(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Mayor Lightfoot’s latest proposed strategy to help reduce violent crime in Chicago is dependent on forces beyond City Hall.
On Monday, she called on Cook County court officials to stop placing violent offenders on electronic monitoring, which Lightfoot has said is dangerous. The mayor also urged the U.S. Department of Justice to send an infusion of ATF agents and federal prosecutors here — on top of resources Washington has already sent — to stop gun trafficking.
She returned to a common complaint of her administration: that electronic monitoring is not preventing offenders from committing additional crimes while they await trial.
Lightfoot urged judges not to give the home-confinement option to suspects who have been charged with violent offenses ranging from murder to sexual assault to kidnapping to vehicular hijacking.
“The Cook County electronic monitoring system is fundamentally broken in a way that is making our city unsafe,” Lightfoot said in a 45-minute address at Garfield Park.
The office of the Chief Judge of Cook County, Timothy Evans, said they had not received a request from Lightfoot.
"We share the concerns about the tragic violence in our community. This is both a local and a national problem. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners in finding solutions to this complex issue," a spokesperson said.
Lightfoot’s suggestions come as more than 800 people have been murdered in Chicago this year.
Related
