Legislation signed to add a new police station on Chicago’s Southwest Side

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Gov. JB Pritzker has signed legislation that’s intended to add more police officers and a new police station on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

This has been a long time coming, but it’s not a done deal yet.

The legislation transfers ownership of the Midway Flight Facility at 5400 W 63rd St from the state to the city for a new station.

Alderman Marty Quinn has been an advocate.

“To say we are overdue for more police support is an understatement. The eighth district ranks number one for all crimes committed across the city of Chicago. The biggest and busiest,” Quinn said earlier this year.

The current district has ten officers for every 10,000 residents.

“I swear we've been having this conversation for 45 years. Now, we don't have the resources to keep over a quarter of a million people safe. That is unacceptable,” 15th Ward Ald. Ray Lopez said.

The cost of the property is a dollar.

Mayor Brandon Johnson still needs to sign off on the new station.

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