The Illinois Attorney General's findings on the Joliet Police Department, explained

What the investigation was

On September 8, 2021, the Office of the Illinois Attorney General formally opened a civil "pattern or practice" investigation into the Joliet Police Department (JPD). It looked at the department as a whole, not at a single incident or a single officer. The report was released on December 12, 2024.

The Attorney General''s office states that JPD and the City of Joliet cooperated throughout, providing access to files, data and staff. The report also recognizes that many officers serve the community with professionalism, dedication and courage.

Why it started

The report names the January 2020 death in custody of Eric Lurry as a catalyst. In June 2020, after video of the incident became public, Joliet''s then-mayor and several City Council members asked the Attorney General to investigate. The office explains it cannot investigate individual incidents, but it can investigate systemic issues that affect whether a department delivers constitutional and lawful policing.

What the report found

The Attorney General''s office states it has reasonable cause to believe that JPD engages in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of their rights under the U.S. Constitution, federal law and state law. Specifically, the report finds:

Unreasonable force. Use of tasers, head strikes and other force in violation of the Fourth Amendment, including failures to de-escalate, force used in retaliation, force against teenagers, and officers not intervening to stop excessive force.

Crisis response. An inadequate crisis intervention system that contributes to unreasonable force against people with behavioral health disabilities.

Race discrimination. Policing practices that discriminate against Black people, and concerns about discrimination against Latino people, under the Illinois Human Rights Act and the Illinois Civil Rights Act. The report''s data analysis found disparities across enforcement actions, larger when the action was discretionary.

Sexual assault and domestic violence. A response to sexual assault the report describes as discriminatory against women, and serious concerns about the response to domestic violence.

Accountability and systems. Failures in accountability, along with gaps in policy, training, supervision, data collection and record-keeping, that the report says allowed these problems to continue.

What "reasonable cause" means

These are findings from a civil investigation, not a criminal case. They are not a verdict against any individual officer. "Reasonable cause to believe" is the standard the office uses to describe what its evidence shows about the department''s practices as a whole. The report also includes recommendations for changes.

How to engage as a resident

Read it yourself. The full report is free online in English and Spanish, with a shorter summary on the Attorney General''s website.

Follow City Council. Decisions about police policy, budget and oversight happen in public meetings. Check the meeting calendar on the Joliet Votes homepage and see our public comment guide to speak during a meeting.

Report misconduct. Concerns about police misconduct can be sent to the Illinois Attorney General. You can also share a concern with Joliet Votes.

Stick to the record. When sharing, link to the original report so neighbors can read the findings in full.

This guide summarizes a public government report for community education. It is not legal advice. Check the original report for exact wording.