CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - A Cook County Judge has put a temporary stop to proceedings before the Chicago Police Board after Mayor Brandon Johnson delayed a vote on the arbitration issue.
The City Council was to vote Wednesday on whether to reject an arbitrator’s decision that the most serious police discipline cases be decided by arbitration.
It was delayed until the next meeting.
“As expected, the coward mayor punted the ball and made sure that it didn’t get called for a vote,” Fraternal Order of Police President John Cartanzara said.
Later, in court, where the FOP is seeking an order upholding the arbitration decision, Judge Michael Mullen ordered that the Police Board be effectively shut down until Feb. 24 to give the City Council more time.
In October, an arbitrator ruled that police officers facing firings or a year-long suspension or more could opt to have their disciplinary cases decided by closed door arbitration instead of the Police Board.
The arbitrator has refused to change his decision. So, the next move is up to the Council.
Committee Chair Ald. Michael Rodriguez acknowledged Tuesday this is likely headed to court after today's vote before the full City Council.
“The smallest percentage of cases that are most severe, 365 days of discipline or more, I think the public deserves as much insight on those cases as possible,” Rodriguez said.
Cecily Porter Adams, the City's chief labor negotiator, said arbitrator Edwin Benn's ruling should not stand.
“His conclusions that are proposals are consistent with established law is simply wrong, as a matter of law,” Adams said. “They are also wrong as a matter of policy. They are wrong as a matter of transparency, and they are wrong for the City and the police department.”
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