Chicago Finance Committee approves $27M settlement for family of woman killed in crash involving CPD

March 14, 2026 - 13:40

The City of Chicago's Finance Committee has given its approval to a substantial $27 million settlement for the family of a woman killed in a 2017 traffic collision involving a Chicago Police Department vehicle. The decision, made on Friday, moves the settlement one step closer to finalization, pending a full City Council vote.

The tragic incident occurred over six years ago when a CPD SUV, responding to a call, collided with the woman's vehicle. The impact resulted in her death, leaving her family to pursue a lengthy legal battle against the city. The lawsuit alleged wrongful death and argued that the police officer was driving at a high rate of speed without properly activating the squad car's emergency lights and siren.

This proposed settlement ranks among the largest in the city's history related to police vehicle incidents. If approved by the full council, the $27 million payout will resolve the family's federal lawsuit and bring a somber close to their years of seeking accountability. The committee's action represents a significant acknowledgment of the loss suffered by the family and aims to provide them with a measure of financial resolution for their profound and enduring grief.