Chicago's search for ShotSpotter replacement stalls amid delays from Procurement Department

June 10, 2026 - 11:42

The city of Chicago's effort to find a new gunshot detection system to replace the controversial ShotSpotter technology has hit a standstill, with delays coming from the city's own Procurement Department. Even as Mayor Brandon Johnson has signaled his administration supports finding a replacement for the system, his allies on the city council raised sharp questions on Tuesday about whether any gunshot detection technology is needed at all.

During a heated committee hearing, several aldermen who typically back the mayor expressed deep skepticism about the value of acoustic gunshot detection systems. They argued that the technology often leads to false alarms, wastes police resources, and does little to solve violent crimes. One alderman called it a "pricey gimmick" that diverts attention from community-based violence prevention efforts.

The procurement delays have frustrated city officials who hoped to have a new system in place before the current contract with ShotSpotter expires. The Johnson administration had previously indicated it would seek a different vendor, but the process has stalled amid bureaucratic hurdles. Critics say the slowdown reflects a lack of clear direction from City Hall on how to handle policing technology that has become politically divisive.

Meanwhile, police leaders have urged the city to move quickly, warning that a gap in coverage could leave officers without real-time alerts in high-crime neighborhoods. But with council members now openly questioning the entire premise of the technology, the path forward remains uncertain. The mayor's office has not commented on the latest council criticism.