The meeting is scheduled for 6:30-7:30pm at Eden United Church of Christ (5051 W Gunnison St).
A copy of the provided agenda is pictured here:

(1/2) From the Municipal Code of Chicago via @CHIdocumenters: "Each of the 22 District Councils is made up of three people elected by residents of the police district in regular municipal elections every four years, though anyone can participate in District Council work... "

@CHIdocumenters (2/2) " ...the more people who participate, the more effective the District Councils can be. The first District Council elections occurred in February 2023. Just as Chicagoans vote for a mayor and a local ward Alderperson, they also vote for up to three people to serve... "

@CHIdocumenters The meeting is called to order at 6:35pm. Sen. @robertmartwick is in the building, as well as 3 Council members and 17 members of the public.

A citizen named Pete speaks during the time allowed for public comment. They said that the October, November and December meetings of the 16th District failed to uphold the responsibilities listed on its own website.

An audience member asks if the Council will respond to the public comment and is told, "We're good."
Another audience member says there should be an acknowledgement that there has been good information passed on in previous meetings.

The minutes from the last meeting on 12/12/23 are approved.

Council member Colleen announces that applications are now open for the upcoming Community Commission for Public Safety election on February 7.

Interviews will be conducted from February 8 through March 8 to nominate 14 people. The Mayor should then select 7 people and the City Council must approve.
More info here:

A member of the Council makes a comment about police:
"Their every day is your worst day… We expect them to be a superhero. But the fact is they’re human… I think it’s hard to not be numbed… We should all be concerned about the mental health of our first responders."

Sen. @robertmartwick begins speaking, saying he plans to give a 2023 legislative update as it relates to policing.

@robertmartwick Martwick says we all know red light & speed cameras came with their fair share of corruption, and that House Bill 3903 is an effort to fight that. He takes a poll asking who likes these & only Pete raises their hand.
This summary of the legislation was proved by the Senator.

@robertmartwick Another audience member asks what happens to the revenue from these cameras. Martwick says that happens on a local level, and the Council agrees to find out how Chicago spends these funds.

@robertmartwick The next topic is vehicle theft. An audience member says this is a serious issue that should carry automatic jail time.

@robertmartwick Martwick says the state has been investing money in license plate readers & automatic cameras to track these people. “Last year the arrest rate [for car jackers] in the city of Chicago was 3%,” he said.
The Senator says we have to give the police more tools to make arrests.

@robertmartwick The next topic is House Bill 2412. Sen. Marwick says the historic response to crime has been “reactionary.”
He says the idea is to use state police to gather and distribute information to local police agencies to prevent crime instead.

@robertmartwick The next topic is the police pension fund.

@robertmartwick Sen. @robertmartwick on the changes to police pensions, re: Senate Bill 1956

@robertmartwick “These are all good and well, but where are you gonna get the resources to actually implement these things?” says an audience member, referencing recent protests against the genocide in Gaza that have blocked major roadways and potential police patrols.

@robertmartwick Martwick responds, reiterating that he believes police need more resources to be able to address crime. He also says we need to address police recruiting and retention.

@robertmartwick The next topic is covid disability benefits. “We have to presume that your covid was work-related, and you’re entitled to your disability,” says Martwick on this bill.

@robertmartwick Martwick says the Veteran’s Amendment is basically to encourage former military members to join the IL State Police.

@robertmartwick Upon the completion of the recap, Pete asks again where the information is on police accountability, which he says this Council is charged with.
Martwick says, "While its not accountability, criminal justice reform includes the [abolition of cash bail]... "

@robertmartwick Martwick says the Pretrial Fairness Act is working as intended, including lowering the populations of jails. Illinois is one of the first states to enact this change.

@robertmartwick Sen @robertmartwick says the legislation is still a work in progress.

@robertmartwick Several members of the public argue that crime is “outrageous,” citing “retail theft” that they liken to “gang and mob activity” downtown on the “former Magnificent Mile.”
People are being "raped, mugged, burglarized, car-jacked and robbed with impunity," says a citizen.

@robertmartwick Martwick says it doesn't matter if we "hang them from their heels from the Picasso," as long as arrest rates remain low.

@robertmartwick Resources on the Pretrial Fairness Act were provided by Sen. Martwick:

@robertmartwick Two Council members lament the limitations they face as a governing body, including not being able to attend other District Council meetings.

@robertmartwick The meeting is abruptly adjourned at 7:40pm.
The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 13 at Merrimac Park.