O'Shea's 'Day Of Rest' Ordinance For CPD Officers Gains Momentum

CHICAGO — An ordinance introduced by Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) last month that would provide a minimum of one day off per week for Chicago police officers. The ordinance has gained 38 co-sponsors on the Chicago City Council.

Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburge released an evaluation Monday documenting that in the months of April and May, many officers worked between 11 and 13 consecutive days without a break. A full copy of the Inspector General’s evaluation can be found here.

“These are unsafe working conditions that place an inhuman burden on our officers and their families," O'Shea said in an update to 19th Ward residents. "Moreover, this evaluation focused on spring months, and does not include cancelled days off from the summer months, which have historically been when we see the most days off cancelled.

"Overworked, exhausted law enforcement officers cannot be reasonably expected to perform their duties in a safe and effective manner. Federal law currently limits the number of hours that air traffic controllers and truck drivers can work in a week because having overtired workers in those positions represents a serious risk to public safety. Surely the same is true of armed law enforcement professionals."

Under O’Shea’s proposed ordinance, officers would retain the right to voluntarily work on that day off, but could not be required to do so. Exemptions do exist for emergency situations.

“Moving forward, I will continue to work on this important issue to provide a badly needed day of rest to our officers,” O’Shea said.