ACLU Files Lawsuit Seeking Federal Oversight of Chicago Police Reform

CHICAGO, IL — The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against the City of Chicago and its police department, alleging that reforms haven't gone far enough to protect people with disabilities and mental illness. The ACLU filed the suit alongside the advocacy group Equip for Equality and several other Chicago-based organizations that advocate for people with disabilities. The lawsuit alleges the Chicago Police Department has failed to properly train and monitor officers in their interactions with people with disabilities, and with Black and Latino residents.

The lawsuit alleges the CPD has used "disproportionate" force on minorities, and aren't deployed with "critical de-escalation skills".

"For people of color with a disability, these disparities are compounded, too often leading to injury or death at the hands of the police," the ACLU alleged in a statement. The suit claims that up to a half of victims of police brutality across the nation are people with disabilities.

“We hear regular accounts of frightening, dangerous interactions between Chicago police and people with disabilities,” said Barry Taylor, vice president for civil rights at Equip for Equality, in a media release. “Police need the training and preparation necessary to ensure that these interactions do not occur in the future. This must be a part of police reform in this City.”

The lawsuit cites a Justice Department report, released to the public earlier this year, that claimed the CPD has used excessive force and failed to appropriately train and manage its officers.

"The lawsuit alleges that these deficiencies are causing a pattern of excessive force, encouraging a culture of cover-up, and failing to provide Chicago with a community-based policing strategy to promote public safety," The ACLU said in a statement.

A Chicago Police Department spokesperson said officers do undergo training that focuses on how to interact with people with disabilities.

The 53-page lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction to stop the CPD's policies and practices that have been allegedly allowing the use of force against minorities. The suit also seeks to have all court costs covered by the city.

AP Photo/Teresa Crawford