Chico says he'll hire 2,000 more Chicago cops
CHICAGO — Chicago mayoral candidate Gery Chico says he'll hire 2,000 more police officers by the end of his term if he's elected.
The former Chicago School Board president presented his public safety plan Wednesday in a southwest side neighborhood with one of the city's highest crime rates.
He says he'll also beef up an anti-loitering ordinance and make provisions for more early childhood education.
Chico says he'll fund his plan by eliminating waste from the budget.
He and other major candidates, including Rahm Emanuel, say they won't renew the contract of Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis (WEES). That's even though crime is at historic lows.
The decision about Emanuel's residency and eligibility to be on the ballot is before the Illinois Supreme Court. Chico says Emanuel's case doesn't affect his campaign.