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STATE OF ILLINOIS
Lisa Madigan
December 1, 2015
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Over the past week, the City ofChicago ,has o~ce again been confronted with significant j'
questions about the use of excessive force and accountability of the Chicago Police Department.
On November 24,2015, the City released a videotaken from the dashboard camera ?fa CPI! .
vehicle. The video, taken on October 20,2014, shows 17-ye~r-old Laquan McDonald being
fatally shot by a CPD officer. The ~cD9nald shooting is shocking, and it highlights serious
questions about the historic, systemic use of unlawfularid excessive force by Chicago police
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officers and the lack.of accountability for such
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The McDonald shooting is also not the only recent, troubling action by CPD,officers; In the last
five years, media reports have described the following incidents, among others: ..
In October 2014, Detective George Hernandez shot arid killed Ronald Johnson. Mr.
Johnson's mother is suing Detective Hernandez and the City of Chicago in an effort to
have the dash camera video of the shooting released.: Her court filings state that her son
was unarmed at the time of the shooting.
In August 2014, former Commander Glenn Evans was charged with aggravated battery
and official misconduct for allegedly sticking his gun into the mouth of a suspect. Despite
being the subject of more excessive force complaints than any other CPD officer between
1988 and 2008, he had been promoted to the position of Commander in 2012.
500 South Second Street, Springfield, Illinois 62706 (217) 782-1090 TTY: (877) 844-5461 Fax: (217) y82-7046
100 West Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601 (312) 814-3000 TTY: (800) 964-3013 Fax: (312) 814-3806
1001 East Main, Carbondale, Illinois 62901 (618) 529-6400 TTY: (877) 675-9339 Fax: (618) 529-6416
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I know that the vast majority of officers who serve in the Chicago Police D~partment serve with
bravery, honor, and integrity. They risk their lives to serve the public, and they deserve to work
alongside fellow o~ficers. w~o ar~ 'held to the same high standards. The :child~en of Chica~o
deserve to grow up 10 a CIty 10 which they. are safe, protected and served bya police force that IS
fit for this fine City - something that many in our community do not experiehce today.
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I welcome an opportunity
discuss these issues and next steps with you il greater detail. My
office is committed to assisting your investigation in whatever way we can.
Sincerely,
Lisa Madigan
cc:
~anita