‘Cops Have To Be Able To Chase’: Maher, Famous Rocker Rip Into Chicago Over Restrictions On Police

Comedian and podcast host Bill Maher and The Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan tore into Chicago over its restrictions on police.

Chicago police officers are no longer permitted to chase people on foot if they are fleeing from crimes they’ve committed if they are minor offenses.

Maher noted that several of his old friends from Chicago feel the city is now “very unsafe.”

“Just to add a little bit of teeth to what I’m saying, I know a lot of Chicago Police Department people,” Corgan said. “So these are the people that are dealing with it everyday. And they’re like, ‘this is fucked up.’ They’re telling me that.”

“And it’s fucked up because the cops are basically saying they’re not allowed to do their job?” Maher said.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 20: Chicago police officers pose for pictures at a Chicago Police Department promotion and graduation ceremony on October 20, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The city of Chicago has started to place police officers on unpaid leave for refusing to comply with the city’s requirements that they report their COVID-19 vaccination status. Only about 65 percent of the city’s police have complied with the order. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

“Let me tell you what I think cause this is a stated policy ok? If I have it wrong I apologize, but this is what I understand, and I’ve certainly talked to my cop friends about it. You’re no longer allowed in Chicago to foot chase a criminal,” Corgan said. “Unless they’re like carrying a firearm. So if you’re standing outside a store, and some young person or an old person comes running out with 14 pairs of jeans in their hands, and you go ‘stop’ and they don’t stop, you can’t chase them.”

“What is the purpose of even thinking of a law like this, let alone–” Maher said. (RELATED: ‘This Shit Has Always Gone On’: Maher, Kathy Griffin Spar Over Climate Change)

“You gotta chase the bad guys. Cops have to be able to chase,” Maher said. “I’ve said this many times, like Democrats, when what you’re doing sounds like an Onion headline — stop.”

The duo also discussed obesity and body positivity along with COVID restrictions.

The episode airs Monday.