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The council's finance committee voted this week to recommend
that the third-largest U.S. city pay $5 million to the family of
Laquan McDonald, 17, six months after he was shot 16 times by a
police officer.
The U.S. Department of Justice and state authorities are
investigating McDonald's death at a time of increased scrutiny
of police conduct around the country, including the indictment
last week of a South Carolina police officer in the murder of an
unarmed black man.
The council also is expected to approve a $250,000 payment to
Nanci Koschman, the mother of David Koschman, 21, who died in
2004 after being punched by Richard J. Vanecko, the nephew of
longtime mayor Richard M. Daley and grandson of the late mayor
Richard J. Daley.
Vanecko pleaded guilty to manslaughter last year, after a
lengthy investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times and a special
prosecutor. The Cook County State's Attorney's office declined
to seek charges while Richard M. Daley was mayor.
Nanci Koschman's federal lawsuit accused the police of
conspiring to protect Vanecko, including by fabricating
evidence.
Chicago's chief lawyer said the settlements would save the city
money in future litigation. Chicago paid $54 million in 2014 in
verdicts and settlements from lawsuits against the police.
Also on Wednesday, an ordinance will be introduced to the
council requiring the city to pay $5.5 million and make other
reparations to dozens of victims of police torture in the 1970s
and 1980s.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the reparations package on Tuesday.
The council is expected to vote on it at a later meeting.
(Reporting by Mary Wisniewski; Editing by Mohammad Zargham)
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