CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago aldermen have given preliminary approval for nearly $3 million to settle outstanding lawsuits, mostly for alleged police misconduct.
The City Council Finance Committee has approved a settlement of $2 million for the family of Julia Lynn Callaway.
First Assistant Corporation Counsel Jeff Levine said she was killed in 2018 when she was struck by a speeding car being chased by Chicago police.
Officers started the chase because they said they smelled marijuana in the car and say they suspected someone had a gun. No weapon was found.
There were four “no” votes, including Ald. Ray Lopez who noted that the driver of the car, who’s still jailed, pays nothing.
The other cases included a $250,0000 for an allegedly wrongful police shooting in 2014 and $300,000 for a wrongful conviction. That $300,000 was for a man who said he was convicted and jailed for murder after police failed to inform him of his rights.
There was also a $250,000-settlement for lawyers and groups alleging that police routinely took longer to respond to 9-1-1 calls in Black and brown communities.
The full City Council is expected to give final approval to the settlements when it meets on Wednesday.
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