At Issue: Preckwinkle Challenges Mayor Lightfoot On Gun Violence Stats

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is challenging Mayor Lightfoot to show her the numbers in their ongoing disagreement over who is at fault for some of the gun violence in Chicago.

Lightfoot and Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson complain that Cook County judges are allowing too many repeat gun offenders back onto the streets, where they commit violence. 

Toni Preckwinkle said fewer than one percent of those facing felony charges commit violent crimes when out on bail.

In recent weeks, Lightfoot and Johnson have complained that when repeat gun offenders are arrested, Cook County judges are freeing too many of them on bond, and they are getting involved in new shootings. 

However, Preckwinkle said their numbers show something completely different and wants to know what data Lightfoot is referring to. She said some of the debate is also about what you call a gun crime.

"There is a big difference between simply possessing a gun and being accused of shooting someone or being accused of murdering someone with a weapon," Preckwinkle said.

She said people who carry guns for their own protection in dangerous neighborhoods should not be treated the same as those who get involved with shootings. 

The aim is to make sure non-violent people charged with minor crimes do not languish in jail while the cases are decided, she said.

Toni Preckwinkle’s the guest on our AT ISSUE program this weekend and you can hear a lot more Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.