With the appointment of the independent monitor by Federal Judge Robert M. Dow, Jr. today, the consent decree between the City of Chicago and State of Illinois that mandates public safety reforms is in effect. In an order issued this afternoon, Judge Dow appointed attorney Maggie Hickey to serve as the independent monitor and retired judge David H. Coar to serve as a special master for the court.

"On a day when we marked a 44 percent decrease in homicides and a 24 percent reduction in shootings, today’s data and today’s agreement capture the new direction of the Chicago Police Department," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "This agreement, which is the result of the changes we sought and agreed to, will ensure a better city, a better CPD, and safer streets."