Quigley Statement on Tenth Anniversary of Laquan McDonald Shooting

U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Laquan McDonald police shooting:

“Ten years ago today, 17-year-old Laquan McDonald was shot and killed by a Chicago police officer. Laquan’s death shocked our city and led to Chicagoans demanding change from law enforcement and accountability from Chicago’s leaders. Today, I join all those still mourning Laquan’s death and still demanding change.

“Laquan’s murder is part of a long history of Black men being senselessly killed by police officers. His name is now uttered along with Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Adam Toledo, Eric Garner, George Floyd, and too many more.

“Going for a jog, a walk, a drive, or simply existing in your own home should never be a death sentence. The only remedy is to enact transformative changes to government and law enforcement systems that have failed Black communities for too long.

“To that end, after ten years, it is simply unacceptable that the Chicago Police Department has achieved only seven percent compliance with the Justice Department’s consent decree. The residents of Chicago have demanded - and deserve - better. I firmly believe that most police officers seek to do right by their communities but too many bad apples continue to color communities’ relationships with law enforcement. When bad officers erode public trust, they harm the reputation of their fellow good officers.

“Unconscious bias and systemic racism must be rooted out. Bad officers must be held accountable for their actions. We owe it to Laquan to build a future that reflects our founding belief in equal justice under the law.”