The Chicago City Council committee on public safety voted 13-1 today
for an ordinance pushed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to change possession of
less than 15 grams of marijuana from a criminal offense to a civil
violation punishable by fine.
The committee hearing raised
questions about how fines would be implemented, particularly if they
might disproportionately hurt black residents in low-income
neighborhoods who make up about 75 percent of the of Chicago Police Department's pot arrests.
“This
will raise dollars on the backs of poor people,” said Ald. Pat Dowell
(3rd) at the hearing. Dowell and other black caucus aldermen, such as
Ald. Willie Cochran (20th), raised these concerns, but did not vote
against the legislation. Read more »
Earlier today, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance pushed by Mayor Rahm
Emanuel to let the Chicago Police Department issue $250 to $500 tickets to people caught with 15 grams or less of pot, instead of arresting them. The ordinance passed by a 44-3 vote.
Most aldermen who spoke on the council floor gave the same talking
points: Black residents are a disproportionate target of marijuana arrests, the
Cook County court dismisses most pot arrests, and ticketing will save
police resources.
An ordinance pushed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to make possession
of 15 grams or less of marijuana punishable by ticketed fines will
likely sail through city council tomorrow amid some concerns that the
$250 to $500 tickets are too steep a levy against the low-income, black
residents who are often targets of marijuana arrests.