Violent crime is killing the Chicago we love
We are organizing concerned residents to educate their neighbors, improve public policy at the local level, and make our neighborhoods safer. Are you in?
The Crisis by the Numbers
Chicago's public safety challenges aren't just headlines. They're measurable, devastating, and persistent. Here is the data behind the city's ongoing struggle with violent crime.
Chicago is the worst of the worst
Chicago's murder rate per capita in 2024 was three times higher than Los Angeles and nearly five times higher than New York City. Even as other major cities have seen meaningful declines in violent crime, Chicago continues to stand apart for all the wrong reasons.
Shootings are still a problem
Since 2019, Chicago has averaged over 3,000 shooting victims every single year. That is eight people shot per day, every day, for six straight years. Last year, the year politicians celebrated as a breakthrough, 1,847 people were still shot. That's five people shot every day in a city that's throwing a parade about it.
No neighborhood is immune
Neighborhoods on the West and South Sides bear a disproportionate burden, but crime increasingly spills over into what are normally considered "safe neighborhoods". Armed carjackings more than tripled from 603 in 2019 to nearly 2,000 by 2022, with 76% of those involving a weapon. A new crime, 'bankjacking,' where robbers force victims at gunpoint to drain their own bank accounts through apps like Zelle and Venmo, nearly tripled in just two years, from 110 incidents in 2021 to 271 in 2023.
Thousands of Illegal Firearms are still on the streets
Chicago remains one of the most violent major cities in America. In 2024, the Chicago Police Department recovered 12,733 illegal guns off the streets, an average of nearly 35 guns per day, marking the fourth consecutive year of more than 12,000 firearms recovered. The sheer volume of illegal weapons fuels a cycle of shootings and homicides that shows no sign of slowing.
What's Driving It
Policy Failures
Illinois SAFE-T Act and cashless bail impact
The elimination of cash bail means violent offenders often walk free within hours of arrest. Repeat gun offenders are released pretrial, only to reoffend before ever facing justice.
Cook County State's Attorney charging decisions
Felony charges for violent crimes and gun offenses are routinely reduced or dropped entirely. When prosecutors decline to hold criminals accountable, the deterrent effect of the law collapses.
Reduction of Police Headcount & Morale
Chicago has shed over 1,600 police officers since 2019, not through layoffs, but through city leaders' deliberate failure to replace them. The department has 1,627 fewer officers than it had in January 2019, and city leadership has shown no urgency to close the gap.
We Need Leaders Like You
Neighborhoods like yours don't protect themselves. They're protected by driven residents who show up, speak out, and take action.
Education
Learn how the Cook County State's Attorney, the Chicago Police Department, the courts, and your representatives in Springfield all play a role in public safety policy.
Connection
Connect with a growing network of neighbors who share your concerns and are ready to stand together and demand change.
Action
Get practical tools to participate in police district council and other city government meetings, submit public comments, and hold local officials accountable.
Support
Ongoing help from experienced community advocates who’ve successfully driven change across Chicago and other parts of Illinois.
Are You In?
Submit your information and our team will personally reach out to you.
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