Politics
Chicago town hall weighs proposal for dedicated gun-violence prevention department
Mayor Brandon Johnson and community leaders discussed whether Chicago should create a permanent department to coordinate gun-violence reduction work. The city currently spends about $150 million on those efforts across multiple departments.
CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson joined community leaders on the South Side Saturday morning for a town hall on how the city organizes its gun-violence reduction efforts, including a proposal to create a permanent city department focused on the work.
The gathering was part of a larger event hosted by Live Free Illinois, a social justice organization. Aldermen were invited to share their positions on establishing the department. The event account did not specify which aldermen attended or what positions they took.
Supporters say a dedicated department could bring prevention programs spread across city agencies into closer coordination and make officials more accountable for results. Chicago currently spends about $150 million on gun-violence reduction across multiple departments.
Johnson said reducing violence requires partnerships among government and community organizations, including faith leaders and violence-prevention and intervention workers. He emphasized the role of workers who connect with people considered most vulnerable to violence.
The town hall focused on the city’s approach and the proposed administrative structure; no decision to establish a department was announced.