The Chicago Contrarian has shared a video on X that appears to show members of the group known as "22 Boys" walking near the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building while displaying firearms with what seem to be extended magazines.
According to the X post by Chicago Contrarian, the video depicts a group identified as "22 Boys" moving past the courthouse while displaying firearms. The post opens with an ironic line, "Your eyes deceive you. Nothing to see here. Chicago doesn’t have a gang problem," suggesting skepticism about the city’s public safety narrative. It concludes with a remark implying the group was headed to one of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s "youth employment gigs," furthering the outlet’s critical tone toward city leadership.
The Illinois Courts directory confirms that the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building is located at 2600 S. California Avenue in Chicago and houses the Criminal and Pretrial Divisions of the Cook County Circuit Court. This information corroborates the location cited in the Chicago Contrarian post, identifying it as a central hub for felony trials and related criminal proceedings.
The Illinois State Police explain that the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA), enacted in 2023, restricts ownership and sale of certain firearms and large-capacity magazines. The law requires registration of affected firearms and accessories, including extended magazines exceeding prescribed capacity limits. These state-level restrictions provide context for why the reference to "extended mags" in the Chicago Contrarian post draws attention to weapons heavily regulated under current Illinois law.
According to its official website, Chicago Contrarian offers commentary and opinion on crime, education, public safety, politics, and culture in Chicago. It presents itself as a platform for independent writers providing contrarian perspectives on municipal governance and urban affairs. Contributors focus on local issues such as law enforcement, media coverage, and city management, sharing their work across social media platforms including X.
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