Come to our first meeting of the year, Weds., Jan. 24 at 6:30pm!

Dear Friend,

Right now, Chicagoans have a chance to shape the future of public safety and policing in our city. Read on below to learn about the application process for the next Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, and more ways to take action.

But first, a reminder to join us for our first meeting of 2024! We’ll discuss public safety updates, recap recent ride-alongs the three of us did with CPD officers, present information about the CCPSA application process, and more. Here are the details:

Wednesday, January 24, 6:30pm

Chicagoland Community Church

836 W. Aldine Ave.

RSVP NOW

Check out the CCPSA application and nomination process and more updates below, and see you next week!

In community,

—Maurilio, Jenny, and Sam

19th District Council Members

Note from Sam: CCPSA Applications Are Open Through February 7

Right now, Chicago is taking another big step forward in community-driven policing and public safety. Applications for the next Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability are open now through February 7. Get more info and download the application here.

As you may know, an interim CCPSA has been active for more than a year. In that short time, they oversaw the community-driven selection of Superintendent Snelling to lead the Chicago Police Department, worked to disable the harmful and error-filled “gang database,” established new rules against officer involvement in hate groups, and held critical hearings on officer wellness and public safety for workers.

The CCPSA’s authority was always designed to come from the people of Chicago. So, starting now and going forward, nominations to the CCPSA will be run by a Nominating Committee made up of District Councilors from each of Chicago’s 22 police districts.

For the past six months, I have met with other members of the Nominating Committee to craft an application and nomination process that is rooted in community input and reflects our collective hopes for a safer and fairer city. While the mayor will make final appointments to the Commission, only candidates nominated by this Nominating Committee will have the opportunity to serve on the CCPSA going forward. You can read more about the nominating process in coverage from the Chicago Sun-Times and WTTW.

A strong CCPSA is essential to ensuring that policing in Chicago is fair, accountable, transparent, and effective—and, above all, that Chicago is safe for everyone. The CCPSA was designed, alongside District Councils, to give Chicagoans a meaningful new role in public safety and police oversight, to build mutual trust between police officers and Chicago residents, to strengthen the police accountability system, and to explore and advance alternative effective approaches to public safety.

But first, good people must apply to be Commissioners. If you or someone you know has the experience, judgment, and passion for this role, make sure they fill out an application by the February 7 deadline. Click here to learn more about the process and download the application.

Private Arbitration Update:

Take Action Now

For months, we’ve called on the City Council to reject allowing the most serious cases of police misconduct to be heard behind closed doors in private arbitration rather than the public Police Board. Keeping this process open and transparent to the public is crucial for maintaining community trust and partnership with CPD.

In December, the City Council heard our concerns and voted down this measure. All six alderpeople who represent the 19th District—Alds. Waguespack (32), Knudsen (43), Lawson (44), Martin (47), Clay (46), and Vasquez (40)—voted against this provision and in favor of transparency and public accountability. But, as a result, the decision went back to the arbitrator who made this decision in the first place. And, yet again, he decided to allow the most serious cases of misconduct to be heard behind closed doors.

The decision is now back in the City Council’s hands. We urge them—particularly those who represent this District—to maintain their objections and stand strong in the name of community-centered policing. If they reject the decision a second time, it will move to the court system for a judge to decide. In a city with as fraught a history of high-profile police misconduct as Chicago, we think that’s a stance worth taking.

We once again urge you to call your Alderperson and let them know that you stand for transparency and accountability. Ask them to vote against private arbitration for the most serious cases of police misconduct. Here are their numbers:

Ald. Scott Waguespack (32): 773-248-1330

Ald. Andre Vasquez (40): 773-654-1867

Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43): 773-348-9500

Ald. Bennett Lawson (44): 773-525-6034

Ald. Angela Clay (46): 773-878-4646

Ald. Matt Martin (47): 773-868-4747

CPD Workforce Allocation Study Update

CPD currently lacks a clear strategy to ensure its officers are working when and where they can best impact public safety. A workforce allocation study would take an in-depth, data-driven look into CPD’s workforce to understand how officers are distributed and map out how they can best be deployed going forward.

A City Council committee meeting to consider the study has been delayed once again because of a scheduling conflict. But there is broad acknowledgement across city leadership that this type of study will have a positive impact on policing. We want to see movement on this issue soon.

We have written a letter to members of the committee sharing our community's strong support around this issue. Sign your name in support before we send it to all committee members next week. Strong public support will demonstrate that the community is in favor of this study, and that we want it now. This is our chance to hold our city leaders accountable to make decisions that positively impact public safety and ensure they happen in a timely manner.

Give Us Your Feedback

Serving as your District Councilors is a huge privilege, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to bring your voice into the public safety conversation.

We are continually learning new lessons as we fill out this brand new role. We want to clearly define how the District Council can best serve the community. To do that, we of course need your input. Click here to let us know what public safety topics you want the District Council to prioritize in the coming new year.