In a pointed interview on Chicago’s Morning Answer, guest hosts Amy Jacobson and Jeannie Ives spoke with 15th Ward Alderman Ray Lopez about the recent shooting death of Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew and the broader failures of Illinois’ criminal justice reforms. Lopez joined the discussion as the city mourns Officer Bartholomew, killed by a repeat offender who was on electronic monitoring despite four pending violent felonies.
He strongly backed Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s criticism of the system, noting that electronic monitoring is “broken” and fails to protect the public. Lopez placed primary responsibility for the flawed Safety Act on Springfield lawmakers, Governor JB Pritzker, and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, arguing the law has turned into a “vacation pass” for dangerous criminals with lengthy rap sheets. The alderman highlighted three ongoing murder trials at 26th and California involving first responders — Officer Bartholomew, Firefighter Autman, and Captain Myers — all allegedly enabled by the Safety Act’s lenient policies toward repeat offenders.
He questioned how many more tragedies are needed before legislators act, suggesting politicians only change course when the laws personally affect them. Lopez praised State Sen. John Curran’s proposal to mandate detention for anyone accused of a violent crime while on ankle monitoring, calling it an overdue start. He pushed for a simpler fix: detain all repeat offenders. He also criticized the Cook County judicial system, particularly the shift of electronic monitoring oversight to the Chief Judge’s office, which he said avoids accountability and FOIA transparency.
Lopez expressed outrage over Judge John Like’s handling of the suspect’s case and called for greater judicial accountability, including voting against retention for judges who endanger communities. Turning to city leadership, Lopez sharply criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to convert vacant Loop office buildings into affordable housing. He called the $1.25 billion borrowing scheme wasteful, noting high per-unit costs, patronage opportunities for delegate agencies, increased red tape, and a looming property tax burden shift onto residential neighborhoods.
When asked why he remains a Democrat, Lopez replied that not every Democrat has “lost their mind.” He positioned himself as a voice of sanity within the party, committed to accountability, public safety, and effective government. Lopez’s appearance underscored growing frustration among some Chicago Democrats with progressive criminal justice policies and highlighted deep skepticism toward Mayor Johnson’s approach to downtown revitalization. As calls mount for legislative fixes in Springfield, the interview served as a stark reminder of the human cost of policies that prioritize offenders over victims and law enforcement.