Following the U.S. Department of Justice's announcement that it will investigate the Chicago Police Department (CPD), Democrat Illinois Reps. Luis Gutiérrez and Robin Kelly have invited Attorney General Loretta Lynch to also visit the city.

Following the death of 17-year-old African American Laquan McDonald, who was shot 16 times by a CPD officer on Oct. 20, 2014, and the release of dashboard camera recording's release on Nov. 24, Lynch announced she has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation on the CPD. The Dec. 7 announcement noted the investigation will determine "whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution or federal law by officers of CPD" and examine the CPD's "use of force, including racial, ethnic and other disparities in use of force, and its systems of accountability."

"Building trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve is one of my highest priorities as Attorney General," said Lynch in a statement on Monday. "The Department of Justice intends to do everything we can to foster those bonds and create safer and fairer communities across the country. And regardless of the findings in this investigation, we will seek to work with local officials, residents, and law enforcement officers alike to ensure that the people of Chicago have the world-class police department they deserve."

On Wednesday, Kelly and Gutiérrez announced they have written a letter to the attorney general to include a visit of the city as part of the investigation. The lawmakers asked Lynch to also meet with constituents and stakeholders in each of Chicago's congressional districts.

"A visit from the Attorney General to meet with key stakeholders and constituents will signal to Chicagoans that the Department of Justice is making progress," Kelly said in a statement. "People on the streets need to see that something is being done to help rebuild trust in law enforcement."

Kelly has applauded Lynch's decision to launch an investigation on the CPD's processes and procedures, not only to address McDonald's fatal shooting but previous incidents involving CPD officers.

"The AG ought to visit personally and see the neighborhoods and talk with people in all of Chicago's diverse communities because we all interact with police and need to know they can be trusted. Ultimately, this is about building confidence in the police and getting them to work with the communities they protect and patrol," said Gutiérrez, adding that he's confident the Justice Department will conduct a thorough and fair investigation, "but one important step towards healing and restoring trust will be her personal involvement."

In the letter addressed to Lynch, Kelly and Gutiérrez wrote that they have received, "with increasing frequency," the use of force, police brutality and racial profiling from constituents. Kelly and Gutierrez said they initially planned on meeting Lynch in Washington, D.C., but thought it would be better for the attorney general to visit Chicago, with a 28.9 percent Latino and 32.9 percent African-American populations.

To read the letter, click here.

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