ShotSpotter support highest in Black, Hispanic Chicago wards mayor claims it hurts
ShotSpotter support highest in Black, Hispanic Chicago wards mayor claims it hurts
Where is support strongest for the gunshot detection system Chicago’s mayor wants to dump? In the Black and Hispanic wards where it is most needed and has saved lives.
By Patrick Andriesen
SAFE-T Act Year 1: Fewer Cook County defendants detained, downstate Illinois adjusts
SAFE-T Act Year 1: Fewer Cook County defendants detained, downstate Illinois adjusts
Sept. 18 marks Illinois’ first anniversary of being the first state to end cash bail. The predicted disaster was averted. Cook County saw significant improvements. Still, changes to the SAFE-T Act could improve public safety, remain fair to defendants.
By Joe Tabor, Patrick Andriesen
Violence up 7.2%: robberies, aggravated assaults, batteries hit 5-year highs
Violence up 7.2%: robberies, aggravated assaults, batteries hit 5-year highs
Chicagoans experienced 7.2% more violent crime between August 2023 and July 204, with cases of robbery, aggravated assault and aggravated battery at five-year highs.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Democratic delegates need not go far to see why Chicago is U.S. murder capital
Democratic delegates need not go far to see why Chicago is U.S. murder capital
Chicago for the 12th year is America’s murder capital. The deadliest areas are not far from the Democratic National Convention, with at least one a moderate walk from the United Center and others that can be visited on a city-sponsored tour.
By Patrick Andriesen
New law gives more Illinoisans IDs upon release from jail
New law gives more Illinoisans IDs upon release from jail
Illinoisans released from a variety of correctional facilities have one less barrier to being a productive member of society. A new law grants them a state identification card when they are released from jails and federal facilities, an important part of getting work and housing.
By Dylan Sharkey
1 in 3 Chicago violent crimes is a robbery, up 21% in a year
1 in 3 Chicago violent crimes is a robbery, up 21% in a year
Chicagoans reported 7.6% more violent crime from July 2023 through June 2024.
Residents experienced a 21% increase in robberies during those 12 months, with robberies becoming one-third of all violent crimes.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Vallas: 10 things you should know about Chicago crime today
Vallas: 10 things you should know about Chicago crime today
Independence Day weekend was bloody in Chicago. City leaders are doing little other than pointing fingers. Here are 10 things Chicagoans should know about the current crime problem.
By Paul Vallas
Chicago violent crime up 8% through May, spurred by spike in robberies
Chicago violent crime up 8% through May, spurred by spike in robberies
Chicagoans reported 7.8% more violent crime from June 2023 through May 2024, led primarily by a spike in robberies. West and South Side residents bore the brunt of the increase as arrest rates continued to decline.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Former Ald. Ed Burke sentenced to 2 years for racketeering, bribery
Former Ald. Ed Burke sentenced to 2 years for racketeering, bribery
Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, once the longest-serving member of the city council, was sentenced to two years in prison and pay a $2 million fine.
By Dylan Sharkey
Black Chicagoans 20X likelier to be homicide victims; arrest rate hits record low
Black Chicagoans 20X likelier to be homicide victims; arrest rate hits record low
Black Chicagoans were over 20 times more likely to become homicide victims during the past 12 months than their white peers, with 9-in-10 homicides on the South Side and West Side. Hopes of catching killers hit a new low.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko