From Chicago Sun-Times · · 2m
Illinois Supreme Court hears police disciplinary process fight
Chicago police union and city clash over public hearings for officer disciplinary cases.
In brief
Chicago police union and city clash over public hearings for officer disciplinary cases. Illinois Supreme Court will rule on whether Chicago police disciplinary hearings must be public after a union appeal following an appellate court decision that allowed arbitration but required public hearings. Originally reported…
Illinois Supreme Court hearing
Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday morning over Chicago police disciplinary process handling.
Legal battle timeline
The dispute began at the union bargaining table and moved through City Council to state courts, halting Chicago’s police oversight system.
Appellate court ruling
Last year, appellate judges ruled officers could have disciplinary cases heard by an arbitrator instead of the Chicago Police Board.
Public hearings requirement
The appeals court also required disciplinary hearings to remain open to the public, prompting the police union’s appeal to the state Supreme Court.
FOP lawyer argument
Matt Pierce, lawyer for the Fraternal Order of Police, said there’s no statute or public policy requiring labor proceedings to be open to the public.
Public policy debate
Pierce argued the city is taking broad policy statements and suggesting they require certain hearings to be held in public.
Federal consent decree question
A Supreme Court justice asked whether the federal consent decree mandating Chicago police reforms is public policy.
FOP lawyer response
Pierce responded that a consent decree cannot establish public policy for the entire state of Illinois.
City lawyer perspective
A city lawyer argued that Chicago’s facts matter, including 60 years of deep community distrust of police.
Public confidence argument
Community members want to know if officers they call are 'a person of integrity' and public hearings build trust.
Union president stance
Union president John Catanzara said the decision is 'pretty clear' and the city 'could never clear' jurisdictional hurdles.
Arbitration payment issue
The court will also rule on whether officers facing firing must remain paid while cases are pending.
City lawyer’s argument
City lawyer Aya Barnea argued the city would face unfair financial burdens if officers remain paid.
Current case status
Only four of 31 officers currently facing charges have elected to have cases heard by the police board; 27 remain in limbo.
The bottom line
Illinois Supreme Court will rule on whether Chicago police disciplinary hearings must be public after a union appeal following an appellate court decision that allowed arbitration but required public hearings.
