Chicago Police near record $2 billion in spending 3 years after defund effort – Center Square

The city reduced the police department by 614 positions and cut funding by 2.7% in 2021 in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd's murder. Since then, the department has grown in size and spending. While the city maintained staffing levels for 2024 at the same level as the previous year, the city reported a 30% increase in crime in 2022. Murders were down 13% from 804 in 2021 to 699 in 2022, but the city stated property crime drove the spike in crime and was up 44% and violent crime was up 1% in 2022 as compared to 2021.