With the passage of the ECPS ordinance, the People’s Ordinance, Chicago now has the most democratic police accountability system anywhere in the United States. District Councils are an essential arm of that democratic system, empowering directly-elected community members to bring the needs of their communities to the forefront on issues of policing and public safety. For too long, our current system has not served us well, has been unjust, and has been disastrous for many residents. Police have committed unchecked abuses and communities are starved of resources; meanwhile, we continue to increase the already inflated police budget. We don’t need career politicians or candidates who will seek to shield the police from accountability. We need People’s Candidates!

Because of this, we have identified below guiding principles that a community candidate for District Council would support. We respect that the democratic nature of this system means we cannot predetermine which issues require the greatest focus in a given community, or what the priorities of a given District Council candidate should be. In this fight, we are not endorsing candidates, but we will continue to uplift these issues. These are concepts to be added to any candidate’s platform, and our support for these issues will serve to elevate all candidates who will implement them with guidance from their community.

Platform

Community Involvement: The District Councils will be the eyes, ears and voice of the community. District Council members should first and foremost be centering, enabling and facilitating community voice in policing. This includes, but is not limited to:

• • Ensuring frequent community engagement monthly meetings are inclusive and empowering for the community.

  • Facilitating access to data, documents and records for the community to make decisions.

Community Control of the Police: District Council members should work to enable people to determine who polices their community and how their communities are policed. This includes, but is not limited to:

• • Ending police brutality and eliminating discriminatory practices with community input of best practices

  • Holding police accountable and justice for families that have been harmed by the police.

  • Strengthening, enhancing, and improving the police accountability structures to meet the needs and priorities of the community.

Community Alternatives to Police: District Council will work to develop and expand restorative justice practices in the district. This includes community alternatives that work toward healing and restoring trust beyond policing. This includes, but is not limited to:

• • Supporting city and community programs, policy and campaigns that provide emergency response services for mental health, and reducing racist surveillance programs.

  • Bringing healing and restorative justice into communities.

  • District Council members should connect to and collaborate with existing restorative justice efforts.