State & Local Government Policy, Business and Technology

Illinois sues to force police reform in Chicago, accusing Trump administration of dropping the ball

The Washington Post: The Illinois attorney general said Tuesday that she has filed a lawsuit to bring about a court-
enforceable agreement for police reform in Chicago because the Trump administration proved itself unwilling to press the matter.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) said she would effectively take the place of the Justice Department in trying to negotiate a consent decree — which would include an independent monitor and be subject to a federal judge’s supervision — to force the troubled Chicago Police Department to make changes.

The Justice Department in the Obama administration had investigated the Chicago police and found that officers routinely used excessive force and violated residents’ constitutional rights. But before department lawyers could negotiate a court-enforceable agreement for changes, President Trump and his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, took office and the usual process was interrupted, Madigan said.

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