City Council approves $280K settlement for protester injured by police officer

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CHICAGO – City Council’s finance committee approved a $280,000 settlement Monday for protester Miracle Boyd, who was injured by a Chicago police officer during a violent confrontation at a demonstration in 2020.

“This officer shouldn’t have done this,” Boyd said.

Boyd was among the crowd protesting the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park. Some protesters threw objects at police officers trying to defend the statue against others who were trying to remove it.

While Boyd filmed an arrest, a police officer slapped her phone, causing it to hit her face while knocking out a tooth.

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Prior to Monday’s vote, Boyd and her supporters voiced their passionate pleas.

“This officer has lied in his report about what took place. He quit his job to avoid accountability,” Boyd said.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) determined the now-former police officer, identified as Nicholas Jovanovich, used excessive force and included false information in his report about the incident.

Jovanovich resigned before COPA’s recommendation for his dismissal.

During Monday’s meeting, council members were divided on the settlement.

“I think the young people and Miracle said enough, but 280,000 ain’t enough to fix what was broken that way. It’s not,” Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th Ward) said.

“We’d be a bunch of fools to support this money. I certainly am not supporting this. I’m a solid no,” Ald. Nick Sposato (38th Ward) countered.

Boyd was 18 years old at the time of the incident. She’s now 23 and has a plan for how the money will be used.

“She will put toward schooling her new baby she is about to welcome into the world and the healing she so rightfully deserves,” Boyd’s supporter Matt Palmer said.