Subject: Suck it, California! $10 million P.I. judgement against Chicago becomes $27 million settlement

This crap case has been dragging on since Rahm was mayor, then under
Lightfoot, and now Johnson.

A woman, a mother of six, was driving home with her 21 year old daughter
who had just sung in concert, was struck by a car that was being chased
by Chicago police. She was killed, the daughter was severely injured.
This was June 2017.

The car chase began when police pulled over a vehicle after a shooting
to investigate whether shots came from inside the vehicle. A passenger
exited then the vehicle took off and would strike the victim's vehicle.
Police violated department policy as the chase was led by an unmarked
squad car where policy required a marked squad car with exterior lights,

I have no idea why neither Rahm nor Lightfoot tried to settle this. Of
course the taxpayers were exposed, given that the victims were
sympathetic.

The case went to trial. As usual in major civil trials, they are
conducted by outside counsel. Given that the city always loses under
these circumstances (and in plenty of circumstances in which the victim
isn't sympathetic or contributed to negligence or was reckless or
criminal), the city's law department has the ability to lose in court
without the expense of outside counsel.

The jury verdict came in, 5/17/2023, two days after Johnson was sworn
in. $10 million award

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/5/17/23727290/jury-awards-10-million-woman-killed-chicago-police-chase-crash-englewood-2017-stacy-vaughn-harrell

Rather than recommending to city council that the verdict be accepted,
Johnson decided to appeal because the trial was unfair to the defense
due to an improper closing argument. The city won and a new trial was ordered.

New video has been discovered with police not trying to aid the victims.
The judge was going to allow the evidence.

The corporation counsel stated that taxpayers are now exposed to a
possible $100 million verdict and recommended a settlement of $27
million. The committee recommended the settlement and the full city
counsel is likely to approve.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2026/03/13/finance-committee-27-million-settlement-deadly-police-chase-englewood

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Subject: Re: Suck it, California! $10 million P.I. judgement against Chicago becomes $27 million settlement

On Mar 15, 2026 at 12:10:32 PM PDT, ""Adam H. Kerman"" <ahk@chinet.com>
wrote:

This crap case has been dragging on since Rahm was mayor, then under Lightfoot, and now Johnson.

A woman, a mother of six, was driving home with her 21 year old daughter
who had just sung in concert, was struck by a car that was being chased
by Chicago police. She was killed, the daughter was severely injured.
This was June 2017.

The car chase began when police pulled over a vehicle after a shooting
to investigate whether shots came from inside the vehicle. A passenger
exited then the vehicle took off and would strike the victim's vehicle. Police violated department policy as the chase was led by an unmarked
squad car where policy required a marked squad car with exterior lights,

I have no idea why neither Rahm nor Lightfoot tried to settle this. Of
course the taxpayers were exposed, given that the victims were
sympathetic.

The case went to trial. As usual in major civil trials, they are
conducted by outside counsel. Given that the city always loses under
these circumstances (and in plenty of circumstances in which the victim
isn't sympathetic or contributed to negligence or was reckless or
criminal), the city's law department has the ability to lose in court
without the expense of outside counsel.

The jury verdict came in, 5/17/2023, two days after Johnson was sworn
in. $10 million award

https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/5/17/23727290/jury-awards-10-million-woman-killed-chicago-police-chase-crash-englewood-2017-stacy-vaughn-harrell

Rather than recommending to city council that the verdict be accepted, Johnson decided to appeal because the trial was unfair to the defense
due to an improper closing argument. The city won and a new trial was ordered.

New video has been discovered with police not trying to aid the victims.
The judge was going to allow the evidence.

The corporation counsel stated that taxpayers are now exposed to a
possible $100 million verdict and recommended a settlement of $27
million. The committee recommended the settlement and the full city
counsel is likely to approve.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2026/03/13/finance-committee-27-million-settlement-deadly-police-chase-englewood

A solid entry in the race to the bottom. Congratulations!



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* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)