Illinois Attorney General Requests Federal Probe of Chicago Police Department

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate whether the Chicago Police Department’s practices violate federal and constitutional law. Madigan said Tuesday that the “shocking death” of Laquan McDonald, a black 17-year-old who was fatally shot by white police officer in 2014, raises serious questions about the use of lawful and excessive force. She says trust in the police department is “broken.” There is also mention of former police commander Jon Burge, under whose watch Chicago Police officers tortured hundreds of suspects, coercing false confessions.

“The shocking death of Laquan McDonald is the latest tragedy in our city that highlights serious questions about the use of unlawful and excessive force by Chicago police officers and the lack of accountability for such abuse. Trust in the Chicago Police Department is broken,” Madigan said in a statement. “I know the vast majority of officers in the Chicago Police Department serve with bravery, honor and integrity. The children in all of Chicago’s communities deserve to grow up in a city in which they are protected and served by the police.”