Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's crime problem
The vacancy rate in the not-so-“Magnificent Mile” has reached about 30%, according to Crain’s. Just six years ago, it was reportedly under 5%.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot appears detached from reality as her city's crime soars and businesses move out of the city. Her out-of-control crime problem does not bode well for her re-election next month.
Crime rates in Chicago have skyrocketed by 61% in the first three weeks of 2023, compared to the previous year, according to data from Chicago police. Authorities received 4,844 crime reports, up from 3,013 in the same period last year.
Highlights from the New York Post article / January 30, 2023:
Since the mayor’s term began, Chicago has suffered 2,278 homicides and over 9,000 shot. Since January 1, the city has endured 41 homicides and 194 shot.
Two people were killed and 13 others, including a 3-year-old boy, were wounded this weekend in shootings across the city, ABC7 reported. Last weekend, seven people were killed and at least 23 others were wounded in a similar manner.
Meanwhile, 13 robberies were carried out over two hours on the city’s South and West sides Saturday night into early Sunday, NBC Chicago reported. In each incident, one or more people riding in a vehicle drove up to the victims.
Lightfoot has also faced backlash for suggesting during a mayoral debate earlier this month that street vendors rely on other payments besides cash to prevent robberies.
In addition to a sharp spike in crime, Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile” has taken a beating — with several high-profile stores abandoning the iconic strip. Among the businesses that have closed their doors or announced their departures were Banana Republic, Old Navy, Timberland, Uniqlo, Gap and Macy’s, NBC Chicago reported.
The vacancy rate in the not-so-“Magnificent Mile” has reached about 30%, according to Crain’s. Just six years ago, it was reportedly under 5%.
On Sunday, journalist William Kelly posted a video of shuttered businesses on State Street. “Not even Old Blue Eyes could save this and Chicagoans have @lorilightfoot to thank,” the Citizen Kelly podcaster said on Twitter.
“The policies that really destroyed State Street and honestly, Michigan Avenue, the Magnificent Mile was the one-two punch of the lockdowns, the looting, but also the policies that continue to this day.”
“Believe it or not, if someone shoplifting up to $1,000, there are no consequences. So, imagine, how long can you stay in business if somebody is stealing $1,000 from you every single day?” he said. “In a month, that’s $30,000 in a year, that’s $3 million. You’re not going to be able to stay in business,” Kelly added.
Lightfoot’s critics have also accused her of censoring the media amid the city’s rampant crime. “She didn’t do anything to stop the looting. She didn’t do anything to stop the shoplifting right up to and including today,” Kelly said.
Government policies matter and Chicago is a case study in how liberal progressive policies [and one-party rule] can ruin a city. And a country, if allowed.
The problem is not unique to Chicago. Cities (and states) that have relaxed the penalties for crime are beginning to lose their tax base. Criminals pay no taxes of stolen merchandise; stores with high shoplifting (that are robbed) can't collect sales tax; shop owners report losses; lowering any income tax revenue; the smart ones just shut down after developing a virtual presence and likely relocated to a more business friendly environment anyway (Florida, Texas, etc.). With fewer people working or shopping in the city there are fewer services delivered as well. Lightfoot won't address the problem until there are more boarded-up storefronts than their are ones still trying to do business.
Sadly, Lightfoot isn't the only problem. If Lightfoot put some pressure on Kim Fox or Pritzker, she might be excused. Unfortunately, these highly progressive pols are learning what too much progressiveness looks like. Sadly, the remaining taxpayers, who will be mostly downstate (outside Chicago) will pay. The non-taxpaying residents of Chicago don't care; they're the ones stealing.