‘Purpose Over Pain’ pushes for progress as thousands of Chicago cold cases remain unsolved

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says homicides are down in the city, but thousands of cases remain unsolved.

The group Purpose Over Pain organized a panel discussion and resource fair for families involved in cold cases. It was held Saturday morning at Saint Sabina Church.

“Our goal is to try to figure out how can we get justice for our children? How can we walk with the detectives to get our cases solved because we feel like if we aren’t out there, nobody seems to care,” Pam Bosley, Executive Director of Purpose Over Pain, said.

Attendees were looking for help and resources as they deal with years of unsolved cases.

The panel included representatives from the Chicago Police Department, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and Cook County Crime Stoppers.

“I just don’t think they put in any effort to try to find my son’s murderer. That’s where I’m at. The effort was well, I’m one of those swept under the rug mothers,” Felicia Burnette said.

Police say they have an improving clearance rate but according to a report, Chicago police cleared just 16% of fatal shootings by arrest within a year in 2024, significantly lower than the national average.