Chicago Police Board votes 9-0 to discharge officer; disposes recordings, rules on applicant appeals

The Chicago Police Board voted unanimously Dec. 18 to discharge Officer Elmer Carrillo Jr. for testing positive for and using cannabis, a decision the board said was supported by the officer’s 2023 cannabis use together with a prior lengthy suspension for a 2021 driving-under-the-influence matter.

Board President Kyle Cooper announced the charges in case number 25PB3045 and called the roll for the final action; Cooper and eight board members recorded "aye," and "The motion passes by a vote of 9 to 0," he said. The board also voted to enter and post written findings and decision as of the meeting date.

Separately, the board approved routine procedural items. Members moved and approved drafts of the Nov. 20 public and enclosed meeting minutes and voted to dispose of closed-meeting recordings dated Dec. 21, 2023, through May 16, 2024, following the Illinois Open Meetings Act review process.

On candidate appeals, Cooper presented final actions on appeals from disqualified applicants: the board affirmed disqualification decisions for appeal numbers 25AA15, 25AA20 and 25AA22, reversed the disqualification for appeal 25AA21, and dismissed appeal 25AA33 as filed after the municipal code’s 60-day deadline. Cooper said written decisions for those appeals will be entered as of the meeting date and posted to the board’s website.

The board also approved a motion allowing board member Steven Block to attend the meeting remotely and voted to close a series of future executive sessions as authorized by sections of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The December meeting was adjourned by voice vote. "Happy holidays, everyone," Cooper said at adjournment.

What the board said and next steps

Cooper explained that while Illinois allows medical and recreational cannabis use, Chicago Police Department policy continues to prohibit cannabis use by officers. He read the board’s conclusion that Carrillo’s 2023 use, when considered with his earlier suspension for a 2021 DUI, showed a level of judgment the board found sufficient to remove him from the department. The board posted that written decision to its site and said the parties will receive the findings.

Voting at a glance

- Remote attendance: motion approved (allow Steven Block remote attendance). - Approval of minutes (Nov. 20 drafts): approved. - Disposal of closed-recording files (12/21/2023–05/16/2024): approved. - Disciplinary case 25PB3045 (Elmer Carrillo Jr.): discharge approved, vote 9–0. - Adoption of written findings for 25PB3045: approved and to be posted. - Applicant appeals: affirm 25AA15, 25AA20, 25AA22; reverse 25AA21; dismiss 25AA33 (late filing). - Motion to close a series of future executive sessions: approved. - Adjournment: approved.

The board said written findings and decisions for the disciplinary case and the applicant appeals will be entered as of Dec. 18 and posted on the Chicago Police Board’s website.