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  • Chicago-area protesters demonstrate ahead of expected surge in ICE operations, new details revealed

    CHICAGO (WLS) — Protesters demonstrated across the Chicago area Friday ahead of an expected surge in ICE operations this weekend.

    Crews have put up fencing around Dirksen Federal Courthouse in downtown Chicago. The expected increase in immigration enforcement could come as soon as Saturday.

    Naval Station Great Lakes will serve as the logistical hub for some 300 federal agents each day carrying out operations in Chicago.

    ABC7 saw no sign of ramped up activity Friday night at the Broadview ICE facility that’s expected to be used as a processing center, but that could soon change Saturday.

    ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

    With the Trump administration providing few details about ICE operations that could begin this weekend, Illinois U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin and Congressman Brad Schneider went to the Navy for answers.

    “What we learned today was there are limitations to the relationship between the Department of Homeland Security and the Navy,” Durbin said.

    Those elected officials cited the admiral-in-charge at Naval Station Great Lakes, where federal agents plan to stage, say ICE and DHS on August 14 requested office space and parking at the base, from September 5 to October 5. The Navy agreed, but will not provide barracks or housing and won’t allow federal agents to have lethal munitions on the base.

    “The security of our nation depends on the mission of Naval Station Great Lakes, and we need to make sure that what DHS does… does not get in the way of that mission,” Rep. Schneider said.

    Durbin, Duckworth, and Schneider say they tried to meet with DHS officials on the base to no avail.

    “DHS refused to meet with us,” Duckworth said. “They actually gave everybody the day off, and they left the facility, and they locked the doors. This is not the action of somebody that is proud of what they’re doing.”

    President Donald Trump is defending is the stepped-up enforcement plans.

    “We know exactly who we’re looking for,” Trump said. “We had 11,000 murderers dropped in our country. We’ve gotten a lot of them out.”

    Protesters descended on an ICE processing facility in Broadview Friday, demonstrating against the planned use of the location as the main processing hub for those detained by ICE as a part of their upcoming operation.

    It was a small victory for protestors demonstrating outside the facility as they forced a vehicle trying to enter to leave by blocking the entrance to the Beach Street location and refused to move. With signs in hand and chanting, it’s just one-way supporters of immigrant rights rallied Friday morning to disrupt operations at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

    “When Donald Trump runs out of other people to blame, when our state our city, our federal government run out of non-white people non-privileged people to point the finger at, they will come for you as well,” protest organizer Rachel Cohen said.

    Officials with the village, which is predominantly Black and Latino, boarded up the building’s windows in advance of Friday’s protest after federal authorities informed them the facility would serve as a primary processing location, open seven days a week for the next month-and-a-half.

    Two transport vans were seen leaving the center before daybreak. Border czar Tom Homan says it’s a part of the president’s immigration enforcement crackdown.

    “The president said weeks ago, I said weeks ago that with sanctuary cities, how are we going to address it?” border czar Tom Homan said. “We are going to flood the zone.”

    Protesters said detainees being processed for transfer are usually held at the facility for no more than a day. But that changed under the Trump administration, with people being held for extended periods in inhumane conditions.

    “They’re a great risk of illness injury death losing their livelihood they’re losing their families,” a protester named Jennifer said.

    Activists vowed to keep Friday’s protests peaceful as not to give President Trump any excuse to deploy the National Guard to Chicago.

    RELATED | How could President Trump use the National Guard in Chicago?

    There were no arrests at the protests. There have been protests at the facility before and demonstrators want it to be closed.

    There was also pushback from neighboring suburbs near Naval Station Great Lakes Friday morning, before missions even begin.

    Demonstrators gathered on overpasses by I-94 in Wilmette and Evanston, holding up signs and flags calling out ICE’s bolstered presence in the area. Some cars driving under the overpass or by the demonstrators could be heard honking in support. Organizers said they plan to be out demonstrating on the overpass throughout September during rush hour in the morning and afternoon.

    David Borris with North Shore Says No said the Trump administration has gone too far.

    “When they see us up on these overpasses they know they are not alone and they can get out and organize,” Borris said. “It’s neighbor to neighbor, it’s over the backyard fence. It’s what built this country.”

    Meanwhile, Illinois Republican chair Kathy Salvi is welcoming the federal support and says Trump is following through on his campaign promises.

    “Well within the bounds of law, I think that what American citizens want, what Americans want is crime to be reduced,” Salvi said. “They want to have safe neighborhoods, safe communities, and certainly those people visiting our beautiful city in Chicago deserve to have a beautiful, safe journey to Chicago, and that hasn’t been the case under the leadership of this mayor and this governor, within the bounds of the law.”

    Broadview’s mayor said she has been told the facility is expected to be used seven days a week for perhaps the next month and a half.

    Chicago communities are expressing their fears ahead of an expected surge in federal immigration enforcement this weekend.

    There is ongoing fear of ICE enforcement in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. Community leaders are urging residents to make a plan, but at the same time keep living their lives by going to work or sending their kids to school. The hope there is to continue with as much normalcy as possible.

    “I think going to school, having lunch, being able to still participate in programs and sports and try to go as business as usual to help you stay focused and not be distracted,” said Ismael Dominguez, Enlace Chicago resource coordinator.

    Dominguez is working inside Little Village High School to let students know their rights and calm their fears.

    “I still believe, honestly, that schools are the safest basis for our kids,” said Angel Gutierrez, Enlace deputy director and school board member.

    Gutierrez says his organization is encouraging families to stay calm and develop an emergency plan.

    “Make sure everyone in your family knows where you’re going and if you’re going to go to store, let them know what store,” Gutierrez said.

    The Resurection Project’s Erendira Rendon will be tracking the patterns of ICE. She reminds people federal agents must have a federal warrant to enter any private place. Rendon is also fearful as she is a DACA recipient.

    “I feel a little bit more protected in terms of deportations, but I’m also very aware that I could get swooped up, and so I’m taking my precautions and probably not attending many festivities,” Rendon said.

    One festivity that is going on as planned is Little Village’s 54th annual Mexican Independence Day Parade, one of the largest in country.

    The Mexican Independence Parade will kick off on Sept 14 at noon along 26th street. Organizers are urging Chicagoans of all ethnicities to come celebrate.

    Concerns about an increase in ICE activity caused the postponement of Chicago’s El Grito Festival. The festival in Grant Park is meant to celebrate Mexico’s Independence. The postponement was announced after organizers got a call from Governor Pritzker.

    The festival also put out a statement, calling the postponement “a painful decision, but holding El Grito at this time puts the safety of our community at stake – and that’s a risk we are unwilling to take.”

    Chicago police said “regular days off will be cancelled and tour of duty extensions will be implemented for sworn members” from Sept. 12 through Sept. 16.

    In preparation for increased federal immigration enforcement, the city of Chicago has an updated website and information hub led by the Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights (IMRR). It will highlight services and protections for the city’s immigrant and refugee communities.

    In the suburbs, Wauconda is canceling its Latin Heritage Fest. Organizers say they know how meaningful the event is for the community, but safety needs to come first.

    Aurora’s Fiestas Patrias is still on for this weekend. The city’s special events team says it is working closely with public safety departments to make sure it is safe for everyone.

    Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

    Christian Piekos

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  • Expanded ICE operations in Chicago expected to start this weekend, Governor Pritzker says

    CHICAGO (WLS) — The countdown is on to a surge in immigration enforcement in the Chicago area.

    Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said he was told ICE operations will ramp up Saturday, but it may be possible they could begin as early as Friday.

    Meanwhile, a Mexican Independence Day celebration scheduled in Chicago has now been postponed.

    As anticipation continues for federal intervention in Chicago, there is also mixed reaction about a possible National Guard deployment.

    ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

    Temporary fencing will be installed near the Everett McKinley Dirksen Courthouse to help those who need to access the courthouse to do so safely, the ABC7 Chicago I-Team learned Thursday.

    Those subject to deportation proceedings will not be brought before a judge in the Northern District of Illinois because those proceedings are administrative proceedings and not judicial proceedings.

    “Providing access to justice is at the heart of the Court’s mission and critical for our democracy. The United States Marshals Service is responsible for safety at the Dirksen Courthouse and will work to ensure the safety and security of those who seek assistance from the Court. Maintaining access to the courthouse for anyone who seeks redress remains a top priority of the court. It is a core principle to promote our rule of law,” Chief Judge Virginia Kendall said.

    El Grito Chicago organizers announced Thursday that the planned second annual two-day festival Grant Park September 13 and 14 has been postponed indefinitely.

    “After careful consideration and at the recommendation of State of Illinois and City of Chicago officials, organizers have decided to postpone El Grito Chicago due to possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity and a potential National Guard deployment,” organizers said in a statement. “Given the festival’s location in downtown Chicago, organizers recognize that the festival is a more visible target and have determined that keeping the community safe must be the top priority.”

