Chicago City Wire

Paul Vallas, former CEO of the Chicago Public Schools and author at the Illinois Policy Institute, said that Chicago officials are prioritizing disputes with federal immigration enforcement while overlooking rising child shootings in the city. The statement was made on X.

"As Mayor Johnson, Gov. Pritzker, and their progressive allies fight over media attention for confronting ICE, they are silent about Chicago leading the nation in school-age children shot," said Vallas. "Since the beginning of the year, 27 school-age children age 17 and under have been murdered and 131 have been wounded. One can criticize ICE overreaching tactics and simultaneously rebuke Johnson for refusing to cooperate in the apprehension of real criminals. We can do better!"

According to ABC News, PBS NewsHour, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Chicago's crime policy debate has intensified as Mayor Brandon Johnson reaffirmed that Chicago will not cooperate with federal mass deportations under its "Welcoming City" rules, while pledging to target violent offenders. Governor J.B. Pritzker echoed that Illinois will not support deportation sweeps and instead urged federal aid to address crime and migrant services. Meanwhile, DHS emphasized that immigration enforcement remains focused on public safety threats.

Chicago Police Department data indicate that in 2023 there were 2,450 shooting incidents, 2,880 victims, and 617 homicides, marking the lowest levels since 2019. While these totals include all ages, they provide the official baseline for youth victimization that year, with double-digit declines from 2022. This drop reflects broader trends of returning to pre-pandemic violence levels. The figures were published in CPD’s "2023 in Review" report and covered by WTTW News.

Philadelphia recorded 1,666 shooting victims in 2023, including 161 under age 18, according to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Nationally, Gun Violence Archive data compiled by The Trace reported 6,192 children and teens shot in 2023, with more than 1,600 killed. These figures show that despite declines from pandemic-era peaks, youth shootings remain a major urban crisis across the U.S.

Vallas is a veteran education leader who served as CEO of Chicago Public Schools from 1995 to 2001 before running school systems in Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Bridgeport. He also ran for Chicago mayor in 2023, positioning himself as a fiscal reformer. His career began in Illinois budget offices, establishing his expertise in education and finance.

The Illinois Policy Institute is a Chicago-based think tank advocating free-market reforms, smaller government, and taxpayer rights. Founded in 2002 and relaunched in 2007, it focuses on education, pensions, and budget policy and is affiliated with the State Policy Network. Its mission is to act as "the strongest voice for taxpayers" in Illinois.