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Chicago rejects arbitrator's ruling, refusing officers the ability to bypass police board

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Published  December 13, 2023 4:44pm CST
Chicago Police Department
FOX 32 Chicago

Chicago City Council rejects police misconduct arbitration proposal

Late Wednesday afternoon, the Chicago City Council rejected a police misconduct arbitration proposal. Tia Ewing breaks down what this means for the police union and Chicago residents.

CHICAGO - The Chicago City Council rejected a police misconduct arbitration proposal during a contentious meeting Wednesday.

Temperatures reached a fever pitch over the contract as the Council voted for officers to get more money with a two-year contract extension.

The annual raise will be doubled to 5 percent, costing an additional $60 million in 2024.

In response to police discipline, a divided council rejected an arbitrator's ruling 33 to 17, challenging a proposal that would have granted officers the ability to bypass the police board. 

This decision would have allowed those facing disciplinary actions over a year to seek a potentially more sympathetic arbitrator, conducting proceedings behind closed doors.

Defeating the arbitration clause required a 60 percent vote from the council.

It now heads back to the arbitrator.