Chicago City Council Weighs Ban on Police Extremism

Proposed ordinance would prohibit officers from engaging in 'extremist activity'.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:40am

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and waves of navy blue, gray, and white, conceptually representing the turbulence and unease surrounding allegations of extremism within the Chicago Police Department.A fractured, avant-garde painting reflects the instability and uncertainty surrounding allegations of extremism within the Chicago Police Department.Chicago Today

The Chicago City Council is expected to consider an ordinance that would ban police officers from engaging in "extremist activity." The proposal was inspired by the January 6th riot and a watchdog report about ties to extremism among the ranks of the Chicago Police Department (CPD).

Why it matters

The ordinance aims to address concerns about extremism within the CPD following the January 6th riot and a report that found the city's "handling of extremism in its police ranks has fallen short of commitments made by the City and CPD leadership." It would give the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) the authority to investigate allegations of extremist ties among officers.

The details

The ordinance, sponsored by Alderman Matt Martin, would ban CPD officers from engaging in activities such as fundraising for extremist groups, recruiting or training others for extremist acts, using city property or sharing confidential information to support extremist activities, and knowingly wearing clothing or getting tattoos with extremist symbols. The city's Office of Public Safety Administration would also be tasked with screening CPD applicants for a history of extremist behavior.

  • The Chicago City Council is expected to consider the ordinance.
  • A 2024 Office of Inspector General investigation found issues with the city's handling of extremism in the police ranks.

The players

Ald. Matt Martin

The 47th Ward alderman who sponsored the ordinance.

Ald. Nicholas Sposato

The 38th Ward alderman who was a critic of the ordinance, arguing it singled out police officers.

Chicago Police Department

The department that the ordinance would apply to, and which said it was "supportive" of the measure.

Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA)

The agency that would be authorized to investigate allegations of extremist ties among CPD officers under the proposed ordinance.

Office of Public Safety Administration

The city agency that would be tasked with screening CPD applicants for a history of extremist behavior.

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What they’re saying

“My problem is you're singling somebody out. This is a very accusatory-type ordinance.”

— Ald. Nicholas Sposato, 38th Ward Alderman

“I do feel that at the end of the day, despite me wanting this to have a broader application, I believe that the pared-down and substitute ordinance that's before this committee is responsive to issues that have been identified nationally and locally and is better to move forward than to do nothing at all.”

— Ald. Matt Martin, 47th Ward Alderman

What’s next

The Chicago City Council's Committee on Workforce Development advanced the measure on Monday in a contentious 6-3 vote. The full City Council is expected to consider the ordinance.

The takeaway

This proposed ordinance highlights the ongoing concerns about extremism within law enforcement agencies, particularly in the wake of the January 6th riot. While the measure targets only police officers, it reflects a broader effort to address the issue of extremism in public service roles.