    Chicago police said “regular days off will be cancelled and tour of duty extensions will be implemented for sworn members” from Sept. 12 through Sept. 16.

    “These day off cancellations were also implemented in 2023 and 2024 during Mexican Independence Day celebrations and are not related to any federal deployments,” a CPD spokesperson said.

    Despite the postponement of El Grito, organizers for the 54th Annual Mexican Independence Day Parade on 26th Street said the event is still going to happen Sunday, September 14.

    “With information currently in flux, we are actively working with our elected officials and community partners to determine the best next steps that will ensure our community’s safety while honoring our cherished traditions,” Jennifer Aguilar, Executive Director of LVCC, said in a statement. “The Little Village Chamber of Commerce is fully committed to upholding our 54-year tradition of celebrating Mexican Independence Day and supporting our local business community. We will provide further updates as we work through these considerations with all of the stakeholders involved.”

    READ ALSO | Pilsen Mexican Independence Day parade announced despite immigration crackdown

    The impact of hundreds of federal immigration agents arriving in Chicago is reaching far beyond the city.

    “When there is a high level of ICE activity, people stop going to work,” Mano A Mano executive director Dulce Ortiz said. “People stop sending their children to school. We don’t want that to happen. At the same time, we understand there is fear.”

    Ortiz the executive director of Mano A Mano and Board President of Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights laying out how many in Lake County are feeling right now just days before reported immigrant enforcement operations are set to begin.

    “Yes, there may be hundreds of agents deployed in our area, but there are thousands of people working to make sure our community members our protected,” Ortiz said.

    RELATED | How could President Trump use the National Guard in Chicago?

    Gov. Pritzker says expanded ICE operations will start on Saturday, just as Mexican Independence Day celebrations begin. He also suggested the operation could begin as early as Friday.

    “We believe they are going to be fully assembled by tomorrow and can begin operations after that. We’ve heard that could begin Saturday morning, but it’s possible I suppose they could begin tomorrow,” Pritzker said.

    Both Waukegan and North Chicago have canceled festivities in light of the recent federal activity.

    North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. said offices are set up at Naval Station Great Lakes for the some 300 immigration agents, who are supposed to deploy to Chicago each day.

    “That doesn’t make Lake County feel safe knowing that they are here,” Mayor Rockingham said. “Why wouldn’t they at some point be deployed to Lake County? We have Round Lake, have Mundelein, we have other areas that have heavy Latino populations; so, I think all of Lake County should be concerned.”

    West suburban Broadview is boarding up a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center there that the mayor says will be used as the primary processing center for at least the next 45 days.

    In a statement to community members, Broadview’s Mayor Katrina Thompson writes, “As your Mayor, I want to assure you that the Village is actively monitoring the situation and responding with urgency. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. Our priority is to maintain transparency, protect the interests of our residents, and ensure the vitality of our business community.”

    Broadview Village Administrator LeTisa L. Jones said in a statement, “The Village of Broadview is coordinating with our neighboring law enforcement partners, the Illinois State Police, and the Cook County Sheriff’s Police to ensure safety and order are maintained in our community as ICE’s operations unfold. Additionally, because Broadview respects the rule of law, we will defend the constitutionally protected right to peaceful protest and will accept no interference with that right. Simultaneously, we will reject any illegal behavior that puts Broadview police officers’ safety or the safety of local businesses and residents at risk.”

    Trump Administration Border Czar Tom Homan says the imminent immigration mission in Chicago should come as no surprise.

    “We are going to flood the zone,” Homan said. “We’ve got 10,000 more agents coming on. We’re going to flood the zone. We don’t have a problem in Florida or Texas. So, where are we going to send our additional resources? To sanctuary cities. Why? Because we know there is a problem there.”

    In preparation for increased federal immigration enforcement, the city of Chicago has an updated website and information hub led by the Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights (IMRR). It will highlight services and protections for the city’s immigrant and refugee communities.

    Beatriz Ponce de Leon, from the city’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights joins ABC7 Thursday.

    Pritzker made it clear there is nothing the state can do as these operations get underway in just a few days.

    “We cannot stand in the way,” Pritzker said. “It’s not like we’re going to have armed men standing in between. That’s not something that’s legal. That’s not something that the state of Illinois can engage in, or the city of Chicago can engage in.”

    Chicago area Latino leaders respond to expected ICE surge

    The looming ICE operations have sparked fear.

