Page 23 - May 2017 Newsletter

liberty interests.” But the list of fundamental rights and liberty interests is short, and municipal employees do not have a fundamental right to be free from residency requirements.
Chicago Police Officers, like many Officers assigned to large cities with a residency requirement, have long expressed a desire to eliminate the residency rule that currently exists. This measure was staunchly opposed by Chicago’s former Mayor Richard Daley. The current mayor is also strongly opposed to any revision of the law requiring Police to live in the City. Shortly after be- ing elected to his first term, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said, “They are more than police and fire; they are anchors in a neighborhood. They’re the Little League coaches, the hockey coaches, the volunteers at the place of wor- ship. They are anchors — not just in their block, but in their community.” Proponents of the residency require- ment argue that allowing Police Officers to live outside of the city in which they patrol will create a disconnect between them and city residents. Our political leaders have been quick to criticize Police lately and have called for measures that will build upon restoring a relation- ship between the Police and those they serve. Accord- ingly, I find it nearly impossible that the political lead- ership will step up to center stage and call for the repeal of residency. After all, law enforcement remains in the spotlight; why would a politician leave the safety and se- curity of the darkness here? d
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