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Live reporting by William Garcia
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Police Board appointees Steven Block and Mareilé Bayard Cusack

Bill Garcia

09:05 AM Dec 10, 2021 CST

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Today’s 10am meeting will be live-streamed here: https://livestream.com/accounts/28669066

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The meeting is called to order at 10:06am. Roll is called, establishing a quorum (14 members present).

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No one is signed up for public comment.

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Rule 45 report is passed.

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Items 1 & 2 of the agenda will be heard together but will be voted on separately.

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Steven Block addresses the committee regarding his proposed appointment to the Police Board. https://t.co/fpstRvmuri

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Block: It is a critical time for police accountability in our city.

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Police Board candidate Mareile Cusack says she is originally from Haiti and moved to the US as a teenager (moved to Chicago in 1985). https://t.co/YqgyamauI8

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Cusack says the relationship between Chicago residence and the police force is strained, but the Police Board is positioned to restore the public trust.

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Ald Lopez asks for current Police Board gender/racial breakdown. That information should be provided shortly.

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Ald Mitts asks appointees what would be the one thing they would like to recommend or implement.
- Block: Improved accessibility transparency into the decisions of the Board
- Cusack says it’s important to be unbiased, focused, and to make good, well-reasoned decisions.

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Ald Reboyras tells Board candidates the Committee asks that Police Board members are unbiased and for fair, transparent processes.

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Current Police Board breakdown:
7 members (2 vacancies being filled)
3 Black / 2 Latino / 2 White
4 Male / 3 Female

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The committee approves Block and Cusack as members of the Police Board.

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The meeting adjourns at 10:23am.

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This concludes my coverage for @CHIdocumenters. #CHIDocumenters

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