Committee on Public Safety

Politics

Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022
1:00 p.m. CST

Remote

This is a remote assignment. To access, go to https://livestream.com/accounts/28669066.

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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team

Note-taking by Daniel Wolk

Andrea Kersten COPA chief administrator appointment recommended for approval despite Ella French dust-up

View notes

Live reporting by Ahmad Sayles

Andrea Kersten COPA chief administrator appointment recommended for approval despite Ella French dust-up

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles

Good Afternoon! I’ll be live-tweeting today’s Chicago City Council’s Committee on Public Safety meeting for @CHIdocumenters #CHIdocumenters. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. Due to COVID-19, the meeting will be held remotely.

12:50 PM Feb 9, 2022 CST

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 2/21

Agenda here: chicago.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&… https://t.co/k6Hsgm1jU8

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 3/21

View the meeting along with me here: livestream.com/accounts/28669…

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 4/21

Latest on Andrea Kersten’s nomination as permanent head of Civilian Office of Police Accountability here by @fspielman: chicago.suntimes.com/platform/amp/c…

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 5/21

Chairman Taliaferro calls the meeting to order. He starts with a roll call vote to establish a quorum. 16 members present, a quorum has been reached.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 6/21

The public comment segment begins. The first speaker Ms. Terry speaks in favor of Andrea Kersten’s nomination to head COPA.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 7/21

The next speaker Joe D. a former cop speaks about slain officer Ella French’s character and voices his objection to Kersten’s nomination.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 8/21

The next speaker is Kevin Graham. He's a police officer speaking against the confirmation of Andrea Kersten. He says COPA lacked decency when it recommended suspension for Ella French.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 9/21

The next public speaker is a Reverend who speaks in favor of Andrea Kersten’s nomination to lead COPA. He says that voting for Kersten is a vote for police accountability.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 10/21

The next public speaker is Carlos Yanez Sr. He's the father of CPD officer Carlos Yanez Jr. He says that COPA’s recommendation for suspension was a slap in the face to Ella French’s family.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 11/21

No more public speakers. Approval of Rule 45 Report passes with no questions.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 12/21

Andrea Kersten begins her remarks by saying she supports police but believes in police reform as well. https://t.co/cWvx8GUlZP

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 13/21

Andrea Kersten apologizes again for the COPA report that included the recommended suspension of slain officer Ella French.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 14/21

Chairman Taliaferro tries to allow debate on the nomination. Ald. Lopez wants to end the debate and vote right away.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 15/21

Ald. Tabares (23) demands another apology from Andrea Kersten for the Gold Star families of Chicago. Kersten apologizes again and says that she followed the law.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 16/21

Ald. Tabares (23) says she will be voting no on the nomination.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 17/21

Ald. Osterman (48) speaks in support of Andrea Kersten to head COPA.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 18/21

No more hands up to speak. Roll call vote on the appointment begins.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 19/21

The appointment of Andrea Kersten to head COPA passes the committee with a 9-6 vote.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 20/21

With no further business, the meeting is adjourned. The next Committee on Public Safety meeting will occur on 2/17 at 2:00 p.m.

Ahmad Sayles @ahmad_sayles 21/21

Chicago City Council’s Committee on Public Safety meeting ends at 1:56 p.m. This ends my coverage for @CHIdocumenters find more information through Daniel Wolk’s notes at documenters.org

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Attachments

Video recording

By India Daniels 2/9/2022

Agency Information

Chicago City Council

chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov

(312) 744-3166

@ChiCouncil

See Documenters reporting

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