Chicago police officers will be allowed to file felony gun charges without first getting approval from a prosecutor throughout the city, Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke announced Friday.
The change allows Chicago police officers to charge those arrested with unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon — which are felonies — without getting the approval of an assistant state’s attorney after a CPD lieutenant signs off. The arrests must have been captured on officers’ body-worn cameras, according to the guidelines.
The program has the support of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling…