A Tribune analysis of 445 police-related lawsuits during Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s tenure found the city resisted the plaintiffs’ requests for potential evidence in 109 cases. In 83 of those cases — more than 75 percent of the time — the judge sided with the plaintiff, at least in part, and ordered the city to comply with the request.
83
Judge ordered city to turn over potential evidence
26
No order given
The 109 cases, by types
| Type | Cases |
|---|---|
| Serious excessive force Distinction used by the city to indicate the most severe injury allegations, including police-involved shootings. |
|
| Minor excessive force Distinction used by the city when the alleged injuries are not considered severe. |
|
| Reversed convictions Lawsuits from those convicted of crimes, only to have them overturned after sentencing. |
|
| Malicious prosecution and detention Lawsuits often claim the plaintiff’s civil rights were violated when they were knowingly prosecuted or detained by police without probable cause. |
|
| False arrest Cases that allege police arrested the plaintiff without probable cause or another legally justifiable reason. |
|
Detailing the sanctions
In 5 cases the city’s conduct was found to be so egregious that federal judges took the unusual step of sanctioning it.
| Case (Year sanction was levied) | Description | Sanction cost |
|---|---|---|
| Foltin et al vs. Police Officer Ugarte, et al (2011) | Judge finds city failed to actively investigate the identity of an officer referenced in lawsuit | $1,794.50 |
| Fields v. City of Chicago, et al (2012) | Judge awards sanctions for city’s refusal to answer questions about who found a missing file and where it was found. | $9,687.50 |
| Volland v. The City of Chicago, et al (2013) | Judge rules that the city did not respond to discovery requests — in particular, records of complaints lodged against officers — quick enough. | $5,175 |
| Hadnott v. City of Chicago, et al (2015) | Judge finds city failed to turn over a police log related to plaintiff Jonathan Hadnott’s allegation. Orders a new trial and awards attorney fees to Hadnott’s lawyer. | $350,000 |
| Coyler v. City of Chicago (2015) | Commonly referred to as the “Pinex case,” judge finds a city attorney intentionally withheld evidence and chastises the law department’s sloppy discovery practices. Orders new trial and attorneys fees. | Still to be determined. |
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