Lake County Gazette

Illinois Rep. Martin McLaughlin says multiple factors are to blame for a sharp decline in arrests.

According to a Feb. 3 Wirepoints report, arrests were made in only 5% of major crimes in Chicago in 2022, significantly lower than the arrests in 2019 and 2021.

Arrests for murders, sexual assaults, aggravated batteries, and carjackings in 2022 were significantly down from the 10% reported in 2019.

The "rate of success in solving crime is down 50% from just a few years ago,” McLaughlin said. “This result is due to multiple factors. Enhanced public scrutiny of all law enforcement instead of justified scrutiny of officers who violate their oath to serve and protect, revolving doors for criminals due to weak states attorneys is also a significant problem."

The 5% total for "major crimes" includes murders, sexual assaults, aggravated battery, robberies, burglaries, and thefts, including motor vehicle theft, Wirepoints reported. Arrest rates varied by the type of crime, based on the seven categories cities typically report to the federal government. Chicago’s homicide arrests were down 5% to 29% in 2022, a 13% drop from 2020.

The highest arrest rate for thefts in 2022 was the nearly 9,000 arrests for retail thefts, or a 16% arrest rate, according to Wirepoints. Only 1% of arrests were made in the nearly 20,000 reported incidents of theft valued at more than $500. The nearly 19,000 thefts of $500 and under resulted in arrests in just 1.6% of cases. For the almost 5,000 “thefts from a building” category, the arrest rate was 0.5%

One disturbing trend McLaughlin noted was the public distrust of police.

"When media and politicians present all law enforcement in an unfair light, they erode the morale and public’s trust in our departments," he said. "The vast majority of men and women of law enforcement get (up) in the morning and leave their families to protect ours. They protect our families, our lives, and properties. That sacrifice and service needs to be honored."

McLaughlin also said positive actions of police should get as much attention as controversial police action does.

"When there is an event that violates the law or appropriate code of conduct it should be investigated and prosecuted," he said. "Just as important would be exposure and reports acknowledging positive reports by officers that protect and serve our communities. These instances don’t receive attention and it harms the public understanding of what great work is done on a daily basis by so many first responders. We need more attention and recognition of the positive law enforcement outcomes."