Chicago Homicide Rates Fall to a 10-Year Low

The City of Chicago experienced 440 homicides from June 2025 to May 2026. This is a sharp drop from 544 in the prior year, and the 440 homicides are the lowest since May 2014. Beyond the decline in homicides, overall crime has been decreasing since it peaked during the pandemic in 2021.

Although the decline in crime cannot be directly tied to a specific change in city governance, some changes have been easing citywide wrongdoing. A large infusion of pandemic stimulus funding, some of which went to violence prevention organizations, has had a positive impact. In addition, Mayor Brandon Johnson and his office attempted to address the root causes of violence. Mayor Johnson doubled the number of mental health professionals responding to mental health calls, expanded youth summer employment by 47%, and enhanced partnerships between police and community violence intervention groups.

Despite dropping crime rates, many Chicagoans feel like crime is higher than the reported numbers. A University of Chicago study found that almost half of the individuals polled feel somewhat or very unsafe walking around Chicago neighborhoods at night. According to experts, part of the reason public perceptions of crime trends may not align with the data is that perceptions depend on where people live and the concentration of crime in their local communities.

A University of Chicago survey found that 62% of white residents feel safe walking around their neighborhood, while 36% of African Americans hold the same belief. Additionally, 64% of residents living in Chicago’s North Central region feel safe walking around their neighborhood at night compared to only 34% of South Side residents, 44% of Southwest Side residents, and 46% of West Side residents.

The City of Chicago specifically focuses on community-based investments and interventions to further reduce violence and promote safety. By strengthening collaboration among residents, the city can improve community perceptions of police and a sense of safety through proactive strategies that prevent crime and promote a safe community.

Crime does not define a city. Homicides are only a small portion of overall crime, but hitting a decade low is a great sign in a city with an unfortunate national reputation for lacking public safety.

For more information related to the City of Chicago legal sphere or criminal regulations, please contact the qualified attorneys at Rock Fusco & Connelly, LLC.