Chicago City Council's Finance Committee recommends settling 2 Chicago Police Department misconduct lawsuits for over $35 million
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago is proceeding with plans to resolve a couple of long-standing police misconduct lawsuits, costing the city over $35 million.

The Chicago City Council’s Finance Committee recommended the settlements on Monday.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Council members expressed serious concerns about how the city is going to pay for them when it is already facing a major budget crisis.

The city had only allocated $82 million for settling police misconduct claims this year, and that budget was depleted two months ago. Now, cases involving two discredited former detectives are contributing to an already challenging budget year.

“So, this is you see, a tough one. Anytime you mention Burge or Guevara or Watts, it’s always a scary thing,” said 38th Ward Ald. Nick Sposato.

The Finance Committee grappled with two police misconduct or torture cases, including one connected to notorious former CPD Detective Jon Burge.

READ MORE | Judge overturns wrongful conviction in 1990 Chicago shooting case: ‘I got my name back’

One case involves Jackie Wilson, wrongfully convicted of the 1982 murders of two police officers, having spent decades in prison. The city plans to settle his lawsuit for $12.7 million.

The other big dollar settlement stems from another wrongful conviction case, this one involving former CPD Detective Reynaldo Guevara.

The Finance Committee recommended settling with Roberto Almodovar for $17 million after he spent 23 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

There are also hundreds of other police misconduct cases still to be reckoned with, and the impact could be stunning.

“This is a huge elephant in a room north of a billion dollars of unfunded liability that the taxpayers ultimately have to pay for,” said 36th Ward Ald. Gil Villegas.

The Better Government Association says the city owes it taxpayers to be more honest in budgeting for these settlements.

“It is both transparency and accountability and also, if in budgeting, we took a more realistic look at the actual cost, we could be more strategic as a city about how to deal with these backlogs of cases,” said BGA President David Greising.

Several alderpersons wonder how the city is going to pay for all these settlements.

“Clearly, the answer to that question is not in this room right now,” said Finance Committee Chair and 3rd Ward Ald. Pat Dowell.

“Well, she’s absolutely wrong. This is the place to talk about it. It’s in this room right now that taxpayers are expecting us to bring up the subject, to discuss it and make sure that we can start formulating resolution for it,” said 32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack.

READ MORE | Lawsuit alleges Chicago police pattern of excessive force in officer-involved shootings

There is also concern about the need for better police training and accountability to minimize future lawsuits.

“If you stop these things from happening in the first place, then you’re not going to see the future of it. I mean, we’re dealing with stuff that’s from the 80s, at this point, so I think we should all shudder to what that might look like 20 years from now,” said 40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez.

The settlements will go to the full city council on Wednesday, but with hundreds of other police abuse or misconduct cases still outstanding, this is financial burden that the council is going to have to deal with for years to come.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Blue city officers flocking to cop-friendly red states, police leader says: ‘Why would anyone stay?’

Police Officers Moving to Red States in Droves: ‘What’s the Point of Staying?’ Says Union Leader

In cities predominantly overseen by Democratic leaders, law enforcement officers are relocating…
Michael Strahan, Kendra Scott join 'Shark Tank' season 17 as guest Sharks on ABC and Hulu 

Michael Strahan and Kendra Scott to Appear as Guest Sharks on ‘Shark Tank’ Season 17 on ABC and Hulu

Celebrity entrepreneurs join returning Sharks for another season of million-dollar deals and…
California pastor John MacArthur hospitalized with life-threatening illness as church community rallies

Renowned Evangelical Pastor and Theologian, John MacArthur, Passes Away at 86 Following Health Struggles

John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, died…
Westminster, California suing former police officer Nicole Brown accused of stealing $600K in workers' compensation

City of Westminster, California files lawsuit against ex-police officer Nicole Brown for allegedly taking $600K in workers’ comp benefits

WESTMINSTER, Calif. — The city of Westminster, California is taking legal action…
Explore Spain's prestigious Priorat wine region from this high-design hotel

Experience Spain’s Prestigious Priorat Wine Region from a Stylish Hotel Retreat

Like a robust bottle of red from Spain’s Tarragona province, Gran Hotel…
HUNT, TEXAS - JULY 12: A law enforcement officer walks towards cleaning crews on July 12, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. More than 160 people are still missing after storm cells halted over the area, dumping nearly 15 inches of rain and causing a 22-foot rise along the Guadalupe River. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Severe Weather Alert in Texas Following Deadly Floods That Claimed 132 Lives

A NEW weather emergency is unfolding in Texas as more heavy rain…
Unraveling the Jeffrey Epstein Conspiracy: Truth or Cover-Up?

Exposing the Jeffrey Epstein Mystery: Reality or Concealment?

When the Department of Justice released its final conclusion about Jeffrey Epstein—that…
Przemyslaw Jeziorski: UC Berkeley professor shot and killed in Greece, family says

Family Reports: UC Berkeley Professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski Fatally Shot in Greece

BERKELEY, Calif. — A UC Berkeley professor was shot and killed while…
Group of girls in white dresses posing for a photo.

The Ominous Truth Behind Camp Mystic: Survivor Shares Why Girls Didn’t Recognize Fellow Campers’ Distress

GIRLS huddled inside their cabins as blood-curdling screams rang out in the…
Pregnant fitness influencer accuses boyfriend of cheating with over 20 woman

Pregnant Fitness Influencer Claims Boyfriend Cheated with More Than 20 Women

An influencer has accused her partner of cheating with “25 plus” women…
Donald Trump being helped off stage at a campaign event.

Why a Major Tragedy Was Nearly Averted in the Trump Assassination Attempt – More Needs to Be Done

A FORMER Secret Service agent has highlighted that Donald Trump’s troubled rally…
Police arrest international traveler allegedly carrying nearly $3M in drugs bound for Brazil

International Traveler Arrested for Allegedly Smuggling Drugs Worth $3M to Brazil

Police arrested a man who allegedly tried to carry almost $3 million…