Settling for Misconduct: Police Lawsuits in Chicago
Between 2012 and 2015, the City of Chicago paid $210 million in settlements in police misconduct cases.
That was for 655 lawsuits.
On average, a lawsuit against the Chicago Police Department is settled almost every other day.
The multi-million dollar settlements grab the headlines.
But the median settlement amount is $36,000.
The settlements often stem from daily instances of excessive policing in black and Latino communities.
False arrest. Illegal search and seizure. Excessive force.
86 percent of the cases end in a settlement.
The city may pay, but a settlement is not an admission of guilt.
In 2014, the City of Chicago paid $67 million in settlements and outside lawyers.
That's enough money to support the combined annual expenses of a citywide afterschool program and two nonprofits that serve homeless people.
Between 2012 and 2015, the Police Department exceeded its budget for misconduct lawsuits by almost $200 million.
To pay police and other settlements, the city borrowed money using long-term bonds. Interest payments will more than double the cost to taxpayers for police misconduct.
http://projects.chicagoreporter.com/settlements/search/cases
http://projects.chicagoreporter.com/settlements/
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