Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry speaks at a news conference flanked by Mayor Brandon Johnson on Oct. 9, 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Finance next week will consider approval of a “landmark” $90 million global legal settlement to close 176 federal police misconduct lawsuits against the city as a result of the conduct of disgraced former Chicago Police Sgt. Ronald Watts and other Chicago Police officers that were part of Watts’ tactical team. 

Mayor Brandon Johnson and Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry announced the proposed settlement, the first of its kind, Thursday morning.  

If approved by the full City Council, the corporation counsel said it would reduce the city’s long-term legal liability by hundreds of millions of dollars.