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

Legislation would limit U.S. military action toward Venezuela

Legislation would limit U.S. military action toward Venezuela

By Shirleen GuerraThe Center Square A new proposal in Congress led by a Virginia U.S. senator aims to prevent the federal government from using taxpayer money for military operations toward...
Fanatics starts sports prediction app, not subject to state taxes, in 24 states

Fanatics starts sports prediction app, not subject to state taxes, in 24 states

By Jon StyfThe Center Square Americans can now wager on sports results through Fanatics Predicts in 24 states that have not allowed legal sports wagering including California, Texas, Georgia, Washington...
Judge dismisses challenge to National Park Service cash policy

Judge dismisses challenge to National Park Service cash policy

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A judge again dismissed a legal challenge to the National Park Service's no-cash policy at about 28 of the federal agency's 433 parks. U.S. District...
Netflix bid for Warner Bros draws antitrust warnings from GOP lawmakers

Netflix bid for Warner Bros draws antitrust warnings from GOP lawmakers

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Netflix’s attempt to buy major assets from Warner Bros Discovery is already facing criticism from Republican lawmakers who say the proposed deal could raise significant...

WATCH: Admiral to tell Congress suspected drug boat still posed threat

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Navy admiral who ordered additional military strikes on a damaged boat with two survivors plans to tell Congress the suspected smugglers planned to...
House committee opens investigation into Minnesota welfare fraud

House committee opens investigation into Minnesota welfare fraud

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Congress has begun an investigation into a large-scale fraud scheme that led to hundreds of millions of dollars being stolen from Minnesota’s social welfare programs...
Colorado receives $420M from feds for high-speed internet

Colorado receives $420M from feds for high-speed internet

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The federal government awarded Colorado nearly $420.6 million for high-speed internet investments throughout the state. The announcement came this week and was applauded by Colorado...
WATCH: U.S. Rep. Miller live; Heated rhetoric in Congress; SNAP, ‘basic income’ debate

WATCH: U.S. Rep. Miller live; Heated rhetoric in Congress; SNAP, ‘basic income’ debate

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks live with...
Illinois quick hits: Layoff announcements; Freedom Caucus criticizes library association

Illinois quick hits: Layoff announcements; Freedom Caucus criticizes library association

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Layoff announcements According to the latest Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notices, 1,138 employees across the state will be...
Two Virginia men arrested in plot to destroy federal databases

Two Virginia men arrested in plot to destroy federal databases

By Shirleen GuerraThe Center Square Two Virginia men were arrested after federal prosecutors said they conspired to destroy government databases and steal U.S. government information while working as federal contractors....
Arrest made in 2021 RNC, DNC pipe bomb case

Arrest made in 2021 RNC, DNC pipe bomb case

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The FBI has reportedly arrested a suspect in relation to pipe bombs planted outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on...
Penny: State revenue, retailers' leverage strategy are in report's thoughts

Penny: State revenue, retailers’ leverage strategy are in report’s thoughts

By David BeasleyThe Center Square State governments are left holding the bag on the U.S. government's halt to the production of a penny, a new report from the National Conference...
Freedom advocates push for Ten Commandments in schools

Freedom advocates push for Ten Commandments in schools

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Legal battles over the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools continue with a new brief filed this week, backed by 46 members of...
Afghan national arrested in Virginia, accused of supporting ISIS

Afghan national arrested in Virginia, accused of supporting ISIS

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square An Afghan national accused of providing support to the Islamic State was arrested Wednesday in Virginia, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Immigration and...
California issues campus guidance on ICE; agency denies raids

California issues campus guidance on ICE; agency denies raids

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square California officials are pushing back against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under new guidance aimed at protecting students on campus, while ICE insists it does...