Chicago crime: Assaults up 7% for year, as women targeted

By Jon Josko, Hilary Gowins

04/11/2024

Assaults were up 7% for the year ended in March. Black Chicagoans were 5 times more likely to be assaulted, with Black women assaulted nearly as often as Black men – a much higher rate than women of other races. There’s a disturbing trend of targeted violence.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Chicagoans suffer decade-high robberies, record-low arrest rate

By Patrick Andriesen

03/28/2024

Chicago saw more robbery victims in 2023 than in any year of the past decade, reporting 1 victim for every 250 residents. While crimes surged, robbery arrests hit a record low. Fewer cops is not helping.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Editorial: Voters send loud message to Mayor Johnson, his Chicago Teachers Union allies

By Hilary Gowins

03/19/2024

In 2020, 70% of Chicago voters approved the failed statewide progressive income tax. But on March 19, they rejected Mayor Brandon Johnson’s real estate transfer tax hike. This is a resounding defeat for Johnson and his allies in the Chicago Teachers Union.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, taxes

Bring Chicago Home referendum being rejected by voters

By Dylan Sharkey

03/19/2024

Chicago voters were giving a thumbs down on the referendum to raise the real estate transfer tax on million-dollar properties known as “Bring Chicago Home,” with 54% voting “no” with 96% of the precincts reporting.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago, real estate transfer tax

Illinois Primary Election Day: How to vote

By Dylan Sharkey

03/18/2024

March 19 is Primary Election Day in Illinois. Here’s a guide on how, when and where to vote.

TAGS: Chicago

Chicago spending on migrants reaches nearly $300M as evictions begin

By Dylan Sharkey

03/18/2024

Chicago is approaching $300 million spent on the migrant crisis since the first bus arrived in 2022. Nearly two years later, more than 11,200 migrants are in the city shelters.

TAGS: Chicago

Editorial: Homeless Chicagoans number steady despite 3X city spending on issue

By Hilary Gowins

03/15/2024

The city’s data shows there are 6,139 homeless Chicagoans. That number has barely budged since 2014, when the city counted 6,294 homeless Chicagoans, but city spending on homelessness has jumped from $21.7 million in 2014 to $58 million in 2023.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Illinois Supreme Court: Votes count on ‘Bring Chicago Home’ referendum

By Dylan Sharkey

03/13/2024

The Illinois Supreme Court rejected a petition to invalidate votes on the “Bring Chicago Home” referendum. Voting ends March 19.

TAGS: Chicago, real estate transfer tax

How many Chicagoans are homeless?

By Dylan Sharkey

03/13/2024

‘Bring Chicago Home’ advocates claim there are 68,000 homeless Chicagoans, but that’s 10 times higher than the estimate recognized by the federal government. If the problem is exaggerated, what will Mayor Brandon Johnson do with his tax hike money?

TAGS: Chicago

Report: Chicago violent crime spikes 11%, arrests in just 11%

By Hilary Gowins, Jon Josko

03/12/2024

Even though the number of violent crimes in Chicago grew to its highest level in a decade last year, the arrest rate dropped. Robbery and vehicle theft both rose by over 30% last year.

TAGS: Chicago, crime