While Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker have downplayed the city’s crime concerns, a White House press release presented statistics that tell a different story. For 13 consecutive years, Chicago has recorded the most murders of any U.S. city, and for seven consecutive years, it had the highest murder rate among cities with more than one million residents.
In 2024, Chicago’s per capita murder rate was three times higher than Los Angeles and nearly five times higher than New York City. Out of nearly 148,000 reported crimes this year, only 16.2% led to arrests. The city also recovers more illegal guns than New York City and Los Angeles combined, and motor vehicle thefts have more than doubled since 2021. Homicide reporting discrepancies have added to scrutiny of local law enforcement practices.
Residents shared firsthand concerns. Following a shooting near a senior living facility, one woman questioned the lack of police presence. A pub owner criticized city leaders for focusing on other priorities while neighborhoods faced rising crime. City Alderman Brian Hopkins and local business owners confirmed that burglaries and armed robberies, once rare, are now increasingly common, highlighting ongoing safety challenges across Chicago.
The data and community reports underscore a growing debate over whether federal intervention, including potential National Guard deployment, is warranted to address crime in the city.
