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When the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31, we will usher in the beginning of a new year. Some will celebrate at church watchnight services; others will mark New Year’s with revelry. This time-honored tradition marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. People will make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, join the gym, be a better person — many of which will be broken by February.
In Chicago and beyond, the following issues will dominate the 2024 landscape. Here are my predictions:
Public safety: Robberies, carjackings, gun violence and other violent crimes must be addressed to give citizens a sense of safety. According to Chicago Police Department data, robberies this year through Sunday are up 23% and vehicle thefts 38% compared with the same period last year. While the homicide total is down, people still feel unsafe.
My prediction: As long as police are handcuffed by politically motivated policies, crime will continue to spiral out of control. Our men and women in law enforcement should be supported and encouraged to do their jobs without fear.
Migrants and new arrivals: A porous southern border and sanctuary policies will continue to encourage people to flee their countries and come to the United States. Nearly 80% of Americans think the border is a major problem, a recently released Fox News poll found.
With 2024 a presidential election year, this issue could spell trouble for President Joe Biden. Mayor Brandon Johnson earmarked only $150 million for migrant assistance in 2024. City leadership has indicated the city is spending $40 million a month to provide for the migrants’ care. Johnson is either waiting for the federal cavalry to come to the rescue with more federal assistance or he’s relying on Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Also, our national security is at risk because we do not know who is in our country.
My prediction: This issue will get worse with the Democratic National Convention coming to Chicago in August, and taxpayers will be asked to pay more.
Chicago Teachers Union contract: The contract for Chicago Public Schools teachers is set to expire in June. The mayor is a former teacher and CTU organizer, and his hand-picked deputy mayor for education, Jennifer Johnson, former chief of staff for CTU, will lead the negotiations on behalf of city taxpayers. The CTU has donated more than $2.3 million to Johnson’s campaign since 2022. I have long said that in the interest of the taxpayers, Johnson should select an independent person familiar with education to lead the negotiations on behalf of the city.
My prediction: The CTU will get everything that it wants in the new contract at the expense of taxpayers. After all, one of Johnson’s first acts as mayor was to give three months of paid parental leave to teachers without bargaining. Also note that Chicago Public Schools projects a $670 million deficit for 2024 when pandemic relief funds run out.
Anti-business policies: A referendum question on the March ballot will ask voters to authorize raising the real estate transfer tax for the sake of funding the mayor’s Bring Chicago Home initiative. The mayor and his allies say the additional taxes will be used to address the unhoused in Chicago.
My prediction: More taxes will harm businesses and slow real estate transactions. Raising taxes drives people out of the city and state.
Health care: Advances in gene therapy will help with solutions for major diseases. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it “approved two milestone treatments, Casgevy and Lyfgenia, representing the first cell-based gene therapies for the treatment of sickle cell disease.”
My prediction: The use of artificial intelligence in health care will help to save lives.
Corruption: Public corruption breeds cynicism in voters and a loss of confidence in government. Chicago is America’s most corrupt city, and Illinois is the third-most corrupt state, according to a recent report from the University of Illinois at Chicago. WTTW-Ch. 11 news reports that “in 2021, there were 32 public corruption convictions in the Northern District of Illinois, which includes all of Chicago and the northern third of Illinois.” NPR reports that “since 1976, there have been more than 2,100 people convicted of public corruption in Illinois.”
My prediction: Chicago and Illinois will continue to experience corruption because of weak ethics laws and greed.
[ Ex-Ald. Ed Burke convicted on 13 of 14 counts at landmark federal corruption trial ]
Chicago Tribune Opinion
Economy: Inflation may be coming down, but food prices, rent and utilities are still high. More than 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, according to a recent report by the financial services firm LendingClub. The city of Chicago will receive a $336 million federal loan to replace 30,000 lead water pipes.
My prediction: The city will miss this opportunity to provide an equity stimulus for those unemployed on the South and West sides of Chicago.
With a new year, we have an opportunity to redefine our priorities. It is my hope that we will bury the past and move into 2024 with hope and renewed purpose. The new year presents elected officials an opportunity to listen to their constituents and prioritize communities.
I encourage you to make 2024 your best year: Write your goals down and work to accomplish them every day. Please resolve in your heart to vote in 2024.
I write this commentary to make those comfortable with the status quo carrying over to 2024 uncomfortable.
Willie Wilson is a Chicago business owner and a former 2023 mayoral candidate.
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