    The organizers of the Fiestas Patrias Parade and Festival in north suburban Waukegan said their event is being postponed.

    The nearly 30-year old event, which is the largest of its kind in the state, was set for Sept. 14, but has now been rescheduled for November.

    Meanwhile, community violence intervention volunteers are helping to train neighborhood residents and others who plan on pushing back against the Trump administration by peacefully protesting.

    “Our objective is not to frighten the community, but to let them know what’s the real deal, what’s the reality. They are here,” said Margaret Carrasco, Fiestas Patrias Parade and Festival organizer. “We do have 50,000 people that come out to our parades, and our number one priority is the safety of our residents, and we just had to make that call.”

    Groups debate possible National Guard deployment in Chicago

    It’s still unclear if the National Guard will be deployed to Chicago, but if they are, officials say they would protect federal property like Naval Station Great Lakes.

    As anticipation continues for federal intervention in Chicago, there is also mixed reaction about a possible National Guard deployment.

    The plan to have National Guard troops in Chicago is getting the attention of some concerned about violence. In Englewood Thursday, some gathered in response to the National Guard coming to Chicago.

    “If you want to truly invest in the work we are doing invest in boots on the ground the people that’s rooted from the community the people that understand the community,” said Joshua Coakley with Target Area, Community Violence Intervention.

    Those gathered at Ryan Harris Park acknowledged there is a problem with violence in Chicago, but they say the solution will come from investing in people locally with job training and support for young people.

    “What Chicago needs is not an invasion of the national guard but an investment in schools youth programs and community resources,” said Millie Myers with MGM Enrichment.

    SEE ALSO | Trump calls Chicago ‘a hellhole’ | What to know about crime stats, FBI’s local anti-violence efforts

    “President Trump, if you are serious, send in the national guard of economic prosperity, send in the people that can actually change poor people into wealthy people,” 16th District Illinois Senator Willie Preston said.

    ABC7 met Danielle Carter-Walters with Chicago Flips Red in another South Side neighborhood, and she has a different view.

    “I believe if we have some type of presence here that will at least stop the criminals and deter them from victimizing us,” she said.

    Carter-Walters grew up in South Shore, and she shared that she has lost loved ones to gun violence. She is the Vice President of Chicago Flips Red.

    “We have to do something about it because we are losing loved ones in masses and at some point we have to say it’s just not safe in the city for nobody,” Carter-Walters said.

    Chicago Flips Red describes themselves as a grassroots organization of individuals frustrated with the status quo. They gathered outside of Trump Tower downtown on Thursday to share information and register voters.

    CTU says Chicago Public Schools should offer remote learning

    Chicago Teachers Union says Chicago Public Schools should consider offering remote learning for concerned families amid possible federal operations.

    CTU President Stacey Davis Gates joined teachers and parents to outline a plan to protect the school community.

    On Friday, CTU will host a “Sidewalk Solidarity Walk-ins” at schools across the city.

    Members plan to distribute “Defend Your Rights” flyers to community members, particularly in Black and immigrant communities.

    CPS has not responded to ABC7’s request for a comment.

    Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

    Christian Piekos

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  • Chicago shootings: At least 43 shot, 7 fatally, in Labor Day weekend gun violence, police say

    CHICAGO (WLS) — At least 43 people have been shot, seven fatally, in shootings across Chicago so far this Labor Day weekend, police said.

    The weekend gun violence comes as the Trump administration prepares to potentially deploy the National Guard to the Chicago area.

    Summer 2025 violence: Tracking shootings across Chicago | Live updates

    A woman was shot and killed in a South Shore apartment on Friday night.

    The shooting happened at about 11:56 p.m. in the 7700-block of S. Essex Avenue, according to police.

    Police found two women with gunshot wounds inside the apartment.

    A 25-year-old woman was shot twice to the abdomen, and once to the left leg. Police said she was taken to University of Chicago Hospital where she died.

    READ MORE | Woman killed, other hurt in South Shore apartment shooting, police say

    A deadly shooting investigation is underway in East Garfield Park on Saturday, Chicago police said.

    The shooting happened at about 11:01 a.m. in the 500-block of North Sawyer, police said.

    Police said two men, 29 and 32, were standing outside when a dark SUV pulled up.

    A suspect got out of the SUV and started shooting in their direction, Chicago police said

    The 29-year-old male was shot multiple times; he was taken Mt. Sinai Hospital where he died.

