Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35), lead sponsor of the CCPSA referendum measure, is pictured at a council meeting in April 2024. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

Though the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA), Chicago’s civilian police oversight board, received its first batch of mayor-appointed commissioners in May, some Chicago alderpeople are already pushing to alter the structure of the board and expand its powers through a proposed ballot question. 

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35) introduced an ordinance (O2024-0009670) in May that would place a referendum on the ballot to increase the headcount of the board and choose the majority of its commissioners via election. The referendum would also ask voters to approve delegating some new powers to the CCPSA. Numerous progressive alderpeople are signed on as co-sponsors.