Chicago City Wire

Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, said that Chicago's surge in violent crime necessitates expanded federal law enforcement support and tougher prosecutions. This statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Chicago once again claims violent crime “bragging rights," said Vallas, Former Chief Executive Officer. "Over Labor Day weekend, 54 people were shot and 7 killed—bringing the city's total to 293 murders, 1,116 wounded, 24 children murdered, 112 children wounded, and 50 mass shootings this year. Behind these numbers lies the deeper tragedy: the West, South, and Southeast sides bear the brunt. What Chicago truly needs is for the White House to expand federal support—deploying the U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals, and DHS to step up arrests and bring federal charges in violent crime and gun cases."

In 2024, Chicago officials enhanced violence reduction efforts by launching "Take Back the Block," a program that combines community outreach and neighborhood deployments with law enforcement while also utilizing federal funding for prevention and enforcement. According to the City of Chicago, city leaders described it as a whole-of-government approach to safety that supplemented police work with services.

Chicago concluded 2024 with declines in key crime categories: homicides decreased by 8% from 2023, shooting incidents fell by 7%, and shooting victims dropped by 4%, reaching multi-year lows. The police also noted steady improvements in case clearances and firearm recovery. These results were detailed in the Chicago Police Department’s "2024 in Review."

According to the Council on Criminal Justice, compared to other U.S. cities, Chicago's decline in violent crime during 2024 reflected a national trend, with homicides across 38 major cities down 16% from the previous year. Many urban centers, including Chicago, saw rates return close to pre-pandemic levels after peaking in 2021.

Vallas is a Democratic education leader who served as CEO of Chicago Public Schools from 1995 to 2001 before taking leadership roles in Philadelphia and post-Katrina New Orleans schools. He was the Democratic nominee for Illinois lieutenant governor in 2014 and advanced to the 2023 Chicago mayoral runoff, where his campaign focused on public safety. His career in fiscal management and reform is documented by Ballotpedia.

Chicago Public Schools is the third-largest district in the United States, serving approximately 325,000 students across more than 600 schools. It is governed by the Chicago Board of Education, which oversees policies, budgets, and accountability. According to Chicago Public Schools, most of its students are economically disadvantaged, with significant English-learner populations.