Municipal Litigation Lottery – City Journal

In Chicago, officials estimate the city will pay around $160 million in judgments this fiscal year, nearly double the $82 million it has budgeted. Some critics say the administration is its own worst enemy, frequently settling lawsuits on generous terms rather than choosing to litigate. In one case, the city paid $5 million to a woman who developed frostbite after being locked out of her apartment, even though police said she had refused their help. “We have to learn that some situations, while tragic, are not our fault,” said Ald. Raymond Lopez. “They are not the responsibility of taxpayers."