CHICAGO – Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) released the following statement after Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke received a sentence Friday of a little less than 7 years for second degree murder in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald:
“This sentencing was disappointing because it provides further support that even in light of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, bad police actors will not be held responsible for their illegal acts. The length of this sentence serves to re-victimize the McDonald family and adds to the overwhelming pain they and many across our communities have already endured.
“What we saw Friday, coupled with the acquittal of the three officers charged with covering up Van Dyke’s actions Thursday, are unacceptable abuses of our justice system and further strains an already strained relationship between law enforcement, the justice system and a community that has been under-resourced, disinvested in and devalued for far too long.
