Today, the City of Chicago released its 2024 Chicago Police Department (CPD) Litigation Report, in accordance with the requirements set out in paragraphs 548 & 549 of the Consent Decree. The report details civil litigation resolved during the 2024 calendar year for lawsuits against the City, arising from allegations of civil rights violations or injuries due to a vehicle pursuit by CPD members. The issuance of this report reflects the City’s continued commitment to transparency and accountability.

While the total amount of litigation payouts for the categories reached $89.2 million in 2024, up slightly from $81.4 million in 2023, the data shows that the majority of payments stem from reversed conviction cases tied to conduct from past decades. Conversely, claims stemming from more recent alleged use of force allegations show an overall decline in litigation costs, with 2024 resulting in a 53% reduction in payouts from 2022.

“The increase in total payout amounts reflects several strategic settlements designed to mitigate future financial risk and avoid protracted litigation,” said Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry. “The majority of these cases reflect events that occurred years, even decades ago. What we’re seeing now is the result of deliberate reforms put in place to strengthen accountability and build public trust.”

Key data points from the 2024 report include:

• Use of Force Cases: 37 cases were resolved, with 28 resulting in payouts totaling $9,230,250.00, and representing 10.34% of the amounts paid out in 2024. Use of force cases were resolved at a slightly higher rate than in 2023 but for a total lesser amount paid, as 2023 reported 31 cases resolved, and with 22 cases resulting in a total payout of $14,014,399. While there was a year-over-year increase, totals remain significantly lower than those in 2022 when 55 cases resulted in nearly $20 million in payouts. This fluctuation is partly due to the timing of case resolutions, but the City remains confident that the broader downward trend signals meaningful and lasting progress driven by ongoing reform efforts.

• Reversed Conviction Cases: 9 legacy cases were resolved in 2024, resulting in $48.7 million in payouts, compared to four cases totaling $51.4 million in 2023. These cases typically involve Due Process claims brought under § 1983 of the Civil Rights Act. They include allegations such as fabricated evidence or coerced confessions.

The City is encouraged that the report shows early indications of positive momentum. The continued decline in use of force-related payouts since 2019, even with minor annual fluctuations, suggests progress in the City’s efforts at use of force reform.

“As reforms continue to take root, guided by Mayor Johnson’s administration and Superintendent Snelling’s leadership, we anticipate their impact will become more evident in litigation outcomes over the coming years,” added Richardson-Lowry.

The full report is available on the Department of Law’s website.