Mayoral candidate John Kelly, a former lobbyist, announced on Thursday that his campaign will add 20 ambulances, replace aging fire engines and hire 1,000 additional police officers if he wins the 2026 Chicago mayoral election. The pledge targets what Kelly describes as a decline in the city’s emergency and public safety resources.
Kelly said the expanded ambulance fleet and new fire trucks are intended to improve response times and modernize equipment that he says has become outdated. He also outlined a plan to increase the Chicago Police Department’s workforce by 1,000 officers, arguing that a larger police presence would enhance community safety and allow for more proactive policing.
The challenger positioned his proposal directly against incumbent Mayor Brandon Johnson, whose administration has faced criticism over recent safety statistics and perceived reductions in emergency services. Kelly’s campaign frames the incumbent’s record as insufficient for the city’s needs, suggesting that a substantial boost in personnel and equipment is essential to reverse the trend.
The promises form a central element of Kelly’s platform in a race that has grown increasingly focused on public safety. While Johnson has emphasized other priorities, Kelly’s emphasis on tangible increases in ambulances, fire trucks and police officers seeks to differentiate his approach. The candidate’s statements come as voters weigh competing visions for Chicago’s future, with both sides presenting distinct strategies for managing the city’s emergency response infrastructure.
If elected, Kelly’s plan would require significant budget allocations and coordination with city departments to procure the additional ambulances, upgrade fire engines and recruit the projected 1,000 new officers. The feasibility of financing and implementing these initiatives will likely become a focal point of discussion as the campaign progresses toward the November election.