Chicago aldermen moved forward with a substantial $261 million settlement on Monday. This settlement addresses police misconduct cases involving 16 lawsuits against former Chicago Police Department Detective Reynaldo Guevara. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration proposed the resolution, which received approval from the City Council’s Finance Committee.
Many aldermen expressed concern over the high cost yet admitted it was necessary. Alderman Raymond Lopez, a frequent critic of police settlements, commented on the financial burden, likening it to bitter medicine. The council is anticipated to hold a final vote on the settlement later this month. If approved, this settlement will be the largest of its kind in Chicago’s history.
The lawsuits involve 17 men who spent a total of 384 years in prison due to allegations of Guevara framing them for murder. The settlement allocated $680,000 for each year of wrongful imprisonment, explained Jessica Felker, an attorney from the Law Department. Felker emphasized that resolving the lawsuits with the settlement serves as a protection against higher costs if individual suits were lost in court. Negotiations, mediated by U.S. District Judge Mary M. Rowland, spanned approximately 10 months. “This mass settlement provides certainty in exposure and allows payments to be made over time,” Felker noted.
The settlement, if approved, will not close all issues linked to Guevara. The city still faces 23 pending cases and ongoing litigation related to his actions. Felker sighed that more lawsuits might emerge, as nine additional individuals are contesting their convictions. The 17 plaintiffs involved are represented by Loevy & Loevy, which is expected to receive a 40% share of the settlement.
Alderman Bill Conway, vice chair of the Finance Committee, labeled the cost as large yet responsible. Meanwhile, Finance Committee Chair Alderman Pat Dowell acknowledged the necessity of the payout, saying, “When you’re wrong, you’re wrong.” The settlement, set to be disbursed in four installments through 2027 and 2028, will strain Chicago’s finances, as the city frequently exceeds its legal budget allocations.
Last year, Chicago addressed a $90 million settlement involving another police officer using borrowed funds, drawing criticism for impacting the city’s credit rating. To avoid additional borrowing, the city plans to allocate $401 million for lawsuit expenses in the upcoming year. Lopez urged better fiscal planning for police settlements to prevent overspending.
Alderman Nick Sposato encouraged the council to address the remaining Guevara cases promptly, warning against passing the burden to future councils. Alderman Jeanette Taylor questioned changes in policing practices to avoid recurrences, to which Felker responded that interrogations are now recorded and reforms are underway under a consent decree. Taylor also remarked on continuing pensions for Guevara, who cannot lose them without a criminal conviction.
The proposed settlement could set a historical record as the most costly police scandal in Chicago, surpassing the $210 million spent on cases linked to former Commander Jon Burge. Despite his decade-long retirement, Guevara has continuously denied any wrongdoing. Allegations against him include manipulating lineups and coercing confessions, contributing to the wrongful imprisonment of many Latino men. Guevara’s invocation of his Fifth Amendment rights has compounded the city’s financial liability, with prior Guevara-related settlements already amounting to $160 million, including $43 million for cases this year alone.