Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget proposal once again includes a hefty sum set aside for a ShotSpotter replacement , administration officials told aldermen Thursday.

Officials identified a $5 million line item in the mayor’s 2026 spending plan as money for a “gunshot detection system” when pressed by aldermen during budget hearings. The item’s written description had only said the money was for “software maintenance and licensing.”

But despite the revelation, the plan to spend on a replacement for the controversial acoustic gunshot detection technology that sparked a long, heated clash between Johnson and the City Council is likely no surprise for aldermen. Johnson announced his administration was seeking proposals for “gun violence detection technology” in February.

Still, it’s a notewo

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