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In 2000, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigated complaints, pursuant its authority under 42 U.S.C. § 14141 alleging that command staff and officers of the Highland Park, Illinois Police Department (HPPD) were engaging in racial profiling and discriminatory law enforcement practices. That investigation coincided with a class action suit initiated in federal court by the ACLU, captioned Ledford v. City of Highland Park, No. 00 C 4212 (N.D. Ill.).
After the resolution of the Ledford litigation, the DOJ and HPPD entered into a Memorandum of Agreement which incorporated the terms of the Ledford consent decree, by reference. It stated: "This Memorandum of Agreement is enforceable through an action for specific performance in federal court."
The term of the Agreement was five years, or three years if the department was in compliance. Like the substantive terms, this provision was similar to the agreement in the Ledford case, and the Agreement expressly provided, "If the plaintiffs in Ledford, et al. v. City of Highland Park, No. 00 C 4212 (N.D. Ill. October 5, 2000), agree to terminate their Consent Decree after three years, the United States' agreement to terminate this Memorandum of Agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld."
Summary Authors
Dan Dalton (1/10/2007)
Ledford v. City of Highland Park, Illinois, Northern District of Illinois (2000)
Murphy, Donna M. (District of Columbia)
Rocah, David R. (District of Columbia)
Rosenbaum, Steven H. (District of Columbia)
Elrod, Steven M. (Illinois)
Pugh, Preston (Illinois)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:46 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Illinois
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Closing Date: 2003
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States Department of Justice
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: Unknown
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
City of Highland Park, Illinois Police Department (City of Highland Park, Illinois ), City
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Order Duration: 2000 - 2003
Issues
General:
Discrimination-basis: