District Council Nominating Committee Receives Overwhelming Response with 120 Applications for the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability
Date:
February 7, 2023
CHICAGO- On Tuesday, February 7, the District Council Nominating Committee completed a
30-day application period to serve on the Community Commission for Public Safety and
Accountability (CCPSA).
“As we close this application period with 120 submissions, we celebrate this historic victory. A
milestone that resonates far beyond mere numbers. The overwhelming response to our request
for applications speaks volumes about the passion and commitment our residents have for
effective civilian oversight of the police,” said Elianne Bahena, 10th District Councilor.
For the first time, locally elected District Councilors from across the city will vet and nominate
candidates for the Commission. Per ordinance, at least two Commissioners shall have at least
ten years of experience as a practicing attorney with significant experience in civil rights, civil
liberties, criminal defense or prosecution. At least one Commissioner shall have at least ten
years of experience in community organizing that involves a formal affiliation with one or more
community-based organizations. Two seats are dedicated to the voices of our youth, ages
18-24. The final Commission will have a geographic balance across the South, West, and North
Sides.
“To maximize outreach efforts, the Nominating Committee conducted three webinars and held
informational sessions with youth, legal organizations, community activists, non-profits,
economic development institutions, and affinity groups. These sessions were instrumental in
getting the word out about the application process and ensuring that we have the most diverse
candidate pool to select from,” said District Councilor Bahena.
In the next phase of this process, the 22-member Nominating Committee, representing each of
Chicago’s 22 District Councils, will review applications, conduct interviews, and carefully select
at least fourteen nominees to submit to the mayor.
To enhance the transparency and fairness of the selection process, the Nominating Committee
has developed a community-informed rubric to assess candidates. Drawing on insights from a
spectrum of community voices, this rubric will guide the evaluation process, emphasizing
qualifications and commitment to police oversight and accountability principles. Additionally,
the Committee is committed to minimizing biases by anonymizing applications during the
review and combining a quantitative and qualitative approach to the assessments, focusing
solely on the merits of each candidate.
By April 7, 2024, Mayor Brandon Johnson will select seven nominees from a list provided by the
Nominating Committee. If the Mayor declines to select seven nominees, he must provide a
written explanation that will be made publicly available on the CCPSA website. Should additional
names be requested, the Nominating Committee has until May 7, 2024 to submit new nominees
for any remaining vacancies.