Another fast-food boss sounds the alarm on US crime: McDonald’s CEO echoes Starbucks’ safety concerns – but doubles down on chain’s commitment to Chicago In a conversation with the Economic Club of Chicago, McDonald''s President and CEO Chris Kempczinski, urged the city to address crime. McDonald''s will be bringing 100 jobs to Chicago''s West Loop neighborhood after announcing its relocation of its Innovation Center. Chicago burglary and theft rates have risen over the past four years. The head of McDonald''s has a stark warning for the city of Chicago: The city must make reducing crime its top priority, he says. "For many Chicago neighborhoods, this is not a new issue," CEO Chris Kempczinski told members of the Economic Club of Chicago."But it''s seeping into every corner of our city wrecking an untold human impact." Despite those concerns, the CEO announced on Wednesday that McDonald''s is relocating its Innovation Center — where the company tests new products and innovations — from Romeoville, a village 26 miles from Chicago, to its near-downtown West Loop headquarters, bringing more than 100 jobs. "While others are leaving Chicago and Illinois, I will tell you McDonald''s is doubling down, we''re going to be here," Kempczinski said, eliciting cheers from the audience.