Chicago's New Leadership Faces Challenges in Tackling Crime and Police Relations.

A pastor in Chicago's South Side expressed concern for the morale of the police department following the election of progressive candidate Brandon Johnson as mayor. Johnson's focus on non-police responses to crime and mental health crises has caused concern among some, including the police union's president who warned of a potential exodus of officers. The defeated candidate, Paul Vallas, had pledged to hire more police officers and put more uniformed officers on public transportation. Crime was a key issue for voters in the election, with homicides in Chicago hitting a 25-year high in 2021.