Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling reaffirmed his commitment to constitutional policing and secured Mayor Brandon Johnson’s reversal of a budget cut that threatened to undermine compliance with a federal consent decree.
Snelling emphasized the importance of officer wellness, citing his own experiences during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest. The Chicago Police Department’s initial budget request included a mental health clinician for each of its 22 districts, but nine of these positions were initially cut under Johnson’s 3% citywide budget reductions. After discussions with the mayor, these positions were reinstated.
Snelling highlighted the critical need for officers to access mental health support, sharing personal experiences of witnessing traumatic events during his career. The consent decree, established following the 2014 police shooting of Laquan McDonald, requires reforms that include prioritizing officer wellness. The Justice Department’s findings had revealed Chicago police faced a suicide rate 60% higher than officers in other cities.
Despite warnings from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul that further budget cuts could lead to contempt of court charges, Johnson has not reversed other significant reductions, such as the elimination of 456 police vacancies. These cuts threaten key areas, including the Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform and the Training and Support Group.
Snelling stressed the need to rebuild trust between police and residents, calling the consent decree a pathway to cultural and operational transformation within the department.
At a City Council meeting, Alderman Marty Quinn underscored the need for a new police station to address staffing challenges in the Southwest Side, warning that inaction would drive residents out of Chicago. Meanwhile, Snelling noted that a workforce allocation study could provide data to support changes in district boundaries and resource distribution.
To address the ongoing manpower shortage, Snelling also discussed reducing the number of officers on medical leave—currently at 910—and tightening oversight of the sick leave system to prevent abuse. He and Alderman Pat Dowell highlighted the need for reforms in the medical section, which is currently understaffed, with just one doctor managing over 1,100 cases across the police and fire departments.
Snelling remains focused on reforms, stating his commitment to creating a stronger, more trusted police force for Chicago.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE