Illinois Quick Hits: Violent Crime down, arrest rates up in Chicago

Illinois Quick Hits: Violent Crime down, arrest rates up in Chicago

February 4, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – New research from the Illinois Policy Institute shows that violent crime declined in nearly 90% of Chicago’s neighborhoods last year.

The report also shows that 71% of the city’s communities reported higher arrest rates for violent crimes.

Following a national trend, the number of violent crimes being committed in Chicago hit a 10-year low in 2025, declining from a peak of nearly 30,000 in 2023 to 22,760 last year.

FUR FARM BILL

State Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, has introduced legislation that would end the establishment of new fur farms in Illinois.

House Bill 4777 would also require existing fur farms to obtain a license from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources by Jan. 1. The Animal Welfare Institute says mink, foxes and other animals on fur farms incubate diseases such as SARS-CoV-2 and H5N1, creating conditions for new variants to jump to humans.

CTU LEADER ON LEAVE

According to a member bulletin from the Chicago Teachers Union, CTU President Stacy Davis Gates is on temporary medical leave.

The bulletin said union vice president Jackson Potter will temporarily lead CTU along with recording secretary Vicki Kurzdlo and financial secretary Diane Castro. Gates is also president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

As Illinois ends grocery tax locals can replace, food inflation debate continues

As Illinois ends grocery tax locals can replace, food inflation debate continues

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman’s warning that Americans are paying more for groceries is drawing pushback from economists...
North Carolina NYE terror attack foiled by FBI, several police departments

North Carolina NYE terror attack foiled by FBI, several police departments

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The FBI and several police departments foiled another New Year’s Eve terror plot, this time in North Carolina, officials announced on Friday. The FBI apprehended...
Chief Lemming

Beecher bids farewell to Chief Lemming following retirement

BEECHER – The Village of Beecher is officially bidding farewell to Police Chief Lemming, who retired effective New Year’s Eve following four and a half years of service to the community....
DeWine defends fraud safeguards at Ohio child care facilities

DeWine defends fraud safeguards at Ohio child care facilities

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is defending the state’s child care spending, saying longtime safeguards are in place that help prevent widespread fraud uncovered in Minnesota....
Illinois quick hits: State keeps more tax revenue, locals get less

Illinois quick hits: State keeps more tax revenue, locals get less

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square State keeps more tax revenue, locals get less Across Illinois, local governments have lost more than $10.9 billion in state income...
beecher illinois public library graphic.1

Beecher Library Board Approves Annual Financial Report and CD Renewal

Beecher Public Library District Meeting | Nov. 2025 Article Summary: The Beecher Public Library District Board of Trustees addressed several key financial matters during its November meeting, including the approval...
U.S. House vote on employee bargaining met with ‘political theater’ criticism

U.S. House vote on employee bargaining met with ‘political theater’ criticism

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square )The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman praised a vote to restore collective bargaining for over one million federal workers...
Hog producer: 2025 was strong, but IL legislature needs to address estate tax

Hog producer: 2025 was strong, but IL legislature needs to address estate tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois hog producer says 2025 was a strong year, but state lawmakers need to address estate...
Trump to remove National Guard members from Chicago, LA, Portland

Trump to remove National Guard members from Chicago, LA, Portland

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – National Guard members deployed in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, Ore., will head home after President Donald...
Illinois’ compact fluorescent bulb ban begins to take effect

Illinois’ compact fluorescent bulb ban begins to take effect

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One of the nearly 300 new laws that took effect in Illinois New Year’s Day is a...
Illinois quick hits: SBA sues Chicago over online betting tax

Illinois quick hits: SBA sues Chicago over online betting tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois to receive rural health-care funding The federal government has awarded Illinois $193.4 million per year for five years to expand...
Illinois Congressman: Millions face higher premiums despite GOP health bill

Illinois Congressman: Millions face higher premiums despite GOP health bill

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although the U.S. House passed Republicans' “Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act” before leaving...
Jan. 1 law lets Illinois veterinarians skip rabies shots for at-risk pets

Jan. 1 law lets Illinois veterinarians skip rabies shots for at-risk pets

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Illinois law taking effect Jan. 1 will let veterinarians renew yearly medical exemptions for...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Homer Glen Landscape Business Granted Extension Due to Utility Delays

Will County Board Meeting | December 18, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved a second extension for a special use permit for a landscaping business in Homer Glen....
Chicago school board raises tax levy on families 'at a breaking point'

Chicago school board raises tax levy on families ‘at a breaking point’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Board of Education has raised its property tax levy to fund Chicago Public Schools, but...