Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26) is pictured during a City Council meeting in October 2023. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

After being delayed last month, the City Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance (O2025-0020004) enabling the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) to formally investigate alleged violations of Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance by police.  

“This is a common-sense measure that will maintain the trust that we have built between law enforcement and the community, especially our immigrant communities,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said of the ordinance at a news conference after the meeting.  

While the item passed via voice vote, it occurred after some discussion among alderpeople and after a failed attempt to send it back to committee.