Chicago's Role In Elmhurst Crime: Mayor

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin said Thursday that the community still has a "significant concern" with crime.

He pointed to Chicago and Cook County.

"Part of it is proximity to 290. People come in – I will say from the city, Cook County – and commit crimes here, and you can jump right back on 290," Levin said.

In the old days, he said, drivers would pull over when they see flashing lights behind them.

"Now, it means to hit the gas on the highway and go 120 mph. And we can't pursue directly because of the liability issues," he said.

Levin cited an incident that happened in another suburb split between DuPage and Cook counties. A suspect asked an officer whether he was on the Cook County side of town, Levin said.

When told he was in DuPage, the suspect uttered obscenities, the mayor said. The suspect apparently feared what he thought would be greater consequences for his crime in DuPage.

Like most towns, Elmhurst has had issues filling police officer positions since the protests following the death of George Floyd in 2020, Levin said.

The city has made recruitment a priority, including hiring officers from other departments.

"Some are coming from Chicago, which is actually a sad commentary," he said.

The mayor said he has spoken with some of the former Chicago officers and found they are much happier working in Elmhurst.

"I'm not gloating because Chicago is our economic and cultural hub," Levin said. "We want it to be strong for those who live in the city."