We don't have the strictest gun laws in the nation, we are a shall issue state and can buy most stuff. If you want an AR-15 or a CCL you can buy one in IL, even Chicago residents can buy them. The population of Cook County is second only to LA county and is a smaller county geographically, so there's a lot of people in a small area. Most of the crime is on the near south side, and that is where Chicago police are really mistreated by the PD administration and the city of Chicago. The courts and correctional facilities are broken, and that adds to the problem.