Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has opened what he termed “a civil investigation concerning possible patterns or practices of unconstitutional or unlawful policing by the Joliet Police Department. The civil investigation follows request made by the Joliet Mayor and members of the Joliet City Council.

“I want to say very clearly that the announcement of such an investigation should not be perceived as a conclusion that such a pattern or practice exists,” Attorney General Raoul emphasized. The Attorney General’s office will examine the Joliet Police Department’s policies, training, practices and supervision as they relate to traffic and pedestrian stops, searches, arrest, and uses of force.

In addition, Attorneys from Raoul’s Civil Rights and Special Litigation bureaus will conduct a thorough review of the department’s policies, reports, documents and trainings. The team will meet with Joliet law enforcement officers, city government officials, Joliet residents, advocates, and other stakeholders.

Raoul and staff also met with family members of the Eric D. Lurry family, who called for an independent investigation of his death.

“Our office has the authority to look into patterns and practices but less of an authority to look into the individual incident. That authority resides with the local State’s Attorney or other authority,” Raoul explained.

The investigation into possible patterns or practices of unlawful policing by the Joliet Police Department is being conducted using the office’s authority under the Illinois Attorney General Act, the Illinois Human Rights Act, and the Illinois Civil and Equal Rights Enforcement Act.

The investigation is the first of its kind since the 2021 Illinois safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act went into effect July 1, 2021. The SAFE-T Act gives the Attorney General’s office authority to investigate and take civil action to address patterns or practices of unconstitutional or unlawful policing.

Dave Allison news@thetimesweekly.com