Policing in the City of Chicago
There has been a greater need for police within the city of Chicago, as crime rates continue to increase. However, there is a budget limit that has been set by the city and it is a budget that should not be surpassed. The city is spending more than ever on the police. However, crime is on the rise and many residents say they feel unsafe.
Additionally, there has been a decrease in police being sworn in, and that has brought major issues as well for those already sworn in. This means that there will be more overtime requested by those officers, and they will have to be compensated for it. This budget may need a dramatic increase if this will continue to be the case in Chicago and in Illinois.
Overtime Budget Passed from 2022 to 2023
There has been a dramatic increase in overtime hours that have been added for officers in Chicago. This has then prompted a need for new officers to be sworn into the force. However, it seems that if nothing is done now, the amount of money spent on overtime will reach an all-time high.
Moreover, the city has spent $126.5 million on overtime for members of the Chicago Police Department during the first six months of 2023. That’s nearly 50% more than during the same period last year, according to records obtained by WTTW News. This is mainly because of all the large gatherings and events that have been taking place in Chicago. A recent example of this is the NASCAR street race that took place in Grant Park.
As aforementioned, due to the lack of officers that are being sworn in, these officers are being called in on their days off, and that counts for overtime. It can clearly be seen that there needs to be a dramatic influx of new officers, but it seems criteria are not being met at this moment.
Claims That Funding Has Been Decreasing
Many claims have been made that CPD is not being funded well enough. However, that is not the case. Over the last three years, state police funding is up 15%; CPD funding is up by 11%; Aurora police funding is up 17% and Joliet police funding rose 2%, according to the Illinois Answers Project.
Therefore, there is a clear increase in funding for the police. However, these budget increases are partially due to lower spending during the peak COVID-19 years.
The pandemic lowered the budget as there were very few large events being organized. This also reduced the amount of policing that was needed within Chicago. Now, it is starting to become a problem, as there may be a budget increase in the near future.
The Future of Policing Within Chicago
It is very difficult to say what exactly the outcome of this particular spending issue will be in Chicago. However, it can be said with certainty that there are many residents that are feeling very unsafe in Chicago, or even going outside of their own homes.
Therefore, in the near future, something must be done to bring in more police officers in Chicago. If not done, crime rates will continue to increase. This will then prompt many businesses and families to continue moving out of Chicago. This is the last thing Chicago needs, and there needs to be immediate action taken regarding this issue.
Written by David Loran Jr.
Sources:
Bloomberg: Chicago Crime Defines Mayor’s Race as Spending, Lawbreaking Surge
Illinois Answers Projects: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Claims That Illinois and Chicago Cut Police Spending Are False
WTTW News: Chicago Spent $126.5M on Police Overtime in 6 Months, an Almost 50% Jump Over Last Year: Records
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of ajay_suresh’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Sean Marshall’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
