In a move to gain more control, the Chicago police union has decided to invest in local elections for newly established district councils.
This initiative is set up as an effort by the rank-and-file cops of the city’s law enforcement agency that seeks to add another layer of oversight over their membership.
Contesting Results of Recent Voting Efforts
The Fraternal Order of Chicago Police Lodge number seven recently employed two election attorneys to the tune of $25,000 in order to thwart candidates from running for office within three police districts.
The lawyers’ efforts were challenged at a hearing held Friday downtown. Reports show this move could be an attempt by the union to influence upcoming local races with their own preferred outcomes in mind.
Veronica Arreola, a 24th police district candidate in Rogers Park on Chicago’s north side, has called out city officials for disregarding community councils and preventing long-time local organizers from running their campaigns.
According to her, the decision hardly shows active support for safety measures within the neighborhood.
Chicago’s biggest police union is spending money to win power on new oversight councils.
The police union paid $25,000 to two election attorneys to kick candidates off the ballot in police district races. https://t.co/FGXHAPI4dD
— Prison_Health (@Prison_Health) January 15, 2023
Police union-backed candidate, Mitchell Rose, has challenged the nomination of Officer Arreola for Chicago’s 24th district.
The attorney representing Mr. Rose, Abbasi stated this move was necessary in order to contest the results of recent voting efforts by members of the police force.
At a recent hearing, attorney Amir Abbasi revealed his representation of eight candidates in their local district council races.
His involvement was recently made more conspicuous when state records uncovered a $10,000 payment he’d received from the police union weeks prior.
Opportunities to Address Injustice Head-on
Police officer Abbasi has announced his candidacy for the 25th police district in Grand Central, receiving assistance from a union to collect votes. With support and enthusiasm behind him, he is ready to tackle issues in this Chicago community with innovative ideas.
The FOP recently took a bold move in early November, by granting attorney Avila an extraordinary $15,000 payment.
The purpose of the transaction was to propel impartial candidates – those without anti-police agendas – forward during hearings; though Avila declined to disclose exactly how many were involved in his cause.
Chicago Mayoral Race Finalized With 9 Candidates, as Debates Begin and Police Union Backs Vallas | Chicago News | WTTW https://t.co/mB9cHr17yD
— lisamicheledavis (@lisamicheledavi) January 17, 2023
John Catanzara, the president of Chicago’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, failed to respond to questions regarding an ordinance recently instated after decades of law enforcement misconduct.
The legislation calls for city-wide district councils in remembrance and reaction against atrocities such as police torture under the notorious commander Jon Burge. This also mentions deaths like those Rekia Boyd and Laquan McDonald tragically suffered at the hands of officers.
Frank Chapman, a well-known civil rights activist and advocate for social change, recently celebrated the passing of a groundbreaking piece of legislation.
This law enables communities traditionally marginalized by racial discrimination to elect representatives that will better serve their interests instead of police forces. Communities finally have an opportunity to address injustice head-on with this empowering new measure.
This article appeared in TheDailyBeat and has been published here with permission.
