City of Chicago — Restart Chicago Gunshot Detection (Cook County)

What it does

Should the City of Chicago restart the use of gunshot detection technology that informs first responders when gunshots are detected?

A YES vote means

Supports Chicago restarting the use of gunshot detection technology that alerts first responders when gunshots are detected.

A NO vote means

Does not support Chicago restarting gunshot detection technology.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

This advisory question was introduced in the City Council on May 20, 2026, as Resolution R2026-0025451, with Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) as primary sponsor and Alds. Hopkins, Scott, Chico, Curtis, Reilly and O'Shea as co-sponsors, according to the city's legislative record as mirrored by Chicago Councilmatic.

Block Club Chicago reported that Mayor Brandon Johnson ended the city's contract with ShotSpotter's parent company, SoundThinking, in September 2024 after campaigning on phasing it out, citing studies questioning its effectiveness, and that the city sought proposals for replacement technology in early 2025.

Put on the ballot by Chicago City Council (Resolution R2026-0025451, sponsor Ald. Marty Quinn); adoption vote not found in reachable records.

From official source.

In the news

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Chicago mean?

Supports Chicago restarting the use of gunshot detection technology that alerts first responders when gunshots are detected.

What does a NO vote on City of Chicago mean?

Does not support Chicago restarting gunshot detection technology.

How many votes does City of Chicago need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Chicago?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting and mail-ballot deadlines vary by state; check your state or county election office.