Case: DOJ 14141 investigation of Highland Park Police (Illinois)

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Case Summary

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 lit…

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)

Related Cases

Ledford v. City of Highland Park, Illinois, Northern District of Illinois (2000)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Murphy, Donna M. (District of Columbia)

Rocah, David R. (District of Columbia)

Rosenbaum, Steven H. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Elrod, Steven M. (Illinois)

Pugh, Preston (Illinois)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Memorandum of Agreement

DOJ Investigation of City of Highland Park, Illinois Police Department

April 1, 2001

April 1, 2001

Settlement Agreement

Resources

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:46 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Illinois

Case Type(s):

Policing

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):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Order Duration: 2000 - 2003

Issues

General:

Racial profiling

Discrimination-basis:

Race discrimination