    READ MORE | Man killed in East Garfield Park shooting, Chicago police say

    A woman was shot to death in the Altgeld Gardens neighborhood on Saturday evening, police said.

    The shooting happened at about 7:46 p.m. in the 900-block of E. 131st Street, police said.

    A 43-year-old woman was approached by five male suspects and they started to shoot at her, police said.

    She was taken to an area hospital with multiple gunshot wounds, where she died.

    Nobody is in custody.

    READ MORE | Woman killed after being approached by 5 armed suspects, Chicago police say

    On Sunday, a 33-year-old man was shot to death during an argument in Englewood, police said.

    The shooting happened at about 2:52 a.m. in the 6300-block of S. Elizabeth Street.

    The man was shot in the head and died at the scene, police said. Nobody is in custody.

    Chicago police are also investigating two separate drive-by shootings.

    In Bronzeville, at least seven people were shot at about 11:10 p.m. on Saturday in the 3500-block of S. State Street, police said.

    All victims were taken to area hospitals and are expected to be OK.

    In Humboldt Park, at least four people were shot at about 1:11 a.m. on Sunday in the 2700-block of W. Haddon Avenue, police said.

    A man was killed in a triple shooting on Sunday, Chicago police said.

    The shooting happened at about 1:39 a.m. in the 1900 block of W. 17th Street.

    Police said three men, aged 41, 43 and 46, were outside when a male suspect approached and started shooting.

    All three were taken to an area hospital.

    The 46-year-old man was shot multiple times, police said he died at the hospital.

    The other two were shot in the legs and are expected to be OK.

    A teenage boy was shot on the city’s West Side on Sunday afternoon, Chicago police said.

    Police said the shooting happened in the Lawndale neighborhood’s 1500-block of South Christiana Avenue just after 5 p.m.

    A 14-year-old boy was near the sidewalk when someone approached him, took out a gun and fired shots, police said.

    The victim, shot in the arm and hand, went to St. Anthony Hospital in good condition.

    There is no one in custody, and area detectives are investigating.

    Police did not immediately provide further information about the shooting.

    INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood

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  • CEO of company overseeing ShotSpotter sits down with ABC7 as clock ticks down on Chicago contract

    CEO of company overseeing ShotSpotter sits down with ABC7 as clock ticks down on Chicago contract

    CHICAGO (WLS) — It is designed to trigger a near-instantaneous warning to police without a 911 call.

    ShotSpotter, the gunshot detection technology, has monitored Chicago neighborhoods for more than six years at a cost of tens of millions of dollars.

    ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

    But is it working? Is it making the streets safer?

    It is a high-stakes debate that will come before the Chicago City Council’s public safety committee on Monday morning.

    ABC7 sat down with the CEO of the company that oversees ShotSpotter as the clock ticks down on Chicago’s short-term contract extension that is set to expire two weeks from Sunday night.

    “I canceled ShotSpotter. It’s canceled!” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said.

    That was the shot across the bow, a doubling-down in May on a campaign commitment by Johnson to do away with the city’s gunshot detection system known as ShotSpotter.

    READ MORE | ShotSpotter Chicago: How police use high-tech equipment to fight crime

    Keeping that campaign promise, the mayor abruptly ended the six-year, multimillion dollar contract in February.

    The unilateral move triggered a months-long political power struggle in city council chambers, through the ranks of the police department and deep into Chicago’s most violent neighborhoods.

    “I’m for technology that’s going to help us get to a location quicker and help us save lives,” said Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling.

    Under pressure from city council members, Johnson agreed to a six-month, $8.6 million extension to keep the technology in place through the city’s historically violent summer months and the Democratic National Convention.

    That extension cost more than the city paid for ShotSpotter for all of 2023.

    SEE ALSO | Chicago police supt. defends ShotSpotter, says communication with mayor ‘could have been better’

    At ShotSpotter’s Northern California headquarters, ABC7 sat down for an exclusive interview with Ralph Clark, CEO of SoundThinking, the company that runs ShotSpotter.

    “It’s critically important that folks understand that 80% to 90% of criminal gunfire doesn’t generate a 911 call,” Clark said.

    This was days after the violent July Fourth weekend.

    “When you look at 109 people shot in one weekend, nearly 500 ShotSpotter alerts, is ShotSpotter really being an effective tool in cutting down on gun violence if it’s that rampant?” asked ABC7 Reporter Liz Nagy.

    “The purpose and design of ShotSpotter is to aid and facilitate the fast and precise response of first responders and police to the scene of gunshot wound victims,” Clark said.

