As reported previously, on March 21 Cook County Circuit Court Judge Michael Mullen issued his ruling that allows Chicago police officers to choose to have the most serious police disciplinary cases heard by an arbitrator rather than the Police Board.  

On April 19, the Fraternal Order of Police filed a notice of appeal of Judge Mullen’s decision. The union is challenging Judge Mullen’s rulings that arbitration proceedings be open to the public and that accused officers may be suspended without pay while the arbitration case is pending.

Since the Circuit Court ruling, 16 police officers with disciplinary cases currently before the Police Board have filed motions to transfer their cases to arbitration and terminate the Police Board proceedings.  The Board is awaiting further information from the parties as to whether the City and the union can reach agreement on a public arbitration process before ruling on these motions.