HOMER GLEN, IL…. In an effort to slash Chicago’s nearly $1 billion 2025 budget deficit, Mayor Brandon Johnson is putting all Chicago Police Department recruit classes on hold for at least the next two months despite promising to exempt police and fire departments from the city’s hiring freeze. On Tuesday, the city’s Chief Operating Officer, John Roberson, went further, directing department heads to find an additional $75 million in budget cuts by Friday. Some, including 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins, believe the Mayor may be using budget cuts to convince the City Council to approve a property tax increase.
“Quite frankly, I am stunned by Mayor Johnson’s decision to cancel academy classes and cut funding for the Chicago Police Department’s budget, especially during a time when crime is so high in the city,” said State Representative Patrick Sheehan (R-Lockport), who is also a police officer. “I recognize that Chicago continues to grapple with poor budgeting. However, choosing to defund the police while managing to spend tens of millions of dollars on migrants, for example, shows what little regard the city has for public safety. Our local leaders have to address issues like this with nuanced solutions, not by kicking cans down the road.”
Representative Sheehan noted that Chicago is struggling to maintain its police force and cited the potential layoffs as a step in the wrong direction.
“Chicago is already in a law enforcement shortage due to poor funding, recruiting challenges, and the revolving door criminal justice system that has come about because of cashless bail,” said Rep. Sheehan. “As a police officer, I am fully aware of the consequences an understaffed police department can have on a community’s ability to deal with crime. Halting the training of recruits will diminish Chicago’s law enforcement capacity and drive aspiring officers to take up opportunities in other states. We owe it to Illinois residents and those who put their lives on the line each day to have adequate means of keeping our communities safe.”
“I strongly encourage Mayor Johnson to reconsider his decision and to uphold his promise to exempt public safety agencies from Chicago’s hiring freeze,” said Sheehan. “If the wellbeing of law-abiding Illinoisans is truly a foremost priority of our state’s local governments, then it is irresponsible to use our law enforcement agencies as a political bargaining chip. Having properly staffed police departments is non-negotiable.”
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State Representative Patrick Sheehan represents the 37th District which includes portions of Will and Suburban Cook Counties. For more information, please visit RepSheehan.com or contact Rep. Sheehan’s district office at 708-694-2032