Appeals court backs firing decision

An Illinois appeals court upheld the Chicago Police Board's June 2023 decision to fire Sgt. Alex Wolinski for his role in a botched 2019 raid on social worker Anjanette Young's home.

The raid on Anjanette Young

In February 2019, police burst into Young's home looking for a man with a gun. Young was undressed and getting ready for bed when officers entered the wrong address.

Forty minutes handcuffed naked

Wolinski allowed Young to remain handcuffed and naked for 40 minutes in a room full of male officers, even after they realized they were at the wrong address.

Failure of leadership cited

The Police Board found Wolinski's inability to lead or intervene allowed the 'horrible treatment' of Young to occur and continue, citing his 'failure of leadership.'

“allowed the horrible treatment of Ms. Young to occur and continue”

Wolinski's defense rejected

Wolinski claimed he made 'a reasoned, although inappropriate, judgment' during a chaotic situation, but the appeals court found his firing was not arbitrary or unreasonable.

Police Board voted in June 2023

The Chicago Police Board voted to discharge Wolinski in June 2023, finding his actions led to public distrust and lack of confidence in the police department.

Cook County judge sided with board

When Wolinski challenged the firing with the city, a Cook County judge sided with the Police Board in October 2024, prompting Wolinski to appeal.

Young received 2.9 million settlement

In 2021, Young sued the city and 12 officers involved in the raid and received a $2.9 million settlement for the wrongful raid and mistreatment.

Young becomes police reform advocate

After the settlement, Young became an outspoken advocate for police reform and was selected in April to serve on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability.

Superintendent David Brown acted

In 2021, a day after the Civilian Office of Police Accountability released its findings, then-Police Superintendent David Brown moved to fire Wolinski.

Wolinski now works for Niles

State records show Wolinski now works for the Niles Police Department after his firing from the Chicago Police Department.

Law Department statement

The city's Law Department said the court appropriately upheld the Police Board's findings that Wolinski exhibited extremely serious shortcomings and that his conduct warranted discharge.