By: Ashmar Mandou

The Chicago City Council Progressive Reform Caucus, activists, and Police Accountability Task Force Chair Lori Lightfoot jumpstarted a series of public meetings on police reform on Thursday, July 21st at Malcolm X College. In addition to the town hall meetings, the caucus responded to Mayor Emanuel’s plan for a new community engagement process around police reform and accountability.

“In June, we joined community and civil rights organizations in demanding that the Emanuel administration pursue a comprehensive, citywide community engagement strategy on police accountability and reform, including meetings in the neighborhoods and subject matter hearings in the City Council chambers.

“We feel that community meetings are not enough. We need to hear from experts from around the country on subjects covered in the Police Accountability Task Force Report, including community-police relations, legal oversight and accountability, early intervention and personnel concerns, de-escalation, and transparency. As such, the Police Accountability Subcommittee Chair Ald. Ricardo Muñoz (22) will move forward with plans to convene multiple subject matter hearings in City Council chambers in the coming weeks on those topics. We will invite experts and advocates to testify and answer our questions regarding best practices and the real problems we see on the ground in Chicago.”

On July 22nd, city officials announced steps to “fundamentally reform the city’s police accountability system.” City Council plans to vote on an ordinance in September to replace the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) with a new civilian investigative agency, in addition to creating a new Public Safety Auditor to audit and monitor policing issues. “Every in Chicago deserves a police accountability system that is both trusted and effective, and we are taking the next steps to achieve that goal,” said Emanuel in a statement. “Following conversations with residents, neighborhood organizations, and others, we are taking action that reflects the voices and interests of the community.”

The City Council hearings focused on replacing IPRA and creating the Public Safety Auditor will occur in neighborhoods throughout Chicago. Below is a list of the meetings, all starting at 6:30 p.m.

• August 4: Public hearing at South Shore Cultural Center, hosted by Alderman Willie Cochran and Alderman Leslie Hairston
• August 9: Public hearing at Senn High School, hosted by Alderman Joe Moore and Alderman Harry Osterman
• August 11: Public hearing at Little Village Lawndale High School, hosted by Alderman Ricardo Munoz and Alderman George Cardenas
• August 16: Public hearing at Westinghouse College Prep, hosted by Alderman Emma Mitts and Alderman Jason Ervin
• August 22: Public hearing at North Grand High School, hosted by Alderman John Arena and Alderman Ariel Reboyras