Chicago is weighing a $260.8 million settlement covering 16 wrongful-conviction lawsuits linked to former police detective Reynaldo Guevara, in what could become the largest single police misconduct payout in US history.
The proposed agreement concerns 17 people convicted of murder in investigations dating from 1987 onwards. They allege that Guevara and other former Chicago police officers used misconduct to secure their convictions.
Settlement would cover 383 years in prison
All 17 plaintiffs have since had their convictions overturned and the charges against them dismissed. Collectively, they spent more than 383 years behind bars.
The cases were filed in federal court and name Guevara as a leading defendant. Allegations made in the lawsuits include the improper handling of evidence, manipulated identification procedures and coercive police practices.
If approved, the settlement would be paid over two years from 2027. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration has backed the proposal, which city lawyers say could bring a measure of closure while reducing the financial risk of continuing the litigation.
Lawyers for the city estimate that settling the 16 cases now could avoid a further $300 million to $400 million in legal costs.
The proposed deal would not end every lawsuit connected to Guevara. Chicago has already approved other settlements involving former detective’s investigations, including payouts worth millions of dollars earlier this year.
Finance committee to consider proposal
The Chicago City Council’s Finance Committee is due to consider the settlement at a meeting on Monday, October 5. Approval by the committee would send the proposal to the full council.
A final vote could take place on October 14. Until then, the agreement remains subject to the city’s formal approval process.
