FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2019
CONTACT:
Mayor’s Press Office
312.744.3334
press@cityofchicago.org
STATEMENT FROM MAYOR LORI E. LIGHTFOOT ON EDDIE JOHNSON
“Today, I am announcing that I have terminated Eddie Johnson’s employment with
the City of Chicago, effective immediately. Upon a thorough review of the materials
of the Inspector General’s ongoing investigation, it has become clear that Mr.
Johnson engaged in a series of ethical lapses that are intolerable. Mr. Johnson was
intentionally dishonest with me and communicated a narrative replete with false
statements regarding material aspects of the incident that happened in the early
morning hours of October 17. Had I known all the facts at the time, I would have
relieved him of his duties as superintendent then and there.
“Perhaps worst of all, Mr. Johnson has misled the people of Chicago. The 13,400
sworn and civilian members of the Chicago Police Department who work hard every
day deserve a leader who they can believe in. In public life, we must be accountable
for our actions and strive to do better every day. And to achieve the reform and
accountability in the department that we know is urgently needed, we require a
leader whose actions reflect the integrity and legitimacy of what it means to be a
Chicago Police Officer. I am confident that incoming Interim Superintendent Beck is
such a leader, and that both he and the eventual permanent superintendent will
serve with honor.”
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