Chicago Police Early Warning System Faces New Delays with 2027 Launch Date Following Missed Reporting Deadlines

The Chicago Police Department has informed city leaders that its new early warning system to flag problematic officers won't be ready until 2027.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 7:15 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WTTW News

Long-Delayed Reform Pushed Further Back

The implementation of the Early Intervention and Support System (EISS), a cornerstone of Chicago’s police reform efforts, has hit another significant roadblock. According to a memo from CPD Chief of Staff Dana O’Malley, the department now "hopes" to launch the system citywide in 2027. This represents a substantial delay for a tool intended to identify high-risk officer behavior before it escalates into serious misconduct or costly litigation. The system is a core requirement of the 2019 federal consent decree, which was sparked by findings that CPD routinely violated the constitutional rights of Black and Latino residents.

Lack of Transparency and Missed Deadlines

The delay came to light only after the department missed multiple reporting deadlines established in the city’s 2026 budget ordinance. The ordinance required CPD to provide monthly progress updates to Mayor Brandon Johnson and the chairs of three City Council committees starting in February. Records show that CPD did not provide its first update until February 18, two days after WTTW News first reported the department's non-compliance. Mayor Johnson admitted in a recent press conference that he had not seen the required updates until the department was pressured by Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and media inquiries.

Selection of Benchmark Analytics

In its effort to build the "advanced data-driven early warning tool," CPD selected Chicago-based firm Benchmark Analytics in 2025. The firm is led by Ron Huberman, a former police officer who served as chief of staff to former Mayor Richard M. Daley. While Benchmark Analytics has similar contracts in cities like Minneapolis and Phoenix, questions remain regarding the procurement process. City vendor databases currently lack records for the firm, making it unclear whether the contract was awarded through competitive bidding or what the final cost to taxpayers will be. The firm is currently working with over 20 data scientists to create predictive algorithms based on historical CPD data.