    Following a torrent of historically violent years, Chicago contracted with ShotSpotter in 2018, signing a three-year $33 million deal.

    The audio gunshot detection system is meant to instantly alert police to gunfire without a person having to dial 911.

    READ MORE | ShotSpotter supporters push to keep technology in Chicago after Democratic National Convention

    In March 2021, Chicago police responded to an alley in Little Village, alerted by ShotSpotter.

    There, a teenage boy with a gun ran from police, dropping the weapon a split second before he turned toward the officer. The officer shot and killed 13-year-old Adam Toledo.

    The shooting led to Johnson’s future campaign promise to do away with ShotSpotter.

    Inside ShotSpotter’s incident review center in California, the sound of gunfire is constant.

    A team of analysts rely on a network of acoustic sensors attached to city streetlights and buildings on both public and private properties.

    “A gunshot can only fly in one direction, so we’re looking for a directional sensor pattern,” one employee said.

    Thousands of sensors hang over 100 square miles of Chicago neighborhoods, largely monitoring the streets of the South and West sides.

    SEE ALSO | Former Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson says city should keep ShotSpotter

    “A disproportionate number of your transmitters are placed in low-income, Black and Brown, non-white, very poor communities. You don’t decide that?” Nagy asked.

    “We’re placed where 85% of gun violence victimization takes place. That happens to also be at-risk, underserved communities that are often of color,” Clark responded.

    Days before Johnson abruptly canceled the city’s contract in February, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office released its report on ShotSpotter, finding the technology ineffective and failing to make an impact on arresting shooters.

    The ABC7 I-Team has been reporting on the efficacy of ShotSpotter for years.

    READ MORE | ShotSpotter contract to end nearly 3 years after I-Team raised doubts about effectiveness, value

    Our most recent analysis of Chicago Police Department data from January 2018 through March 2024 shows the average response time of officers to the scene of a gun crime, alerted by ShotSpotter, is eight minutes and six seconds.

    With just a 911 call, and no ShotSpotter alert, data shows the response time grows to 10 minutes and 48 seconds.

    “Time literally is tissue. So, getting to these scenes even 60 seconds, 90 seconds, two minutes before a traditional 911 call – that you may or may not get – can make the difference between a life being saved or not being saved,” Clark said.

    New city data shows nearly 145,000 ShotSpotter alerts between January 2021 and July 2024. Just 7.1% found a shooting victim on the other end of that alert.

    Some city council members cite that data as reason enough to get rid of ShotSpotter.

    SEE ALSO | Mayor Johnson, Chicago City Council disagree on who can end use of ShotSpotter technology

    “About 83% to 88% of ShotSpotter alerts turn up nothing. And if I had an oven that didn’t work 88% of the time when I turned it on, I’d be looking for a new oven,” said 1st Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata.

    The contract is set to expire Sept. 22. By then, Chicago taxpayers will have spent a total of $53 million on ShotSpotter.

    In May, the city council voted 34 to 14 in favor of keeping ShotSpotter. Johnson continues to say he is not budging.

    “I think we have to work with the mayor to find a reasonable solution that we can all – we may not be 100% agreeable on – but again, that most of us can find some solution and help the police department do their job,” said 28th Ward Ald. Jason Ervin.

    “Unless you’ve got another tool that says hey give us something else. And the person in charge of keeping them safe is who? The superintendent of police! He says he needs ShotSpotter as a tool, that he wants it. But yet, somebody who is not an expert in safety says, ‘Get rid of it,’” said 17th Ward Ald. David Moore.

    City council members told ABC7 ShotSpotter or not, that money must be spent within Chicago’s $2 billion annual police budget.

    READ MORE | Chicago aldermen question police about controversial ShotSpotter technology

    Now, as the clock ticks down on the city’s remaining days of its contract, SoundThinking is preparing to dismantle its sensors Sept. 23. They will have 60 days to remove the technology entirely.

    Chicago’s contract with SoundThinking has a built-in 60-day transition period.

    The mayor’s office told ABC7 in a statement, again, “During that two-month period, law enforcement and other community safety stakeholders will continue to assess tools and programs that effectively increase both safety and trust, and issue recommendations to that effect.”

    But many city council members are determined to find a way to keep ShotSpotter in place.

    On Monday morning, representatives from SoundThinking and Chicago’s Emergency Management Center will present the latest data, collected since March, on ShotSpotter’s efficacy.

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    Liz Nagy

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