The Chicago City Council Finance Committee is recommending the city pay around $3 million in settlements for two people killed in wrongful police chases, one person injured by a police car, and another injured by a police officer.
With little discussion, the Finance Committee approved a $1.5 million settlement for the family of 71-year-old Ezell Island and $1 million for the family of Mignonne Robinson. Both were killed by vehicles involved in police chases officials say were wrongly initiated.
The committee also endorsed a $400,000 award the city's Law Department recommended for a 71-year-old man who was hurt in a crash involving a patrol car.
There was a brief debate over a $280,000 award for 23-year-old activist Miracle Boyd, who had one of her front teeth knocked out by a police officer during a 2020 social justice protest around the Columbus statue in Grant Park.
During public comment, Boyd, who was 18 at the time, told aldermen the officer "should not have done this."
"He used excessive force. He lied on his report about what I had on, how tall I was, what I was doing, and even the fact that I had assaulted another police officer, which we know is not true."
Northwest side Alderman Nick Sposato (38th Ward), who is a staunch supporter of police officers, objected to the payment, telling colleagues, "We'd be a bunch of fools to support this money."
The measure now goes to the full Council, which is set to meet Wednesday.