Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Police Department say they’re moving into a “new age of policing” while rebuilding the department. They are also asking for more patience, time and a bit more money.

The mayor’s 2024 spending plan would increase the overall CPD budget to nearly $2 billion, accounting for more than 31% of the city’s $5.7 billion dollar corporate fund.

Johnson says the budget will increase by $91 million to cover the cost of contractually required raises for employees. 

Oswaldo Gomez, vice president of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability; Mark Clements, senior community organizer with the Chicago Torture Justice Center; Eric Wilkins, Survivors Alliance for Healing and Justice and Broken Winggz coordinator with Communities United; and Vajae Franklin, youth organizer with GoodKids MadCity joined “Chicago Tonight” to share their thoughts.

Budget negotiations continue for the next several weeks, with final approval set for Nov. 15.