Chicago City Wire

Chicago has reported significant declines in violent crime during Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first two years in office. According to city data, the first six months of 2025 saw a 33% decrease in homicides and a 38% reduction in shootings compared to previous periods.

To address public safety, Mayor Johnson increased the number of detectives and reorganized the Chicago Police Department’s detective bureau. These changes led to a homicide clearance rate of 77.4%, which is the highest level seen in over ten years.

The administration also focused on addressing underlying causes of violence by doubling mental health professionals for crisis response, expanding youth summer employment by nearly half, and strengthening collaborations between police and community violence intervention groups.

Year-to-date statistics show overall violent crime down by 21.6%. Homicides fell by 32.3%, shooting incidents dropped by 37.4%, multi-victim shootings decreased by 44.6%, robberies declined by 31.9%, vehicular hijackings were reduced by 49%, and aggravated assaults fell by 18.1%.

For more information visit the City of Chicago’s Violence Reduction Dashboard.

Recent news coverage from local and national outlets highlights these trends:

- CBS2 Chicago reported that advocates are seeking to expand successful programs as violent crime falls.

- Bloomberg noted that murder rates have dropped in both Manhattan and Chicago.

- WTTW Chicago stated that shootings and homicides are both down more than 30% through the first half of this year.

- The Trace observed a sharp decline in July Fourth weekend shootings.

- WGN Chicago cited Mayor Johnson announcing the least violent Fourth of July weekend in six years.

- The Chicago Tribune indicated that violent crime levels have reached lows not seen in a decade during early 2025.

- PBS News described this period as historic for its drop in violent crime.

- FOX32 Chicago referenced data showing a one-third drop in homicides through mid-year.

- WBEZ Chicago reported April had fewer murders than any since 1962.

Additional articles from ABC7, CBS2, WTTW, and other outlets document ongoing reductions across various categories of crime throughout late 2023 into mid-2025.

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