Chicago City Wire

At a press conference on September 17, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson made remarks about law enforcement that have drawn criticism from police representatives and city officials. During the event, Johnson discussed his public safety plan and addressed concerns about crime in the city.

"We’re offering a better pathway so we don’t have 970 people murdered in our city every single year," Johnson said. The figure he cited is higher than recent homicide statistics for Chicago. In 2024, there were 610 homicides in the city, while 2023 saw 650 and 2022 recorded 738 deaths. The number of annual homicides has not exceeded 800 since 2016.

Johnson also commented on opportunities available to residents: “I get so sick and tired of people believing that the only thing that black and brown and poor people get to get in this city are badges,” he said. He added, "People want jobs." According to business licensing data, the number of licensed businesses in Chicago decreased from 46,372 when Johnson took office in 2023 to 44,840 by the end of last year.

Continuing his remarks at the press conference, Johnson stated: "I get so sick and tired of people in the country and in this city that believe that the only thing that you can offer black people and poor people is jails, incarceration, incarceration, and police officers." He further said: "Jails and incarceration and law enforcement is a sickness that has not led to safe communities," concluding with an insistence on plans to "eradicate" it.

The comments prompted a response from Fraternal Order of Police Lodge Seven President John Catanzara. Catanzara criticized Johnson for making such statements while being protected by police officers. Catanzara said police are "protecting [Johnson's home] for him and his family. Yet he calls law enforcement a sickness. What a hypocrite." In additional comments regarding Johnson’s attitude toward police officers, Catanzara remarked: "He has always hated us. He still hates us. He just can’t say what he wants too publicly. But two days ago, the truth came out a little bit because he lost control," adding: "And believe him when he says it, that he believes we are a sickness. That’s just who he is."

Alderman Brendan Reilly (42) also criticized Mayor Johnson's characterization of law enforcement as a “sickness.”

Recent polling data indicate strong support among minority residents for increasing police presence in Chicago; according to an M3 Strategies poll conducted in late August, 86 percent of Black residents surveyed favored hiring more police officers, as did 84 percent of Hispanic respondents.