When someone falls victim to police brutality, misconduct, or civil rights violations in Chicago, they deserve justice for the harm police officers or other law enforcement officers—like United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents—have done. Achieving justice is hard, especially when victims of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) or ICE misconduct don’t know where to turn. The Chicago police brutality lawyers in our personal injury law firm are committed to helping victims of police misconduct or police shootings in Chicago fight for the justice and compensation they deserve.
In this Article
What Is Chicago Police or ICE Misconduct?
Misconduct by law enforcement occurs when officers from agencies like CPD or ICE violate your constitutional or civil rights. These violations can include excessive force, false arrest, unlawful searches, malicious prosecution, retaliation, or discriminatory enforcement.
How Common Is Police Misconduct in Chicago?
Police misconduct remains a significant issue in Chicago, with thousands of complaints filed against officers each year. In 2024, the city paid a record $107.5 million to resolve 122 police misconduct lawsuits.
How Can Victims Get Help?
Victims have rights and can seek accountability through oversight bodies.
Chicago Police Department Actions
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability: COPA is Chicago’s independent agency that investigates complaints of misconduct or police abuse against Chicago Police Department officers.
The Chicago Police Board: CPB is an independent civilian body that decides disciplinary cases involving Chicago police officers.
Federal Agent Misconduct Actions
For misconduct by federal agents, such as those with ICE, the process is different. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) is an independent watchdog that investigates abuse and misconduct within DHS agencies. You can file a complaint directly through the DHS OIG complaint portal.
Chicago Police Department Accountability
Common Types of Misconduct Cases
Common examples of misconduct cases include:
Excessive use of force: more force than reasonably necessary
False arrest: detained without legal cause or probable cause
Illegal search or seizure: search without warrant or valid basis
Malicious prosecution: charges without cause, later dismissed
Failure to intervene: an officer doesn’t stop another’s misconduct
Recording retaliation: being punished for lawfully filming police
Racial profiling: stops or searches based on race or ethnicity
Denial of medical care: withholding needed care in custody
ICE misconduct: warrantless raids, resisting arrest, unlawful detainers, excessive force
How to File a Complaint of Police Misconduct
Anyone with a police misconduct claim wishing to file a complaint against a Chicago Police Department member may submit it to COPA via:
COPA 24-Hour Complaint Line
312-743-COPA (312-743-2672); TTY 312-746-3598
COPA Online Complaint Form
The online complaint form takes about thirty minutes to complete, and media files like photos, videos, and audio can be emailed to COPA-info@chicagocopa.org.
Mail
Civilian Office of Police Accountability c/o COPA Intake Section
1615 W. Chicago Ave., 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60622
In Person
Please call before an in-person visit. The hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
COPA Main Office
1615 W. Chicago Avenue, 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60622
312-746-3609
How to Get Help If You Are Injured by a Chicago Police Officer
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries due to Chicago law enforcement officials’ brutality or misconduct, you may be entitled to compensation. The Chicago police misconduct lawyers in our law firm represent many victims in cases ranging from traffic stop injuries to sexual assault to wrongful death, pursuing damages even when the at-fault party is a police officer. Contact our Chicago police brutality attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your police misconduct case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for police brutality victims filing a lawsuit against a government agency is one year from the date when the injury occurred, with certain exceptions. Reach out to an experienced attorney to start your civil rights lawsuit today.
If you or a loved one has experienced an injury due to police brutality or misconduct, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm that has been done.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Latisha S.
Great service. They helped me get my money, and everyone was very pleasant even though the health insurance took a while. Everything was on point on Kryder’s side.
(312) 223-1700