Statement by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on the LaQuan McDonald Case

My heart goes out to the family of LaQuan McDonald. I cannot begin to understand the grief felt by LaQuan's family and friends. We cannot ease their pain but we can demand accountability. While we cannot yet know all the facts of the case, delay and obstruction have prevented justice from being carried out. I commend Judge Valderamma for demanding the release of the dashcam video. However, I am dismayed that we had to rely on his intervention and that only after his decision was the officer involved charged. There is no doubt the video will be incredibly difficult to view, but it is the only way to move forward. My hope is that this allows us not only to heal, but to work together towards a more just and accountable criminal justice system.