Cook County, Illinois, State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez is calling for the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the Chicago Police Department. Alvarez, one of the worst prosecutors in recent memory, joins presidential hopeful Hilary Clinton, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, Sen. Dick Durbin, and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who flip-flopped on Thursday and said he now “welcomed” the opportunity for a federal investigation—after saying that he didn’t welcome a federal investigation.
Clinton made the call on Wednesday to support a federal investigation, saying she was “deeply troubled” by Laquan McDonald’s death at the hands of Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke. The fallout was spurred by the release of video showing Van Dyke executing 17-year-old McDonald, firing 16 shots into him as McDonald lay on the ground. Part of that fallout also includes allegations that the Chicago body charged with investigating police shootings and other issues of misconduct has covered up police crimes in the past.
Clinton’s remarks followed Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s call to investigate the department’s policies regarding use of force. A copy of Madigan’s letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch can be found here.
All of this is occurring as we mark the 46th anniversary of the slaying of Illinois Black Panther Party Chairman Fred Hampton and Peoria, Illinois, Captain Mark Clark. Hampton and Clark were murdered by the Chicago Police Department with the assistance of the Illinois State’s Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on December 4, 1969.
