Chicago City Wire

Tom Weitzel, former police chief of the Riverside Police Department, has expressed criticism regarding Illinois' Peacekeepers program. In a press release, he said that the program has not delivered measurable results and argued that its funds should instead support police operations and training.

"Over the years, they have allocated millions of dollars to the peacekeepers program, yet there are no positive outcomes to demonstrate from a data perspective," said Weitzel. "It appears to be another feel-good program, with many participants having prior convictions for violent felonies. The funds spent on the peacekeepers program could be better directed toward police operations, equipment, training, education, and technology. These investments would significantly impact crime reduction, of that I am certain."

Illinois’ Peacekeepers program was launched to curb gun violence through community intervention. However, it has faced controversy after Governor J.B. Pritzker appeared at an anti-violence event with a Peacekeeper who was later accused in a deadly smash-and-grab incident. According to the Wall Street Journal, while state leaders promote the program’s success in reducing shootings, critics argue that this incident highlights oversight and vetting challenges for participants.

A study by Northwestern University found that Chicago neighborhoods where Peacekeepers were deployed experienced a 41% decline in gun violence victimizations between 2023 and 2024 compared with the prior two years. Across all communities covered by Peacekeepers, shootings fell by 31%, and researchers noted extended "peace intervals" between violent incidents, as reported by WTTW.

According to Illinois budget documents and LegiScan, state budget records show that approximately $30 million was allocated for the Peacekeepers program within broader community violence intervention funding for fiscal year 2025. In contrast, appropriations for the Illinois State Police totaled nearly $960 million, covering training, equipment, and operations. This disparity illustrates the much larger scale of direct police funding relative to civilian anti-violence initiatives.

Weitzel served as Chief of Police in Riverside, Illinois from 2008 until his retirement in 2020, concluding a 37-year career in law enforcement. He advanced through ranks from patrol officer to chief and survived a 1987 ambush shooting that shaped his advocacy for officer safety, wellness, and community policing reforms. According to Police1, he continues to serve nationally as an ambassador for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.