Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on September 8, 2021 that he opened a civil investigation into the Joliet Police Department (JPD). The civil investigation follows requests made by the Joliet mayor and members of the Joliet City Council. The investigation will assess whether JPD engages in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional or unlawful policing.

The Attorney General’s Office has jurisdiction to focus on broad, systemic problems with law enforcement agencies (called “patterns or practices”) rather than individual incidents of potential police misconduct.

The Attorney General’s office will take specific incidents into account during the investigation. The investigation’s questions, findings and conclusions will be focused on whether systemic problems exist within the Joliet Police Department.

Career attorneys in the office’s Civil Rights and Special Litigation Bureaus will carry out the investigation, with assistance from experienced law enforcement, legal, and data experts. Attorney General’s Office staff will also seek input from all areas of the Joliet community.

Watch video of 9-8-21 Announcement

Read Joliet Policing Investigation News Release

CONTACT US

Community input is an important part of the Illinois Attorney General Office’s investigation of the Joliet Police Department. Please contact the Attorney General’s Office if you would like to share your experiences, recommendations, or questions regarding policing in Joliet.

You can contact the office through the following means:

• E-mail: input.joliet@ilag.gov
• Toll-Free Hotline: 833-243-1498

Please note that the Attorney General’s Office does not have the authority to investigate or file individual complaints against JPD, nor can the Attorney General’s Office give you legal advice or sue JPD on your behalf.

Please be aware that information and any documents the Attorney General’s Office receives are subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and may be disclosed if requested, subject to the exemptions provided under FOIA, 5 ILCS 140/7 and 5 ILCS 140/7.5. However, the Attorney General’s Office will not disclose any information that would reveal your identity (including your name, personal address, or personal phone number).

IN THE COMMUNITY
Watch this space for information about meetings and events. To be added to the email distribution list for future events, please email special.events@ilag.gov.

March 24, 2022

• 5:30-7:30 pm - NAACP Listening Session for Youth
  Joliet Junior College
  U Building Auditorium
  We want to hear about how JPD interacts with young adults ages 14-19
  For more details see Youth Listening Session: Here to Hear flier.
  

March 9, 2021

• 4:30 -6:30p Listening Session for Youth
  Joliet Junior College U Building Auditorium
  We want to hear about how JPD interacts with young adults ages 18-24
  For more details see Youth Listening Session: Here to Hear flier.
  

November 8, 2021

• 5:30-7:00 pm - NAACP Listening Session
  For more information see NAACP flier
  Please RSVP to NAACP Justice Committee Chairperson, Ms. Betty Washington, at (815) 272-4318 or betty5771@sbcglobal.net
  Requests for reasonable accommodations can also be directed here.
  

September 23, 2021

• 6:30 pm - Virtual Town Hall
  For more information about this event or to RSVP, please email special.events@ilag.gov or contact call the Attorney General’s Conference Registration Line at 1-866-376-7215.
  
• Virtual Town Hall Press Release

RESOURCES

• Technical Assistance Letter re: the Joliet Police Department’s Language Access System
• Technical Assistance Letter re: the Joliet Police Department's Early Warning System
• Fact sheet on the Illinois Attorney General’s Investigation of the Joliet Police Department
• Press Release on Investigation of Joliet Police Practices