(The Center Square) – Chicago government officials have agreed to pay out nearly double the amount they budgeted for lawsuit settlements this year.
The city’s taxpayers are now expected to foot the bill for more than $77 million in additional lawsuit settlements, pushing the city’s 2025 total to about $160 million.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration budgeted $82 million for settlements this year.
On Wednesday, the city council approved more than $62 million in payouts for police-related incidents and $15.5 million to settle a dispute with a parking-meter company.
Alderman Nicholas Sposato said the city can’t keep paying for unfair settlements.
“It has to stop. It’s a two-way street. It can’t be a one-way street. Only we can lose, but you can win. That ain’t right,” Sposato said.
Alderman Raymond Lopez objected to a $5 million deal for a woman who had her legs amputated due to frostbite after she was locked out of her apartment in 2021. The woman claimed that police ignored her request for help, but officers said the woman refused assistance.
“We have to learn that some situations, while tragic, are not our fault. They are not the responsibility of taxpayers,” Lopez said.
Chicago Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry responded to the criticism from aldermen at a news conference with Mayor Brandon Johnson Wednesday afternoon.
“The vast majority of our matters do get tried, but there are categories of cases that are in the interests of the city to settle,” Richardson-Lowry said.
Richardson-Lowry warned that more payouts are coming.
“I want all the alder corps and the general public to get ready, because we’re going to have more settlements. It’s the responsible thing to do. We will have more trials, when it’s appropriate, that will be the responsible thing to do,” Richardson-Lowry said.
The city is now more than $77 million over budget for settlement payouts approved this year. Richardson-Lowry told reporters last month that it is difficult to make budget projections for settlements, but she suggested that budgetary adjustments could be made throughout the year.
According to the city’s website, Richardson-Lowry is paid $215,040 a year by Chicago taxpayers.
