A judge has shut down all proceedings before Chicago Police Board including case of Officer Adolfo Bolanos who fatally shot a 17 year old, until City Council decides on hearing transparency issue
Chicago Police Officer Adolfo Bolanos finds himself at the center of a heated debate as disciplinary charges are brought against him for the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy during a foot pursuit in North Lawndale in 2019. The Chicago Police Board announced these charges last Friday, amidst escalating tensions regarding the transparency of the hearing process.
At the core of the controversy is the decision by arbitrator Edwin Benn, which allows officers facing dismissal or suspensions over one year to opt for closed-door arbitration, bypassing the public scrutiny of the police board. This ruling, stemming from contentious contract negotiations between the city and its largest police union, has ignited a political firestorm.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has urged alderpersons to reject the arbitrator’s decision, advocating for a disciplinary system that prioritizes public transparency and accountability. However, a judge’s intervention has suspended all proceedings before the police board, pending a Council vote scheduled for Thursday.