Chicago Police Union to Appeal Disciplinary Cases Arbitration
The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 has filed a formal notice to appeal a court order issued by Cook County Judge Michael Mullen. The order scaled back a 2023 provision that granted officers facing dismissal or long-term suspensions the option of having their cases decided by an independent arbitrator rather than the Chicago Police Board. The arbitrator’s ruling also required the city to pay officers who were suspended while their cases were pending, a provision that was also rolled back by Mullen’s order.
The union’s lawyers argue that the order violates officers’ rights under state law and that they will challenge it in court. The City of Chicago had previously voted twice, by large margins, to reject an earlier ruling allowing arbitration in these cases, maintaining that it would undermine transparency since arbitration hearings are not typically open to the public.
The Police Board, led by President Kyle Cooper, has also opposed allowing arbitration in serious misconduct cases. However, arbitrator Edwin Benn had previously ruled that officers have the right to seek arbitration in such cases. The union is now appealing Mullen’s order, which they believe infringes on officers’ rights and could lead to lengthy litigation.
