WTTW News has launched a series titled 'A Safer City' to explore why Chicago's homicide rates are higher than those in New York City and Los Angeles. The series also highlights the efforts of local organizations working to prevent crime in Chicago. In a related investigation, WTTW News revealed that the Chicago Police Department's overtime expenses surged to $293 million in 2023, marking a 40% increase from 2022 and nearly tripling the $100 million budgeted for police overtime by the City Council. This spike in overtime costs is part of a broader trend, with the city's total overtime expenditure reaching approximately $524 million in 2023, a 19% increase from the previous year. More than half of this amount was allocated to compensate CPD officers for additional hours worked. Since 2019, Chicago's total overtime bill has increased by 62%, costing taxpayers an additional $202 million. Notably, 283 CPD workers made more than $100,000 in overtime alone.
"Chicago Tonight" is live at 5:30. Chicago’s whopping overtime bill. Are chronic pain sufferers the latest victims of the opioid crisis? And the race for Cook County state’s attorney heats up. Watch: https://t.co/8YF8gvzrov
The CTA continued to rely on bus and train operator overtime to keep the system running during 2023 — but the transit agency has yet to provide WTTW News with detailed information on operator hours, despite a formal request made nearly two months ago. https://t.co/UE3oZCUb5t
The City Council just pitched subsidized housing for cops. In 2022, nearly 50 SPD patrol officers made more than $200,000. One officer made that much JUST in overtime. Shout out to @DivestSPD for crunching these numbers. https://t.co/dyjUDY7wTw
CTA bus and train operators continued to prop up the struggling transit system by working plenty of overtime last year. Just how much OT? The agency still hasn't given @wttw News the information we asked for, in spite of a nearly two-month-old FOIA request https://t.co/ZXU4wRurN0
The city of Chicago spent approximately $524 million on employee overtime in 2023 — 19% more than in 2022, with more than half of the total amount used to compensate Chicago Police Department officers for working extra hours (w/ @HeatherCherone) https://t.co/jmaT7eMxpB
Chicago spent approximately $524 million on employee overtime in 2023 — 19% more than in 2022, with more than half of the total amount used to compensate CPD officers for working extra hours, according to records obtained by WTTW News. https://t.co/jco3Jf1QSU
Between 2019 and 2023, Chicago’s total overtime bill soared 62%, costing Chicago taxpayers an additional $202 million, according to data obtained by me and @jaredrutecki for @WTTW. (1/2) https://t.co/ImqYdJMPhx
Chicago spent a massive $293,000,000 on police overtime last year. The record spend includes 283 CPD workers who made more than $100,000 in overtime alone. The city's total overtime bill soared 62% since 2019, @HeatherCherone & @JaredRutecki report: https://t.co/xVQ4UVBIF2
Crime overall is falling nationwide. But when it comes to homicides, Chicago’s numbers are not declining as quickly as the two largest cities in the nation — New York and Los Angeles. Why isn’t Chicago’s homicide rate dropping at the same pace? https://t.co/5JKXyzRWyu
NEW: Chicago Police spent $293M on overtime last year, 40% more than in 2022 and nearly 3 times the $100M earmarked for police overtime set by the City Council as part of the city’s 2023 budget, according to data obtained by me and @jaredrutecki for @WTTW. https://t.co/yOlVtTm6T2
Right now, @wttw News’ series, A Safer City on #ChicagoTonight. @paschutz digging into why NYC’s and LA’s homicide rates are lower than Chicago’s. https://t.co/m21rILmymb
A WTTW News Safer City special: Why Chicago sees more homicides than other major cities. And the local organizations working to prevent that crime in their communities. Watch now: https://t.co/8YF8gvzrov