Council gives itself power to take control of ShotSpotter, defies Johnson campaign promise

Chicago aldermen voted Wednesday to take control over the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system’s future out of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s hands in a bid to stop him from deactivating it.

The 34 to 14 vote to give the City Council final say over the mayor’s cancellation plans sharply defies Johnson, who campaigned on the promise of getting rid of the controversial and expensive technology.

Under the order that passed Wednesday, the pact with ShotSpotter is now subject to an up-or-down council vote before it can be terminated.