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

Illinois to regulate intoxicating hemp products, loosen up on cannabis

Illinois to regulate intoxicating hemp products, loosen up on cannabis

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Headed to the governor’s desk is legislation that will regulate and restrict some intoxicating hemp products and...
Nevada gubernatorial candidates clash over Trump's policies

Nevada gubernatorial candidates clash over Trump’s policies

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Nevada’s gubernatorial primaries are teasers to a competitive November election that is expected to be decided by narrow margins in the swing state. Gov. Joe...
Feds cut funding for Hawaii Medicaid fraud unit

Feds cut funding for Hawaii Medicaid fraud unit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Federal officials decertified Hawaii's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit on Thursday, citing concerns over a lack of accountability in the program. Every state that administers Medicaid...
Two Democrats, two Republicans seek attorney general seat

Two Democrats, two Republicans seek attorney general seat

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Editor's note: This is part of a series previewing the congressional and statewide races in the Nevada primary election, set for June 9. The election...
Democrats condemn Minnesota GOP convention tribute to Derek Chauvin

Democrats condemn Minnesota GOP convention tribute to Derek Chauvin

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Republicans are facing backlash after delegates at the Minnesota Republican Party's state convention voted to hold a moment of silence for former Minneapolis police officer...
Questions loom after data center legislation stalls

Questions loom after data center legislation stalls

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The speaker of the Illinois House says he thinks state lawmakers will eventually pass data center regulations,...
Feds charge 14 in Ohio fraud schemes, totaling $50M

Feds charge 14 in Ohio fraud schemes, totaling $50M

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Federal prosecutors announced charges against 14 individuals in Ohio on allegations of fraud totaling as much as $50 million. Two state employees were included in...
U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of generic drug patents

U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of generic drug patents

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Thursday, ruled that a cardiovascular drugmaker did not violate America's patent laws. The ruling could allow...
Former HHS secretary tied to company that could benefit from CMS screening proposal

Former HHS secretary tied to company that could benefit from CMS screening proposal

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A proposed federal rule that would expand Medicare coverage for certain colorectal cancer screening tests could benefit a company whose board includes former U.S. Health...
Supreme Court rules against Verizon, AT&T over privacy penalties

Supreme Court rules against Verizon, AT&T over privacy penalties

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision on Thursday, ruled that the Federal Communication Commission did not need to involve a jury in multimillion...
Illinois quick hits: Stop child care scams act clears U.S. House, Illinois U.S. Reps introduce immigrant due process bill

Illinois quick hits: Stop child care scams act clears U.S. House, Illinois U.S. Reps introduce immigrant due process bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Stop child care scams act clears U.S. House The U.S. House of Representatives has passed Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller’s legislation aimed...
Trump to tap Blanche as attorney general

Trump to tap Blanche as attorney general

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After serving as acting attorney general for more than two months, President Donald Trump says he plans to nominate Todd Blanche as attorney general. Trump...
Trump signs executive orders on customs, federal workforce reforms

Trump signs executive orders on customs, federal workforce reforms

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A year and a half and over 260 executive orders into his second term, President Donald Trump signed several more executive orders Wednesday, including one...
McCuskey eyes delay, reversal of furnace, water heater rules

McCuskey eyes delay, reversal of furnace, water heater rules

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey has submitted a formal comment letter to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright urging the...
Pratt, Bass on track to face each other in Nov. 3 mayoral race

Pratt, Bass on track to face each other in Nov. 3 mayoral race

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Center Square) – It continues to appear that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass will be in a Nov. 3 runoff with Spencer Pratt. Bass,...