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Election Night Hate Crimes Lawsuit Goes Further
November 18, 2008 – 12:19 pm
Next Chicago Cop Watch Meeting 11/20
November 15, 2008 – 2:49 pm
Lichen Lending Library
1921 S. Blue Island, Pilsen
(A block East of S Ashland Ave & W 19th St)
7-9 pm
Our next Copwatch organizational meeting will be held Thursday November 20, 2008 at the Lichen Lending Library! If you are interested in helping plan the future of Copwatch, you must attend a meeting, where we will learn how to fight against police brutality through community patrols, education, and direct action! The meeting is, of course, free and open to all members of the public who are not affiliated with a law enforcement agency.
Email contact@chicagocopwatch.org or call (312)402-7949 for more information.
Police Department’s treatment of mentally ill woman to remain focus of federal lawsuit, judge rules
November 13, 2008 – 4:17 pm
By David Heinzmann | Tribune reporter
November 13, 2008
The Chicago Police Department’s treatment of a mentally ill California woman while in custody on a minor trespassing charge in 2006 will remain at the crux of a federal lawsuit her family filed, a federal judge has ruled.
City lawyers had moved to dismiss numerous counts in the lawsuit brought by Rick and Kathy Paine on behalf of their daughter, Christina Eilman. She suffered permanent brain damage and other injuries when she was sexually assaulted and propelled out the seventh-floor window of a South Side housing project after police officials abruptly released her in an unfamiliar area while she was suffering a psychotic episode.
Some counts were dismissed. But claims that a police officer put Eilman at grave risk by abandoning her in a high-crime neighborhood, and that the department has a systemic problem of ignoring its policies regarding help for mentally ill inmates, will stay in the case, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall ruled last week.
She said in her ruling that several police officers and supervisors were made aware of Eilman’s condition but chose not to hospitalize her for psychiatric evaluation.
The judge dismissed a count claiming the city violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, but left room for the family to refile its claim.
dheinzmann@tribune.com
U.S. rep: ‘I hope this was not a case of racial profiling’
November 13, 2008 – 10:17 am
- Danny Davis holds his driver’s license after appearing in Traffic Court for a ticket issued to him last year for driving left of center. Davis says he was a victim or racial profiling. (Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times)
NOT GUILTY | Davis claimed last year he was given ticket for “driving while black”
BY MARK J. KONKOL Staff Reporter [ suntimes.com ]
Rep. Danny Davis was found not guilty Wednesday of “driving left of center” in Lawndale last November — a ticket Davis had blamed on racial profiling.
The Traffic Court trial did little to shed light on what happened when Chicago Police curbed Davis’ black sedan and ticketed him for an alleged lane violation. The Chicago Police officer who spoke to Davis during the traffic stop did not appear in court. That officer’s partner, Police Officer Laura Kuhlmann, testified that Davis was driving a gray car on 16th Street and crossed the double yellow line when turning left onto Kedzie.
Cook County Judge Martin Coughlin kept discussion focused on Davis’ alleged left turn crossing the center line and refused to hear testimony from Kuhlmann about a second time she claimed Davis’ vehicle drifted over the double yellow lines. Davis remained silent.
Coughlin dismissed the charge, saying “of course” Davis crossed the double yellow line — that’s what happens when you make a left turn.
Man found dead in police lockup
November 12, 2008 – 8:30 am
A man was found dead this morning in a holding cell at a South Loop police station, Chicago police said.
The unidentified man was found unresponsive in the Central District lockup, 1718 S. State St., about 4 a.m.
It’s unclear how the man died. An autopsy will be performed either today or Thursday at the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
–Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Breaking News Center
Police torture on trial
November 11, 2008 – 9:15 am
Column: Stanley Howard (socialistworker.org)
It was common knowledge for years that Jon Burge oversaw a torture ring in Chicago police stations–but the most powerful officials in the city and state did nothing.
November 11, 2008
YEAH, YEAH, YEAH! Former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge was finally indicted and arrested. It’s about time someone had the courage to stand up and take action against this racist maniac.
I should be happy about this historic event, but I’m not, because my happiness is overshadowed by much disappointment.
Allegations Of Election Night Police Abuse Investigated
November 11, 2008 – 8:47 am
CHICAGO (STNG) - The Independent Police Review Authority is investigating “multiple allegations” against Chicago Police officers who allegedly pepper-sprayed civilians following Barack Obama’s election victory on Tuesday night.
A family filed a federal lawsuit Friday charging that officers in unmarked squad cars pepper-sprayed and shouted racial slurs at their young children as they drove on the West Side.
Christina Ballard and Cornelius Voss were driving their young niece home Tuesday night following Obama’s win when three unmarked police cars began driving alongside them, according to family attorney Gregory Kulis.
The incident happened about 10:30 p.m. in the 5700 block of West Division Street, after the three girls — ages 11, 6 and 1 — started yelling “Yay! Obama” out the open car windows, Kulis said.
Police shoot 2 men, killing 1
November 10, 2008 – 11:47 am
Tribune staff report - November 10, 2008
An armed man was shot and killed by police Saturday hours before a second man was wounded by officers in separate incidents on the South Side, a Chicago police spokesman said.
About 8:40 p.m. Saturday, an officer killed an armed man who confronted the officer in the 4400 block of South King Drive in Bronzeville, authorities said.
The second shooting was about 12:45 a.m. Sunday at 65th and Wood Streets in West Englewood.
Police Pepper-Sprayed Us for Celebrating Obama Win, Family Claims
November 8, 2008 – 1:45 pm
Christine Ballard
A hate crime lawsuit was filed this week against several Chicago police officers, accusing them of pepper-spraying a family group, including children, who were celebrating Barack Obama’s win.
Christine Ballard and Cornelius Voss said they were driving with their children and other relatives on Election Night when an unmarked squad car passed them. The officers allegedly made some racial comments and pepper sprayed the group.
“At that point, I could not breathe, and that’s when my kids started hollering … ‘Mommy, it’s in my face, I can’t see,’” Ballard said.
The group was treated at a local hospital, but they said police would not file a report. The lawsuit is also asking the Police Department to help determine who the officers were.