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Durbin, Sessions discuss federal probe into Chicago police

Sen. Dick Durbin said he’s discussed a pending civil rights report on the Chicago police with President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the DOJ

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Attorney General nominee Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., left, meets with Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin of Ill., on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017.

AP Photo/Cliff Owen

Associated Press

CHICAGO — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says he’s discussed a pending civil rights report on the Chicago police with President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Justice.

The Illinois Democrat spoke to reporters after Wednesday’s meeting in Washington, D.C., with Sen. Jeff Sessions, a Republican from Alabama.

Durbin said he sought assurances that if Sessions is confirmed as U.S. attorney general, he would address problems identified by the department.

The department launched its investigation into police practices after a video showed a white officer fatally shooting black teen Laquan McDonald 16 times. The video prompted protests and demands for reforms.

The report is expected to be released before Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration. Durbin says he expects it “any day now.”

A message seeking comment from Sessions’ office wasn’t returned.