Alders Call for Hearing on Delays in Critical Public Safety Technology Procurement


Alders Call for Hearing on Delays in Critical Public Safety Technology Procurement

Alders raise concerns over stalled contracts, missed deadlines, and public safety impacts

CHICAGO, IL – Today, Aldermen Brian Hopkins, Chairman of the Committee on Public Safety, Peter Chico, and Derrick G. Curtis introduced a resolution calling for a Committee on Public Safety to convene a subject matter hearing on May 5, 2026 to examine ongoing delays in procuring two critical public safety technologies: a new records management system for the Chicago Police Department and a replacement for the City’s acoustic gunshot detection system.

The resolution directs the Committee on Public Safety to convene a subject matter hearing to provide transparency into the stalled procurement processes in order to examine whether the administration is meeting its legal obligations, and establish a clear timeline for contract award, implementation, and deployment of both systems.

Joining Aldermen Hopkins, Chico, and Curtis are Aldermen Pat Dowell, Lamont J. Robinson, Gregory Mitchell, Michelle Harris, Anthony Beale, Nicole T. Lee, Julia M. Ramirez, Marty Quinn, Jeylu B. Gutierrez, Raymond Lopez, Stephanie D. Coleman, David Moore, Matthew J. O’Shea, Jeanette B. Taylor, Ronnie L. Mosley, Silvana Tabares, Monique L. Scott, Chris Taliaferro, Felix Cardona, Jr., Scott Waguespack, William Conway, Gilbert Villegas, Emma Mitts, Nicholas Sposato, Samantha Nugent, Anthony Napolitano, Brendan Reilly, Timmy Knudsen, Bennett R. Lawson, James M. Gardiner, Maria E. Hadden, and Debra Silverstein.

“The City has a clear legal obligation to follow through on these procurements,” said Ald. Brian Hopkins. “After delays and missed deadlines, it is time for full transparency into what is holding these contracts up and what the plan is to move forward.”

“Public safety tools should not be subject to delays or uncertainty,” said Ald. Peter Chico. “Residents deserve to know that when shots are fired, the City has the systems in place to respond quickly and effectively. Right now, there are too many unanswered questions.”

“This is about accountability and doing what we said we would do,” said Ald. Derrick G. Curtis. “The Council passed clear laws and funded these systems. We need to understand why those directives have not been carried out and what it will take to get this done.”

CPD is required to implement a modern records management system to improve data collection, analysis, and officer oversight, including an early intervention system to identify at-risk behavior. While the City has moved forward with procuring a system for certain back-office and operational functions, questions remain about the status of integrating multiple reporting platforms into a single system, reducing duplicative data entry and improving real-time information sharing. The resolution seeks clarity on the timeline and status of this full, end-to-end implementation.

At the same time, the City has yet to replace its acoustic gunshot detection technology following its decommissioning, despite documented public safety consequences, including delays in locating shooting victims.

City Council previously passed legally binding measures requiring a vote before removing such systems and mandating timely contract action to avoid service interruptions. The resolution asserts the City is not in compliance with those requirements and has failed to advance a new system despite approved funding and a completed procurement process.

The hearing will require testimony from key City officials, including the Chief Procurement Officer, Chief Information Officer, Superintendent of Police, and leadership from the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, the Office of Public Safety Administration, and the Mayor’s Office

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