Following theChicago PDmidseason finale at the end of 2024,the back half of season 12 has many questions to answer and mysteries to solve, from a villain’s plan to relationship statuses.The NBC police procedural TV series, created by Dick Wolf and Matt Olmstead, is the second officialshow in theOne Chicagouniverseand follows the members of the Intelligence Unit in the Chicago Police Department. Most are morally gray and often make mistakes no cop should make. As a result,theChicago PDcharactersfrequently find themselves in trouble, as seen throughout season 12, episode 8, “Penance.”
The three shows in theOne Chicagouniverse return on Wednesday, June 17, 2025, withChicago Medseason 10, episode 9, “No Love Lost,” premiering at 8 pm ET,Chicago Fireseason 13, episode 9, “A Favor,” airing at 9 pm ET, andChicago PDseason 12, episode 9, “Friends and Family,” at 10 pm ET.
IntheChicago PDseason 12 fall finale,Dante Torres was the source of the team’s trouble when they learned about his affair with his CI, Gloria.Many were furious with him (despite most of the team engaging in some sort of illegal matter in their pasts). By the end of the hour, it seemed like the Intelligence Unit was out of the woods. However, Charlie Reid’s meeting with Hank Voight in his office duringChicago PDseason 12, episode 8’s closing scene proved that the team’s troubles had only just begun, meaning future episodes have much to contend with.
7What Does Reid Have Planned For Voight?
Reid Wants Voight In His Back Pocket
Shawn Hatosy’s Reid was introduced towardsthe end of theChicago PDseason 12 premiereas the new deputy chief of the CPD, working closely with the Bureau of Organized Crime (and the Intelligence Unit). When Voight first met Reid, the new character appeared friendly and welcoming. However, Voight’s reaction to their interaction indicated otherwise. He was seemingly wary of the new deputy chief, meaning the audience was, too. As the episodes went on,Reid’s behavior grew more suspicious,and his meeting with Voight during the fall finale indicated why.
Chicago PD’s Upton Replacement Resurrects Voight’s Last Covered Murder Case From 4 Years Ago
Following Upton’s exit at the end of Chicago PD season 11, someone familiar replaced her in season 12, and they might cause trouble for Voight.
Reid informed Voight that he knew about Torres' affair with his CIand that Kim Burgess covered up for him. When Voight questioned why he was telling him this instead of reporting the team, Reid responded that he would “like to use the info differently” by him and Voight becoming “friends.” Based on this exchange, it appears as though Reid wants to blackmail Voight to do his bidding.
However,it’s unclear what the deputy chief’s evil schemes truly entail.What is Reid going to make Voight do? How will they affect the Intelligence Unit? Will Voight succumb to Reid’s blackmail? These are the questionsChicago PDmust address when season 12 returns during the midseason.
6How Does Burgess Factor Into Reid’s Nefarious Plans?
Reid Secured Burgess' Detective Spot On Intelligence
The central evidence Reid uses to blackmail inChicago PDseason 12 circles back to Torres. However, Reid also knows that Burgess abused her power to protect Torres, meaning the deputy chief has as much dirt on the new detective as he does on the younger officer. By taking that into account and the fact thatReid was the one who ensured Burgess stayed in the Intelligence Unit after she passed the detective test,it’s clear that Burgess is a key factor intheChicago PDseason 12 villain’s plans.
Only time will tell what Voight’sChicago PDseason 12 adversary has in store for Burgess or how she’ll handle the pressure, though.
Reid wouldn’t have gone out of his way to assign Burgess back to the Intelligence Unit if he didn’t have an ulterior motive. As mentioned above, it’s unknown what exactly Reid has up his sleeve, butBurgess is clearly in trouble.She will likely be one of the people Reid focuses on to help him do his bidding. Only time will tell whatVoight’sChicago PDseason 12 adversaryhas in store for Burgess or how she’ll handle the pressure, though.
5How Will Burgess Handle Her New Position In Intelligence?
Burgess Was Promoted To Detective In Chicago PD Season 12, Episode 6
AfterTracy Spiridakos' Hailey Upton leftChicago PD,Voight had to find a new detective to replace her.Unfortunately, Upton’s first successor (Emily Martel) died at the end of the season 12 premiere. However, one originalChicago PDcharacter soon stepped up to the plate and got the promotion she has always deserved — Burgess.
Shawn Hatosy
Charlie Reid
Burgess took the detective test inChicago PDseason 12, episode 6, and shadowed Detective Juarez. While she passed the exam,Burgess' ride-along with Juarez didn’t go too well,but that didn’t stop her from securing the promotion to detective. Reid initially wanted to assign Burgess elsewhere to ensure she wouldn’t be protected by Voight. He had a sudden change of heart, though, and allowed Burgess to rejoin the Intelligence Unit by the end of the hour. She was open to relocating but wasn’t going to argue against Reid’s decision.
