970 new Chicago Police officers will need 600 new squad cars

Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to borrow $25 million to pay for new squad cars for the 970 new officers he plans to hire in the next two years, but how he will pay for the additional cops remains under wraps.

Emanuel's office is seeking approval from the City Council Finance Committee to tack the vehicle-related borrowing onto an existing series of general obligation bonds, Budget Office spokeswoman Molly Poppe said.

As for the estimated $134 million it will cost to put nearly 1,000 new cops on the CPD payroll, Poppe said Emanuel will spell out the funding sources when he introduces his 2017 budget proposal next month.

The $25 million price tag will cover more than 600 vehicles, to be purchased over two years, Poppe said.

Last week, Emanuel announced the police hiring surge as a key component of his strategy to reduce crime and calm tensions between the CPD and citizens.

For the full story, click here.