The city of Chicago will pay $5.7 million to a family after a jury found that police wrongfully raided their home

The city of Chicago will pay $5.7 million to a family after a jury found that police wrongfully raided their home

Chicago City Pays $5.7 Million Following Jury Verdict in 2018 Botched Police Raid Case

A federal jury ruled on February 25, 2026, that the City of Chicago must pay $5.7 million to the Tate family after determining that Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers violated their civil rights during a 2018 raid according to court records. The verdict followed a three-week trial addressing allegations of excessive force and procedural misconduct by nine CPD officers during a SWAT operation in the Back of the Yards neighborhood as reported.

The incident occurred on August 9, 2018, when officers executed a search warrant at Ebony Tate's residence, mistakenly targeting the wrong address. The family alleged that officers used flash-bang grenades, pointed assault rifles at Tate, her four children (ages 4–13), and her mother, Cynthia Eason, and forced Eason outside in a state of undress according to jury findings. The jury found that officers lied about not pointing weapons at family members and acted unreasonably by breaking down the door without warning, despite the warrant not authorizing a no-knock entry as determined.

The settlement includes $5.7 million in compensatory and punitive damages, with $1 million awarded to each child, $750,000 to Tate and Eason, and $240,000 in punitive damages as detailed. The city had previously spent $600,000 on legal fees defending the officers before the trial according to court documents. While the jury cleared the city and officers of assault and unlawful imprisonment charges, it held the city liable for fostering a culture of unaccountable conduct within CPD as concluded.

The absence of body-worn camera footage—SWAT officers were not required to wear them in 2018—meant jurors relied on conflicting testimonies from the family and officers according to trial reports. CPD's legal team disputed the allegations, asserting officers followed protocol and did not misuse force as stated. The city has indicated it may pursue post-trial motions to challenge the verdict as reported.

This ruling highlights ongoing scrutiny of police practices and financial liabilities tied to civil rights violations. For Chicago, the payout adds to growing costs associated with police accountability cases, with taxpayers bearing the burden of settlements and legal defense expenses according to legal analysis. The case may also influence future budgetary considerations and reform efforts within the city's legal and law enforcement frameworks.