and CPD achieve full and effective compliance. The independent monitor is expected to be selected by March. 

• In early 2017, the Department of Justice under President Obama released a report that described a pattern of civil rights violations, including the unconstitutional use of deadly and excessive force by officers, which the DOJ concluded was caused by systemic deficiencies within CPD, that include inadequate training on appropriate tactics, lack of supervision; a failure to adequately investigate officer misconduct and discipline officers; and inadequate wellness and counseling programs to support officers. The City agreed to begin working on a consent decree with the federal government to begin the road to reform.
• When the Trump Administration refused to work with the City on a consent decree, the City began negotiating with the office of the Illinois Attorney General, which filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the City of Chicago seeking numerous reforms outlined by the DOJ in its investigation of CPD.
• As part of the process of drafting the consent decree, members of the community and law enforcement were engaged for their feedback and input on police reform.
• After months of negotiations, a draft consent decree was presented to the public in July 2018. The public was then given a 30-day period to provide feedback and comment on the draft decree.
• A fairness hearing was held over two days in October 2018 to allow U.S. District Judge Robert Dow to hear directly from the public. 

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