In a recent interview on Fox News, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker found himself in the hot seat as he attempted to address Chicago’s notorious title as the murder capital of the United States. The billionaire governor, who inherited his wealth from the Hyatt Hotels empire, faced tough questions during his appearance on “Special Report” with Bret Baier.

Baier challenged Pritzker directly, questioning why Chicago was leading the nation in murder rates among major U.S. cities. In response, Pritzker countered, stating, “We’re not in the top 30,” a claim that was quickly scrutinized.

To support their point, Fox News displayed a map utilizing official FBI statistics, highlighting that Chicago had approximately 17.5 murders per 100,000 people in 2024, surpassing any other major city in the country. This visual evidence painted a stark picture of the situation in the Windy City.

Despite the grim statistics, Pritzker attempted to shed light on some progress, emphasizing that “our murder rate has been cut in half over the last four years, and every year it has gone down by double digits.” His comments aimed to provide a glimmer of hope amid the concerning figures, highlighting efforts to curb violence in the city.

Pritzker clawed for a positive figure to counterbalance the grim finding, saying: ‘Our murder rate has been cut in half over the last four years, and every year it has gone down by double digits.’

Referring to the map, Baier said: ‘Chicago is number one over Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix, Los Angeles, New York and San Diego.’

Pritzker fired back: ‘You can pull statistics up, I can too. I am explaining to you that our murder rate has been cut in half. 

‘Very importantly Bret, we’ve been doing the things necessary to bring crime down. We’ve invested in community violence interruption, we’ve invested in police.’

JB Pritzker sat down on Fox News with Bret Baier on Thursday and attempted to downplay the homicide rate in the city of Chicago 

Baier, seen here, sprung a map compiled of FBI data showing on the Governor, detailing how Chicago had the highest murder rate in 2024 amongst other huge US cities

The data used on air also highlighted how in 2024 there were 539.8 instances of violent crime per 100,000 residents in the city. 

There was also 3,472 property crimes per 100,000 residents, with a total of 4,012 crimes for every 100,000 residents in 2024, according to the report. 

President Donald Trump used the figures when he referred to the Windy City as ‘the murder capital of the world’ earlier this year. 

There was some substance to Governor Pritzker’s insistence that Chicago is improving, with the 188 homicides recorded between January and June 33 percent fewer than the total for the same period in 2024.  

This year is the first since 2014 that fewer than 200 murders were recorded in Chicago during the first six months of the year. 

In a press release dated August 25, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also said shootings had dropped by 38 percent. 

Those figures have done little to quell Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in the city. 

Around 200 troops from Texas touched down in the city earlier this month alongside 200 Illinois guardsmen federalized by the Pentagon. 

Fox cut to a map during the interview between the two to highlight the murder rate in the city

Trump used the figures quoted on Fox when he referred to the Windy City as ‘the murder capital of the world’ earlier this year

Federal agents detain a protester outside of the Broadview ICE in Broadview, Illinois, on September 26 

Trump even threatened to put Pritzker behind bars for ‘failing to protect ICE officers’ undertaking operations in the city. 

A defiant Pritzker told reporters: ‘There’s one thing I really want to say to Donald Trump: if you come for my people, you come through me. So come and get me.’

Trump has frequently referred to the city as ‘Chiraq’, saying that Antifa rioters have put ICE agents at risk as they rounded up illegal immigrants. 

For over a month, ICE officials have faced daily clashes with protesters at their detention facilities. 

The state and the city have both sued the administration to block them from sending more troops. 

While Chicago murders are trending down, the city continues to have a serious image problem.

Designer stores along its ‘Magic Mile’ are frequently ransacked by smash-and-grab raiders, with dystopian illegal street takeovers also paralyzing intersections.