Vallas: Chicago has a new police chief, what’s his plan to fix the city’s crime problem?

By Paul Vallas

08/18/2023

Larry Snelling, formerly the Chicago Police Department’s counterterrorism bureau chief, was selected Aug. 13 to become CPD’s next superintendent. Now, the city needs clarity on his plans to address Chicago’s crime problems.

TAGS: CPD: Chicago Police Department, crime

Vallas: Youth crime is on the rise in Chicago – and CTU’s school closures may be to blame for the trend

By Paul Vallas

08/14/2023

Rising crime in Chicago is being driven by an increase in youth crime – as a result of the Chicago Teachers Union’s policies and agenda, which undermine police and public safety.

TAGS: crime, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago gun violence by neighborhood: South, West sides remain most dangerous

By Patrick Andriesen

08/10/2023

Chicago Police Department reports show shootings in 2022 were 32% higher than 2019. Shootings in the Loop tripled during that time.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Vallas: Chicago Police overtime cost $126M, plus cost of burn-out

By Paul Vallas

07/27/2023

One way to “defund the police” is by not hiring officers – a strategy supported by many in Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s camp. The problem is, failing to hire more officers is backfiring. It leads to higher costs, some of which are very hard to count but easy to see.

What to expect when cash bail ends in Illinois

By Joe Tabor

07/27/2023

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled ending cash bail is constitutional. What does that mean for Illinois? It means ready or not, the system changes Sept. 18.

TAGS: cash bail

Vallas: A real strategy for containing out-of-control violence in Chicago

By Paul Vallas

07/17/2023

Chicago can’t afford to wait on immediate crime reduction efforts – the city needs a plan. Unfortunately, no concrete details have emerged on how the new administration plans to address public safety, the No. 1 issue on Chicagoans’ minds. Here are nine steps Chicago officials could take to begin curbing crime today.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Vallas: Here’s where Chicago Board of Education should put its focus

By Paul Vallas

07/17/2023

Mayoral appointments to the city’s school board tell the public a lot about that mayor’s philosophy. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to who Mayor Brandon Johnson is appointing. It’s also important to understand what options should be on the table when it comes to fixing the failing Chicago Public Schools system.

TAGS: Chicago Board of Education, school choice, teachers union

Chicago households making $100K targeted by Brandon Johnson allies

By Bryce Hill, Justin Carlson

06/06/2023

An ominously titled document by close confidants of new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson states the new administration’s top priority is to take more money from households making $100,000 or more to fund what they claim is a “just Chicago.”

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Brandon Johnson issues 4 executive orders on 1st day in office

By Dylan Sharkey

05/17/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is starting his administration with four executive orders, expanding youth employment and adding three new deputy mayors for immigration, labor and community safety.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Johnson campaign up to $5.6M from teachers unions after another big donation

By Mailee Smith

03/29/2023

Teachers unions have already bankrolled most of Brandon Johnson’s campaign for Chicago mayor, and the American Federation of Teachers just directed another $500,000 to his war chest.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Police Department

Vallas: Chicago has a new police chief, what’s his plan to fix the city’s crime problem?

Vallas: Youth crime is on the rise in Chicago – and CTU’s school closures may be to blame for the trend

Chicago gun violence by neighborhood: South, West sides remain most dangerous

Vallas: Chicago Police overtime cost $126M, plus cost of burn-out

What to expect when cash bail ends in Illinois

Vallas: A real strategy for containing out-of-control violence in Chicago

Vallas: Here’s where Chicago Board of Education should put its focus

Chicago households making $100K targeted by Brandon Johnson allies

Brandon Johnson issues 4 executive orders on 1st day in office

Johnson campaign up to $5.6M from teachers unions after another big donation

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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