The agencies were created and reformed over several years as a result of ongoing efforts for civilian oversight of law enforcement and in response to numerous controversies in the police department.
[1][2][3] In 2015, controversy following the murder of Laquan McDonald led Mayor Rahm Emanuel to create the Police Accountability Task Force.
In April 2016, the Task Force recommended sweeping changes including the replacement of IPRA with an agency with more authority and resources.
[5][6] This was in part motivated by the murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke.
[16] Lightfoot introduced an alternative measure, which would have retained mayoral control over superintendent appointments and departmental policy.
The district councils also nominate 14 candidates for the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA), of which seven will be selected by the Mayor.
The CCPSA holds monthly public meetings and is charged with promoting community engagement and transparency in policing, and has various oversight powers including:[24][21] In August 2022, Mayor Lori Lightfoot selected seven interim members for the CCPSA based on 14 candidates nominated by the City Council, who served until May 2024.
The Board is also charged with resolving disciplinary cases when there is a dispute between the Chief Administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability and the Superintendent.