In a bold show of autonomy, Chicago City Council members have snatched the reins from Mayor Brandon Johnson regarding the fate of the city's ShotSpotter technology. Defiant against Johnson's campaign promise to scrap the controversial gunshot detection system, the council voted 34-to-14 to mandate their approval before the contract can be terminated, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. The vote is positioned to withstand a mayoral veto, having cleared the two-thirds threshold.
"My executive authority," said Mayor Johnson, seemingly undeterred by the council's move, "to cancel the ShotSpotter contract... it doesn't make any sense, frankly," the mayor told the Chicago Tribune. Johnson proclaims the order has no impact on his powers. Alderman David Moore, who sponsored the measure, drummed up support saying it would ensure aldermen have a say in the use of technology that impacts their constituents.
The dispute was likewise highlighted as Alderman Moore defended the legality of the council's action, saying, "It's legal because, as aldermen, we have contracting authority, and we have budgeting authority," as stated by ABC7 Chicago. His view was supported by a municipal code legal expert and the council's consulting for the order, backing the legislators' role in appropriating funds and passing legislation.
However, there's a twist in the legal narrative with the mayor's office shying away from explaining why the measure isn't considered legal after being questioned by WLS. ShotSpotter, which has served the Chicago Police Department for years, is hanging by a thread as the deadline for the technology extension approaches in the fall. Mayor Johnson, maintaining his disapproval, declared, "I canceled ShotSpotter; it's canceled," in an interview with ABC7 Chicago.
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