Police
Chicago drops police union lawsuit over vaccine mandate
The percentage of police department employees reporting their status increased from about 65% in October to about 87% this week, according to the city.
Politics
The Politics Section of the Chicago Journal.
Illinois Politics
Democrat campaign-worker at center of 'rape email' denies knowledge of alleged coverup
Pritzker's administration said they referred the matter to the Inspector General, but if the inspector general ever investigated, Ashby said no one has interviewed him. OEIG declined comment. ISP did not respond.
News
Cook County tops 1,000 homicides for first time in 27 years
The last time Cook County had more than 1,000 homicides in one year was 1994, when the county recorded 1,141. The record for Cook County is 1,229 homicides in 1991.
Illinois Politics
GOP Rep. Davis to seek reelection, skips race for governor
The Republican from Taylorville had said his decision would be based on the congressional district map Democrat Pritzker signed into law last week.
Illinois Politics
Gov. Pritzker signs new heavily Democrat gerrymandered Illinois congressional map into law
Interest groups and activists, many aligned with Democrats on most issues, criticized the secretive process and the result.
Illinois Politics
ILETSB Director fired after giving improper law certificate to donor, the son of Warren Buffett
An investigation found that 3 hours after the ILETSB accepted a donation from Howard Buffett in 2019 for a canine training program, Fischer issued a waiver to allow Buffett to serve as a part-time undersheriff and a certificate to become a part-time law enforcement officer.
Police
Police union president John Catanzara officially retires from CPD
Though he retired after 27 years as a Chicago Police officer, he is not going anywhere. He will remain as President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 and plans to run for Mayor in 2023.
Chicago News
Agency report critical of slain Chicago cop sparks outrage
COPA recommended suspension because French failed to wear a body-worn camera when she arrived at Anjanette Young's home in 2019. Officer French was later killed in the line of duty in a separate incident.
Police
C.O.P.A. releases report on Anjanette Young raid
The agency's report recommended between one day and one year of suspension for multiple officers and “up to and including separation” from the department for some officers. Police Superintendent David Brown has already moved to terminate one sergeant.
Illinois Politics
Pritzker signs amendment to Illinois conscience law
The law was adopted in 1978 and Democrat AG Kwame Raoul asked Pritzker to encourage legislation to make clear the law was not intended to cover a pandemic.
Illinois Politics
Illinois Democrats' attempt to remove "conscience" from vaccine decision faces legal uncertainty
Citing three federal statutes, Democrats claim their action had nothing to do with curtailing religious freedom but constitutional scholars question how accessible those statutes are. The state currently has 11 lawsuits pending.
Chicago Politics
Ex-Illinois House Leader Luis Arroyo pleads guilty to bribery
The so-called blind plea, offered without knowing of the sentence he will receive, could land the 67-year-old Chicago Democrat in prison for 20 years and cost him a $250,000 fine. Sentencing was set for Feb. 18.