Some Chicagoans Worry the Urgency Around Violence Is Fading — Even as Shootings Are Ticking Up in Certain Neighborhoods

Chicagoans report rising concern over gun violence in certain neighborhoods despite overall declines post-pandemic. Shootings in parts of the South and West Sides have increased by 20-50% in 2026 compared to 2025, while community activists highlight ongoing impacts on families and shifting public attention to other issues.