Burgess is already under a lot of pressure, thanks to her new promotion and expectations set by Upton. Now,her stress will be doubled because of Reid’s nefarious plans.He surely isn’t going to make the transition from officer to detective go easily for Burgess, and it will be intriguing to see how she handles all the hurdles coming her way in the 2025Chicago PDseason 12 episodes.
4Will Burgess & Ruzek Actually Get Married?
The Couple Is Planning Their Wedding
Aside from her new position in the Intelligence Unit and Reid’s manipulation,Burgess also has a wedding to deal with in the NBC police procedural’s twelfth season.Adam Ruzek proposed to Burgess (for the third time) inChicago PDseason 11, and she said yes. So, the couple (whose journey has been quite rocky, to say the least) plan on stepping up to the altar and saying their vows in season 12. However, given Burgess and Ruzek’s past and the nature of theOne Chicagouniverse, they might not successfully make it down the aisle in 2025.
According toChicago PDseason 12 showrunner Gwen Sigan, the Burgess and Ruzek wedding is “definitely going to happen” (perTV Insider). Just because the church bells will be ringing doesn’t mean that Ruzek and Burgess go through with saying, “I do,” though. The couple’s relationship has been a rollercoaster since the beginning. Consequently, it’s difficult to imagine their wedding will go on without a hitch.Something will likely get in Ruzek and Burgess' way,and viewers will have to wait until the end ofChicago PDseason 12 to learn if the couple actually gets married.
3How Will Gloria’s Death Affect Torres?
Gloria Perez died inChicago PDseason 12, episode 8, andher death will undoubtedly rattle Torres.He had an illegal relationship with Gloria, the wife of a drug lord, while undercover, and now, not only does his whole team know about the affair, but Torres also held Gloria in his arms when she took her last breath. It’s safe to say that Torres has been through hell this season. He likely won’t deal with it all that well whenChicago PDreturns in 2025, especially now that Reid knows the truth about Torres' relationship with Gloria.
Torres will be grieving Gloria. But it’s unclear what that process will look like for Torres when taking into account all the other troubles he has encountered and will continue dealing with. Will Torres break under the pressure? Can he forgive himself for his mistakes?How will Torres handle Reid’s blackmail?Fans will just have to tune in to theChicago PDseason 12 winter premiere in January 2025 to find out.
2Will Voight & Chapman Get Together?
Chapman Confessed Her Feelings For Voight
Voight’s love life has been nonexistent over the course ofChicago PD’s 12 seasons. However, Assistant State Attorney Nina Chapman is putting an end to that in season 12. Towards the end of episode 4,Chapman, who had been growing close to Voight since her introduction in season 9, revealed she had feelings for Jason Beghe’s character.Voight was rather shocked to learn that Chapman was interested in him, and he didn’t exactly reply to her confession. Since then, Chapman has been working on a federal RICO case in Denver.
Jay Halstead’s Return Will Only Ruin Chicago PD, Even If Jesse Lee Soffer Wants To Come Back
Jesse Lee Soffer has settled into his new role in FBI: International but hasn’t ruled out a Halstead return in Chicago P.D., which can be problematic.
When Chapman returns to Chicago in the back half of season 12, the NBC police procedural series must address her feelings for Voight, and if he feels the same way about her. Based on his reaction,it seems like Voight never thought about Chapman that way.However, now that the idea is in his head, perhaps Voight will start seeing Chapman in a different light, resulting in Voight’s first romance in over 220 episodes.Chapman is the perfect partner for Voight inChicago PD, after all.
1Which Characters Will Be In Danger During The One Chicago Crossover?
The 3 Chicago Shows Are Finally Crossing Over Again
TheOne Chicagofranchise will have its first crossover in five yearsin early 2025, and it’s bound to put someChicago PDcharacters in danger. According to the upcoming three-episode event’s logline, the crossover will feature characters from all threeOne ChicagoTV showsjoining forces to save trapped civilians after a gas explosion at a high-rise building(and learn why and how it happened). Unfortunately, two of the victims will be characters the audience already knows.
The three-hourOne Chicagocrossover premieres on Wednesday, July 04, 2025, on NBC (perVariety). However, the franchise’s normal schedule (regarding timeslots) will be changed for the event asChicago Firewill kick things off at 8 pm ET, followed byChicago Medat 9 pm ET, and ending withChicago PDat 10 pm ET.
So, the glaring question surrounding the upcomingOne Chicagocrossover eventconcernsthe identities of the two aforementioned characters who get trapped after the explosion.They might come from theChicago FireorChicago Medcasts. However, it’s also possible that one (or both) works in the 21st District of the CPD. The good news is thatChicago PDfans won’t have to wait too long to learn more because the crossover premieres in late January 2025.
Chicago P.D.
Cast
Chicago P.D.: This police drama, set in Chicago’s District 21, follows the distinct units within the Chicago Police Department—uniformed officers addressing street crimes and an Intelligence Unit tackling major offenses such as organized crime and drug trafficking, capturing the dedication of those who serve and protect their community.
