Prairie State Wire

Ted Dabrowski, a candidate for Governor of Illinois, said that Chicago has recorded the highest total murders in the U.S. for 13 consecutive years. The statement was made on X.

"Chicago has led nation in total murders for 13 straight years," said Dabrowski.

Chicago's violent crime trends remain a focal point of political and public debate as the city attempts to reduce historically high homicide levels. According to AP News, in early 2025, murders fell by roughly one-third and shootings declined by nearly 40%, but overall crime remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic years. Local leaders have resisted federal proposals such as deploying the National Guard, calling them politically motivated and unnecessary.

Annual homicide totals in Chicago have shown sharp fluctuations over the past 13 years. Murders hit a low of 500 in 2019 before surging to 805 in 2021 during the pandemic. Numbers have since trended downward, with 715 in 2022, 621 in 2023, and approximately 581 in 2024, reflecting a gradual recovery from the spike, according to Wikipedia’s Crime in Chicago data.

Compared to other major U.S. cities, Chicago consistently reports among the highest murder counts, often outpacing both New York and Los Angeles. For seven consecutive years, the city recorded one of the highest homicide rates among large metropolitan areas with populations over one million, according to a 2025 analysis by the Center for Public Safety Initiatives.

Dabrowski is also president of the policy group Wirepoints and launched his Republican bid for Illinois governor in August 2025. Known for his fiscal policy advocacy, he is expected to use personal funds to fuel his campaign while highlighting issues like education reform, state finances, and crime. His candidacy announcement and platform were reported by Capitol News Illinois.