Committee on Police and Fire meeting, May 6, 2026
- When: Wed, May 6, 2026, 12:00 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Police and Fire
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1189492760
- Transcript: full text (14,596 words, automatic captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Police and Fire held a moment of silence for Officer John Bartholomew, approved its March 13, 2026 Rule 45 report, and considered the mayor's appointments of Angelique Guzman and Anjanette Young to the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. During public comment, several district councilors asked the committee to pause the appointments because both required youth seats would be held by North Side residents, while others urged swift confirmation. CCPSA Executive Director Adam Gross explained the nominating process and the ordinance's overlapping geographic, age and professional requirements. After members commented on the nominees, the CCPSA's role and possible changes to the ordinance, the Guzman appointment passed on a roll call of 13 ayes and three nays and the Young appointment passed 14 to two. The committee also passed a resolution sponsored by Alderperson William E. Hall calling for the Third District police station to be renamed for Police Officer Darel C. Brandon.
Topics: CCPSA appointments, youth commissioners, police oversight, CCPSA ordinance requirements, police district renaming, officer line-of-duty deaths, Rule 45 report
Agenda items discussed
- 17:05 Motion to allow remote participation under Rule 59: passed
- 19:23 Public comment
- 44:47 Approval of the March 13, 2026 Rule 45 report: passed
- 45:47 Appointment of Angelique Guzman as Commissioner of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (A2026-0024728): passed
- 46:02 Appointment of Anjanette Young as Commissioner of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (A2026-0024727): passed
- 1:53:55 Resolution calling for the Third Police District station to be renamed the Police Officer Darel C. Brandon Third District Station: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Chris Taliaferro (chair): Thanked both nominees and said Ms. Young has focused on changing policies rather than criticizing the police department after the wrongful raid on her home. (1:01:35); Said young people need a seat at the table and welcomed Ms. Guzman representing youth. (1:03:13); Asked the CCPSA director to confirm that commissioners represent the entire city rather than only the area they come from. (1:03:47)
- Lamont J. Robinson (alderperson): Said what happened to Ms. Young was unacceptable and reviewed her credentials as a licensed clinical social worker with 30 years of experience. (1:05:25); Said Ms. Young's appointment is based on merit and cautioned speakers to be careful about comments suggesting otherwise. (1:06:54)
- Ronnie L. Mosley (alderperson): Said the ordinance is working as designed by giving youth a voice, and commended both nominees. (1:09:05); Said public safety is rooted in public health and Ms. Young's mental health expertise is valuable, and announced support for both candidates. (1:10:35); Asked whether the CCPSA was part of the process that recommended Superintendent Snelling. (1:34:53)
- Derrick G. Curtis (alderperson): Said he had been a strong no on the appointments but was persuaded by Ms. Young's background and testimony. (1:13:35); Asked the director to explain the youth commission and whether Ms. Guzman might fit there. (1:15:47); Said he would prefer commissioners be elected rather than appointed but would support both appointments, and called for examining why the warrant for Ms. Young's home was issued. (1:17:06)
- Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): Said she looks for fairness in commissioners and that the ordinance likely needs revisions to ensure equal representation across the city. (1:19:17); Said she had reservations about 18-year-olds holding voting seats but would address that separately, and that the nominees came through a rigorous process. (1:21:22); Said the selection restrictions should be revisited so qualified applicants are not excluded, while noting the city needs a full commission. (1:22:58)
- William E. Hall (alderperson): Thanked both nominees for answering the call to public service and said they are well qualified. (1:24:20); Said Officer Darel Brandon was the first Black woman officer killed in the line of duty and that renaming the Third District station would honor her legacy. (1:54:32)
- Silvana Tabares (alderperson): Cited statistics on officers shot or shot at since 2014 and listed officers killed in the line of duty. (1:25:35); Said Ms. Young was quoted calling police returning fire excessive and that this did not reflect an objective perspective. (1:27:43)
- Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Said his opposition was not against the nominees personally. (1:30:12); Said he opposed creating the CCPSA in 2021 and called it a waste of $4.3 million. (1:30:39); Said the city should focus on community accountability for shootings and other crimes and that police already face many forms of oversight; said he would vote no. (1:31:07)
- Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Said discussions of policing should also address police officers who have killed innocent people. (1:35:53); Said the CCPSA should advise on policy like a local school council and that people misunderstand its role. (1:36:19); Cited the city's spending on police misconduct settlements and said the raid on Ms. Young involved officers looking for someone on electronic monitoring. (1:37:05)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Commended Ms. Young for her patience and commitment to improving the city after what she experienced. (1:39:48); Said Ms. Guzman stood out as an intern in his office and that youth perspectives are needed on issues affecting young people. (1:40:53); Said the ordinance's requirements created hurdles for the nominating committee and are fair to revisit, suggesting a single district council structure. (1:42:07)
- Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Said he wants to abolish the CCPSA and would rather fund ShotSpotter, listing existing police oversight bodies. (1:47:15); Said both nominees scored well in the redacted process and that he would base his vote on his district councilors' views. (1:48:13)
Exchanges between members
- 1:04:55 The chair joked with Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. about Ms. Guzman's internship in the 40th Ward.
- 1:08:41 The chair thanked Vice Chair Lamont J. Robinson.
- 1:10:10 Alderperson Ronnie L. Mosley referred to Vice Chair Lamont J. Robinson review of Ms. Young's resume.
- 1:12:45 The chair thanked Alderperson Ronnie L. Mosley.
- 1:24:06 The chair thanked Alderperson Nicole T. Lee.
- 1:25:23 The chair thanked Alderperson William E. Hall.
- 1:29:53 Alderperson Anthony V. Napolitano said he could not agree more with Alderperson Silvana Tabares remarks.
- 1:33:27 Alderperson Anthony V. Napolitano said his criticism of the CCPSA was not a slight on Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. work creating it.
- 1:37:13 Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor addressed Alderperson Silvana Tabares about her proposal on electronic monitoring and linked it to the raid on Ms. Young's home.
- 1:39:27 The chair thanked Alderperson Jeanette B. Taylor.
- 1:43:27 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. said criticizing the CCPSA's $4.3 million cost was insincere given the city's misconduct settlement spending.
- 1:46:59 The chair thanked Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr..
- 1:49:31 Alderperson Nicholas Sposato remarked that his comments were shorter than those of the colleague before him.
- 1:49:39 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. remarked on Alderperson Nicholas Sposato call to abolish the CCPSA.
- 1:56:11 The chair thanked Alderperson William E. Hall for bringing the renaming resolution.