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Chicago Police Board affirms two disciplinary decisions and outlines appellate ruling on arbitration access
Summary
The Chicago Police Board on Aug. 21 approved findings in two disciplinary matters, reversed an applicant disqualification, and reported on an Aug. 8 appellate decision requiring public access to arbitration in serious discharge cases while striking down unpaid suspensions; written orders will be posted on the board website.
The Chicago Police Board on Aug. 21 took final action on multiple personnel matters and summarized a recent appellate-court ruling affecting how serious police-misconduct arbitration is handled.
Board President Kyle Cooper called for a vote in case 24PB3038 on whether Officer Thomas McNichols was guilty of failing to reside in the City of Chicago. "Is there a motion to find police officer Thomas McNichols not guilty of failing to reside in the city of Chicago?" Cooper asked; the motion was moved, seconded and called to a roll vote. Board members Claudia Badillo, Tyler Hall, Catherine Lis, Arlette Porter, Andrea Sefakis, Cynthia Velasquez and Cooper voted in favor and the motion passed. The board then moved to adopt the draft written findings and decision; that motion also passed. Cooper said the written findings and decision "will be entered as of today's date, sent to the parties, and then promptly posted on the police board's website."
The board also addressed case 22PB3009, involving Officer Armando Ugarte and a request to change his reinstatement date. A motion to deny Ugarte's second motion was moved and seconded; the board again voted unanimously to deny the motion and a written order will be entered and posted.
President Cooper used the meeting to summarize an Aug. 8 Illinois appellate court decision that "arbitration proceedings for the most serious cases of police misconduct must be open to the public." He also said the court ruled in favor of the Fraternal Order of Police by striking down the longstanding CPD practice of suspending officers without pay once charges are brought. Cooper noted parties have 35 days from Aug. 8 (until Sept. 12) to file a petition for leave to the Illinois Supreme Court; if such a petition is filed, it "likely will not be ruled upon for several months," and the board may face a backlog of roughly 20 discharge cases that have been on hold.
In the appeals portion of the agenda the board reversed a disqualification in appeal 25AA07. A motion to reverse the disqualification was moved and seconded, Vice President Bedell and board members voted "Aye," and Cooper said the motion passes; the written decisions will be entered and posted.
Votes at a glance: - Approve draft minutes (July 17): passed by voice/hand vote. - Close a series of future executive sessions under the Illinois Open Meetings Act (sections cited by the chair): passed. - Case 24PB3038 (Thomas McNichols) — find not guilty of failing to reside in Chicago; motion passed; written findings adopted. - Case 22PB3009 (Armando Ugarte) — deny second motion to change reinstatement date; motion passed. - Appeal 25AA07 — reverse disqualification; motion passed. - Superintendent request to solicit funds for May 2026 recognition luncheon — approved. - Permit remote appearance for board member Block — approved.
The board indicated it will enter written orders for the decided matters, send those orders to the parties and post them on the police board's website. Cooper said he encourages officers who prefer a public board hearing to have their cases heard by the board rather than await arbitration processes that remain unsettled by ongoing litigation.
