David Sheppard, Candidate for Illinois State Representative District 36 | Provided
David Sheppard, Candidate for Illinois State Representative District 36 | Provided
David Sheppard, a candidate for Illinois State Representative in District 36, has expressed concerns about city leadership's approach to law enforcement. He said that current policies have undermined law enforcement and endangered residents, pledging to restore accountability and public safety. This statement was made during an interview.
"I'm absolutely fed up," said Sheppard. "We have leadership in Chicago that treats law enforcement like the enemy, and the citizens are the ones paying the price. I've spent 28 years in law enforcement. The leadership in Chicago is in the toilet—and it's time to drain it."
CBS News Chicago reported in September 2025 that Mayor Brandon Johnson faced criticism following his remark that "jails and incarceration and law enforcement is a sickness." Critics argued this comment dismissed the role of policing in public safety. Johnson later clarified his position, saying Chicago must reduce its reliance on law enforcement alone and invest more in community-based crime prevention strategies. This clarification sparked further debate over his rhetoric and policy priorities.
According to the Chicago Police Department’s 2023 In Review report, the city recorded 2,450 shooting incidents, 2,880 shooting victims, and 617 homicides in 2023. These figures marked a 13% decline in murders compared with 2022. Property crime also dropped by 9%, while overall violent crime decreased by 5%, reflecting progress toward pre-pandemic levels of safety.
The Office of the Mayor reported significant improvements in crime statistics for the first half of 2025. Chicago experienced a 33% reduction in homicides and a 38% decline in shootings compared with the same period in 2024. Officials attributed these declines to targeted community investments, police partnerships, and violence prevention initiatives.
Sheppard is a Republican who ran for Illinois House District 36 in 2022 after serving over two decades in law enforcement, including as Chief of Police in Robbins, Illinois. His campaign focused on increasing electoral competition, government accountability, and community safety. His background is documented by Ballotpedia and LinkedIn.
Illinois House District 36 includes parts of Chicago’s Southwest Side and nearby suburbs such as Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Beverly, and Mount Greenwood. The seat has been represented by Democrat Kelly M. Burke since 2011. Burke defeated Sheppard in the 2022 election with 61.8% of the vote. The district has consistently leaned Democratic in recent election cycles.
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