Gunshot detection tech’s future on Chicago ballots as Johnson pushes
pilot
[November 03, 2026]
By Sean Reed |
The Center Square
(The Center Square) – On Chicago ballots Tuesday is a question with the
potential for voters to recommend the city reverse course on a cancelled
contract for gunshot detection technology, which was removed from the
city by Mayor Brandon Johnson following his election.
The ballot question asks, “Should the City of Chicago restart the use of
gunshot detection technology that informs first responders when gunshots
are detected?”
In 2024, the ShotSpotter technology around the city was taken offline as
a fulfillment of a campaign promise from the mayor.
“We have spent $100 million on what essentially is walkie talkies on a
stick,” Johnson said when the contract was cancelled.
Johnson has since changed course on the technology, somewhat following
efforts by the city council to force the city to accept bids to again
deploy it citywide.
Ahead of a proposed ordinance being brought forward to council, the
Department of Public Safety announced the pilot program would soon
begin.
Johnson said last week the removal of the technology was done because it
was ineffective.
“One of the reasons why ShotSpotter was such a failure is because it was
the antithesis of my moral standards, right? Not only did it not lead to
arrests and convictions, all the OIG reports indicated that it was an
ineffective tool,” Johnson said.
The mayor maintained that the removal of gunshot detection technology as
shootings have dropped has shown the tech isn’t necessarily needed, but
his administration could implement it in ways more in line with his
public safety goals.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks to reporters during a news
conference. Photo: Greg Bishop / The Center Square
“Since its removal, we've had the lowest amount of homicides and
shootings in 60 years. I do think that there is room for us to make
sure that technology is advancing our society and it's not being
used to replace our society or punish people,” Johnson said.
The pilot program, intended to be deployed in six police districts
across the city, is expected to begin sometime soon – with Johnson’s
office projecting it would share updates on the deployment in early
November.
Alderman Marty Quinn, who introduced the ballot question, has been
critical of the Johnson administration for introducing the pilot
program alongside other aldermen, calling it a tactic to delay full
implementation of the program.
Alderman Matt O'Shea was critical of the initial cancellation during
the budget hearing.
“We were told leadership in the police department opposed that
decision, the majority of the city council opposed that decision,
and we were told that there would be a replacement. Here we are 25
months later and we don't have a replacement,” O’Shea said.
O’Shea didn’t receive answers to his questions about what company
will be fulfilling the technology for the pilot program, but CPD
officials told the alderman they believe the technology will be
useful if put back in place.
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