Chicago Aldermen Approve $27 Million Settlement for Woman Killed in Police Chase

The settlement would go to the family of Stacy Vaughn-Harrell, who died in 2017 when a driver fleeing police rammed into her car.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:58pm

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The Chicago City Council's Finance Committee has approved a $27 million settlement for the family of Stacy Vaughn-Harrell, a 47-year-old woman who was killed in 2017 when a driver speeding while fleeing police rammed into her car in Hyde Park. The settlement, which still requires a final council vote, comes after Vaughn-Harrell's family won a $10.2 million jury verdict against the city in 2023, but the city challenged the outcome, triggering a new trial.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges Chicago faces with police-related settlements, which have cost the city tens of millions of dollars in recent years. The high-dollar settlement also raises questions about police pursuit policies and accountability for officers' actions that contribute to tragic outcomes for innocent bystanders.

The details

The $27 million settlement includes $20 million from the city and $7 million from its insurer. City officials said the higher settlement amount is due to 'a different case' forming over time, with new evidence, witnesses, and broader claims for damages. Vaughn-Harrell's daughter, Kimberlyn Myers, spoke emotionally at the committee meeting, saying the family continues to suffer daily from the loss. Alderman Bill Conway, the only one to question the deal, ultimately supported it after learning jurors in the first trial determined police engaged in 'willful and wanton conduct' that contributed to the crash.

  • Stacy Vaughn-Harrell was killed in a police chase in June 2017.
  • Vaughn-Harrell's family won a $10.2 million jury verdict against the city in May 2023.
  • The $27 million settlement was approved by the Finance Committee on March 13, 2026.
  • The final City Council vote on the settlement is scheduled for March 16, 2026.

The players

Stacy Vaughn-Harrell

A 47-year-old woman who was killed in 2017 when a driver fleeing police rammed into her car in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

Kimberlyn Myers

Vaughn-Harrell's daughter, who spoke emotionally at the committee meeting about the family's ongoing suffering from her mother's death.

Chicago City Council

The governing body of the City of Chicago that is set to give final approval to the $27 million settlement.

John Hendricks

The Law Department's managing deputy of litigation, who said the city has lost many similar cases in court.

Margaret Mendenhall Casey

A city attorney who pointed to an array of changed circumstances that led to the higher settlement amount.

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What they’re saying

“We are here to be heard. We are here to be understood. Every day there's pain that we all go through. Today is just as hard as it was on June 24.”

— Kimberlyn Myers, Vaughn-Harrell's daughter (Chicago Tribune)

“I think that despite the big dollar amount, I think this sounds like a reasonable settlement, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.”

— Alderman Bill Conway (Chicago Tribune)

What’s next

The $27 million settlement is scheduled for a final vote by the full Chicago City Council on Wednesday, March 16, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges Chicago faces in addressing police-related settlements, which have cost the city tens of millions of dollars in recent years. The high-dollar payout to Vaughn-Harrell's family underscores the need for greater police accountability and reforms to pursuit policies to prevent such tragic outcomes for innocent bystanders.