Chicago City Wire

Jim Viola, chairman of the board for the Italian American Police Association of Illinois, expressed concerns over the policies of Chicago's mayor and Illinois' governor, stating that they undermine law enforcement. He vowed to support police and policy changes if elected.

"The decarcerationist, anti-police policies and rhetoric of Mayor Johnson and Gov. Pritzker continue to put Illinois law enforcement in harm's way and damage morale," said Viola. "As governor, I will fully support law enforcement and work to remove the policies that prevent them from doing their jobs properly."

According to a March 11, 2025 Wirepoints survey analyzing homicide data across America's 75 largest cities, Chicago once again led the nation in total murders for 2024. St. Louis posted the highest per-capita rate. The analysis utilized year-end police compstat reports and other official tallies, highlighting overall national declines since pandemic peaks but noting smaller drops in Chicago and New York. These findings contribute to ongoing debates about crime trends and public safety policy in Illinois' largest city.

Wirepoints reported 573 murders in Chicago in 2024, marking the 13th consecutive year the city recorded the nation's highest total among major U.S. cities. The report calculated Chicago's homicide rate at 21.5 per 100,000—approximately three times Los Angeles' rate and nearly five times New York City's—with Chicago missing larger declines seen elsewhere. These figures were compiled from police reports and city data aggregated by Wirepoints.

Per capita, St. Louis led large cities with 52.9 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2024, followed by Memphis at 38.0; Chicago's per-capita rate ranked first among the biggest cities tracked by Wirepoints at 21.5. Year over year, Chicago's total fell by 8% from 620 in 2023 to 573 in 2024—a smaller decline than many peers experienced. The survey emphasizes that while totals dipped nationally, improvements varied widely across cities.

Viola serves as chairman of the board for the Italian American Police Association of Illinois, a longstanding fraternal organization based in Chicago. Beyond his association role, he is a nationally recognized aviation leader; in 2025 he became president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association after previously leading Helicopter Association International and serving in senior Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety posts. His career reflects a commitment to public safety and professional standards.