Vallas: Chicago needs federal intervention, but not National Guard

By Paul Vallas

09/08/2025

Federal help is needed in Chicago, but it should be professional law enforcement and encompass the entire justice system. Sending just the National Guard is destined to create problems when Chicago’s embattled communities need solutions.

Chicago retirement fund for first responders at greater risk

By LyLena Estabine

08/14/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law adding $11.1 billion in new liabilities to Chicago’s fire and police pensions, already the worst-funded in the nation. These “sweeteners” hurt retirement security more than they help.

Chicago alderman’s $120K pension shows why city fund is broken

By LyLena Estabine

08/14/2025

Chicago’s municipal pension is one of the worst-funded pension systems in the nation despite sky-high taxes dedicated to paying into it. Fat pensions such as former Ald. Walter Burnett’s show why.

TAGS: Chicago City Council

Chicago homicides lowest in decade, but so is arrest rate

By Patrick Andriesen

08/04/2025

Chicago homicides were at a decade low for the 12 months through June, but also down was the arrest rate from 42% to 27%.

Vallas: It was a bad weekend, but Chicago’s violent crime rate falling

By Paul Vallas

07/08/2025

A violent Independence Day weekend has Chicagoans worried about violent crime, but it was a spike and not a trend. Crime is falling, thanks to new law enforcement efforts.

TAGS: Chicago

Chicago aggravated batteries hit 5-year high; 3 in 5 victims are Black

By Patrick Andriesen

03/26/2025

Chicagoans reported the highest number of aggravated batteries through February in the past five years, with Black residents accounting for 3 in 5 victims.

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

By Joe Tabor

02/10/2025

Published Feb. 10, 2025 Even though federal COVID relief funds provided an unexpected windfall, that one-time jolt of cash could leave many Illinois localities even worse off than they were before. That boost in revenue allowed local governments to put off difficult budgeting decisions, and as that revenue dries up, municipalities will have to contend...

Chicago violent crime trends up as arrests trend down

By Patrick Andriesen

01/29/2025

Chicago residents reported 28,443 violent crimes during 2024. Attacks and threats were both up, with aggravated assaults hitting a 20-year high.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

How many gang crimes occurred in your Chicago neighborhood?

By Patrick Andriesen

01/13/2025

How often did gang crimes happen in your Chicago neighborhood? Here’s what the Chicago Police data shows.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

4,098 Chicagoans killed in gang crime in 20 years

By Patrick Andriesen

12/30/2024

Chicago gang crime declined to its lowest level in the past two decades in 2023, but the numbers may be more about gangs fracturing and police losing their gang database. Still, more than 1-in-5 homicides were suspected of being gang related.

Chicago Police Department

Vallas: Chicago needs federal intervention, but not National Guard

Chicago retirement fund for first responders at greater risk

Chicago alderman’s $120K pension shows why city fund is broken

Chicago homicides lowest in decade, but so is arrest rate

Vallas: It was a bad weekend, but Chicago’s violent crime rate falling

Chicago aggravated batteries hit 5-year high; 3 in 5 victims are Black

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

Chicago violent crime trends up as arrests trend down

How many gang crimes occurred in your Chicago neighborhood?

4,098 Chicagoans killed in gang crime in 20 years

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students