Dozens of people who say they were victims of a corrupt former Chicago police sergeant and his crew are a step closer to being compensated by the city, after a vote by Chicago aldermen.
Members of the City Council Finance Committee on Monday voted to approve a $90 million "global" payment to 180 people who say convicted Sgt. Ronald Watts and his team in Bronzeville tried to shake them down for protection money, and then framed them for crimes when they didn't pay up.
"Not enough is being made about what a staggeringly good outcome this is for the city," said West Loop alderman Bill Conway (34th Ward), who praised the city's Law Department for helping head off "a large unknown financial liability" if the Watts cases were left unsettled. Last week, Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry estimated the potential future liability tied to Watts-related cases at between $350 million and $500 million.
Northwest side alderman Nick Sposato (38th Ward) echoed praise for the city's lawyers, though the retired firefighter noted that the people in line for payments were largely drug dealers working out of the old Ida B. Wells Homes. "These aren't honor roll students - Boy Scouts getting this money."
The committee chair, South side alderwoman Pat Dowell (3rd), said the proposed payout "helps close the door" on the Watts cases, and "helps (the city) move forward."
The full Council will now take up the proposed settlement at its next meeting on September 25.