Lawsuit seeks 'seat at the table' on Chicago police reforms

CHICAGO (AP) - Another new lawsuit wants to ensure issues related to people with disabilities are addressed in any plan to reform Chicago police.

The ACLU and other advocacy groups sued Chicago Wednesday in federal court.

The suit says an August lawsuit on reforms filed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and backed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel doesn't address how police practices hurt those with disabilities.

Fred Friedman is with Next Steps, which advocates for those with mental illness, the homeless and others. It's a plaintiff in the newest lawsuit. Friedman says those with disabilities must "have a seat at the table" as a reform plan is developed.

City law department spokesman Bill McCaffrey said in a statement Chicago is committed to a "process that includes the input of local community groups" and court oversight.

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Corrects to show the Next Steps group involved in the litigation advocates for those with mental illness and the homeless, not for those with spinal injuries. A group with the same name in Chicago works with people who suffered spinal injuries and isn't a plaintiff.