The Dec. 29 Tribune included a lengthy article (“Chicago violence down despite major incidents”) attributing the dramatic decline in violent crime in 2025 to the work of local law enforcement agencies. While law enforcement plays a central role in reducing crime, the article overlooks the crucial role of community violence intervention (CVI) organizations.
Today, thanks to the support of the philanthropic and business communities and government at the city, county and state levels, Chicago has a network of more than two dozen CVI organizations active in nearly half of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. In South, Southwest and West Side communities that account for a disproportionate share of gun violence, CVI organizations have served thousands of high-risk individuals with life coaching, trauma treatment, education and job training. Studies from Northwestern University show these programs are working.
It is also worth noting that, in addition to crime dropping dramatically, arrests are also way down compared to the pre-pandemic era, which affirms that we are not solely arresting and incarcerating our way to greater safety. The only logical conclusion is that thousands of individuals who were caught up in the street life have begun to change their behavior for the better — and that clearly points to CVI.
The article also says we are on track to our lowest crime levels in a decade. In fact, the current homicide total for 2025 is the lowest in 60 years.
As Chicago reflects on positive crime trends and looks ahead to an even better year, let’s salute the contributions of everyone involved, including staff, outreach workers and participants in CVI programs. They are a big part of the solution.
— Peter Cunningham, senior adviser, Chicago CRED, Chicago
Mayor’s abandonment
Another stunning act of political theater at City Hall.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, the self-anointed “collaborator in chief,” refused to sign the 2026 budget that took effect Jan. 1. By neither signing nor vetoing the City Council’s $16.6 billion compromise that was created and approved by aldermen who did collaborate, Johnson has abandoned his elected leadership role and his responsibility for the plan he labels “immoral” — without a sound moral or ethical justification for his judgmental characterization.
For months, Johnson pushed for a corporate head tax — arguably a job-killing measure that would punish employers and stifle growth. When the City Council, representing every neighborhood and every walk of life, rejected that tax in favor of a balanced and compromised approach, the “collaborator” withdrew from action. The mayor’s refusal to act and sign the budget isn’t principle — it’s a retreat. A retreat from leading. A retreat from governing. A retreat from accountability. And a retreat from listening to the diverse voices of Chicago — including voices of those “who look like me and my family” — as he likes to say — as well as those who don’t look like him and his family.
Following the presentation of the collaboratively proposed 2026 budget, rather than leading through action, our mayor sat back, preached and pushed rhetoric that deepens division and leaves Chicago drifting into 2026 under a budget without a mayor’s leadership and stamp of accountability.
Johnson has chosen his own ideological purity over practical leadership — proving once again that his version of “collaboration” applies only to those who agree with him.
The mayor’s style of governance isn’t collaboration. It’s abdication. All Chicago residents deserve better.
— Joe Bonaccorsi, Chicago
Chicago schools’ levy
Never missing a chance to burden Chicago taxpayers, the Chicago Board of Education voted to further increase its property tax levy. Instead of doing the hard work of seeking out difficult budget cuts, the board took the easy route and simply voted to increase its levy to the maximum allowed. There are at least 47 schools in Chicago Public Schools with enrollment at less than 30% capacity.
No one enjoys closing schools, and such measures should be considered only in dire circumstances. But given the budget problems facing CPS and the city, could anyone not consider our financial picture dire? It’s high time we address our spending problem and stop increasing property taxes.
— Dean Gerber, Chicago
Jackson, Pritzker deal
The Dec. 21 report “Political ties come to light” about U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson is shocking but not surprising.
For decades, the Jacksons have presented themselves as civil rights leaders and advocates for racial equity and justice. However, time and again, they have shown themselves to be opportunistic, publicity-seeking, egotistical, and morally and ethically corrupt.
Jonathan Jackson’s endorsement of JB Pritzker for governor, after receiving a lucrative consulting contract, has not resulted in any substantive, verifiable legislative outcomes for African American residents, in the areas of economic opportunity, education, criminal justice and health care.
Indeed, Illinois ranks last in matters of racial equity and justice, according to a WalletHub study.
— Audrey L. Davis, Niles
Clemency from governor
M.K. Pritzker, Illinois’ first lady, recently delivered a drawing I made to Pope Leo XIV in Rome, which was a great honor for me. Half of my drawing was in black and white, showing a woman walking away from barbed wire and a prison tower. The other half of the drawing was in bright colors, showing her walking toward flowers and a butterfly.
The pope, who has made the rights of prisoners a priority, told the Pritzkers that when he looked at my drawing, he saw a woman walking toward God.
I am serving a 33-year sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections. I am 38 years old.
Last August, M.K. Pritzker sent word to women in prison in Illinois that we could submit artwork about how we relate to nature. She showed many pieces of the artwork at the Illinois State Fair. This was the second call for art submissions to those of us incarcerated over the past year. The other show was sponsored by the Women’s Justice Institute and focused on art created by incarcerated survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
I had the privilege of going around to the women who were submitting art to pick up their submissions, and I talked with many of them. I did not know most of the women, although we are housed in the same prison. Many told me that although they do not feel ready to talk about the abuse they suffered, they experienced a breakthrough in healing while creating their artwork. In many cases, there was a direct link between the violence they experienced and the crimes they were convicted of — in some cases, they acted in self-defense, and, in other cases, they were coerced into committing crimes by their abusers.
The first lady has said that she and Gov. JB Pritzker support programs and policies for incarcerated people. Many of the artists who submitted work to the first lady and to the justice institute have petitions for executive clemency pending before the governor.
It is my prayer in 2026 that the governor will show mercy in these cases and grant clemency, as many Illinois governors before him have done in similar cases.
— Yesenia Diaz, Logan Correctional Center
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