Emanuel introduces ordinance to replace IPRA

By Adam Chappelle, WLS-AM 890 News
(CHICAGO) There will be a new agency charged with investigating police wrongdoing in Chicago, under an ordinance introduced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel Monday. It’ll be called the Civilian Office on Police Accountability, and it will replace the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA).

The new agency will not have the authority to hire its own independent counsel. Alderman Scott Waguespack said Monday some of his colleagues are pushing for the city Law Department to control the new agency’s expenditures and how the agency’s outside lawyers would be chosen.

The North Side alderman also asked Mayor Emanuel not to try to rush the ordinance through the City Council next month. He wants to take the ordinance back to community members and organizations that were involved, saying that 2 weeks isn’t enough time for all parties to have their say on it.