Overview
- The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability unanimously voted Thursday to forward Antoinette Ursitti, Angel Novalez and Christopher Papaioannou to Mayor Brandon Johnson as the three finalists for Chicago police superintendent.
- All three finalists are long‑time Chicago Police Department leaders with more than 25 years of service, and Ursitti would become the department’s first woman superintendent if Johnson selects her.
- The commission said community priorities that guided the search were reducing violent crime, rebuilding trust between police and neighborhoods, and improving officer wellness and morale after months of public listening sessions and outreach.
- The national search drew 46 applicants and used Ralph Andersen & Associates for assistance at a cost of about $200,000, but the final slate contains no outside candidates and no African American finalists, raising representational and political concerns.
- Johnson has 30 days to pick one finalist or ask for a new search and any nominee must be confirmed by the City Council, a step that could be influenced by the mayor’s reelection campaign and union and aldermanic reactions.