During an exclusive Fox News Channel interview, Baier and Pritzker clashed over the murder rate in his city. The anchor brought out research data to contest the governor’s on-air claim that Chicago isn’t even in the 30 American cities with the highest murder rates.

“Well, here’s a map –– most populous U.S. cities: 17.47 per 100,000 population. Chicago is number one over Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix, Los Angeles, New York and San Diego,” Baier told Pritzker.

TRUMP SLAMS PRITZKER ON CHICAGO CRIME; GOVERNOR’S REPORTED WEIGHT LOSS FUELS 2028 SPECULATION

Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Ill., and Fox News anchor Bret Baier clash over Chicago’s homicide data. (Breaking Tonight/Fox News Channel)

Baier began by discussing a Fox News crime map showing which of the top most populated U.S. cities have the highest murder rates.

“Why does Chicago have the highest murder rate of all the big cities?” he asked.

Pritzker replied by disputing that claim.

“Well, we are not in the top 30, in terms of our murder rate,” he said. Baier tried to go into the data, but Pritzker kept talking.

“Our murder rate has been cut in half over the last four years, and every year, it’s gone down by double digits. And if you look at all of the violent crime over the last four years, they’ve all gone down,” he said before Baier cut him off and read off Chicago’s number one ranking on his map.

DEMOCRATS HAVE LET CHICAGO CRIME RUIN EVERYTHING. TRUMP CAN HELP SAVE LIVES

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at the office of The Center for American Progress event March 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

According to a report from Illinois research nonprofit, Wirepoints, Chicago had the highest total number of murders in 2024 compared to all major U.S. cities in 2024, with 573 people killed that year alone. New York City came in second with 377, and Houston followed with 322 that same year.

Among all major U.S. cities for that year, the research group found that Chicago’s rate of 21.5 homicides per 100,000 people placed it at number six. The number one spot was St. Louis with 52.9 homicides per 100,000.

St. Louis is a much smaller city, which is why its murder rate was higher than Chicago’s in 2024, despite having five times less the number of total murders. The Missouri city saw 149 murders in 2024.

Though, like Baier’s data showed, the group noted that Chicago’s murder rate was the highest among the top 20 largest U.S. cities in 2024.

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks during a press conference in Chicago, Illinois, on August 25, 2025.  (KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

On Fox, Bret replied to Pritzker’s assertion that Chicago wasn’t even in the top 30 cities in terms of murder rate, suggesting the governor was talking about a different metric altogether.

“Now, you’re talking about violent crime,” the anchor said.

Pritzker attempted to dodge the point, saying, “Look, you can pull statistics up, I can too.”

Baier shot back, “No, no, no, these are murders.”

The governor replied, “I’m explaining to you, our murder rate has been cut in half and –– very importantly Bret –– you gotta hear this: very importantly, we’ve been doing the things that are necessary to bring crime down.”

Chicago Police preliminary data revealed that Chicago’s total number of murders from January to August 2025 is one-third lower compared to the same period last year.

Gabriel Hays is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. 

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Bailey, a Republican, and his wife Cindy announced the deaths of their son Zachary, his wife Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7, in a post on social media. A third child, Finn, was not in the helicopter and is alive, the statement said.

“Darren and Cindy are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. They are finding comfort in their faith, their family, and the prayers of so many who love and care for them,” Bailey’s campaign said in a statement.

“The Baileys deeply appreciate the kindness and support they have received and ask for privacy as they grieve and hold their loved ones close during this difficult time,” the statement continued.

TRUMP ADMIN MAKES SUPREME COURT PLEA FOR NATIONAL GUARD IN CHICAGO AFTER JUDGE DENIES ‘REBELLION’ CONCERN

Illinois gubernatorial hopeful Darren Bailey delivers remarks after receiving an endorsement from Donald Trump during a Save America Rally with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Adams County Fairgrounds on June 25, 2022, in Mendon, Illinois. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

The circumstances of the helicopter crash remain unknown. The National Transportation Safety Board announced on Thursday that it is investigating a helicopter crash in Ekalaka, Montana. It is unclear whether that is the same crash.

‘OPERATION MIDWAY BLITZ’: INSIDE DOJ’S PUSH TO TACKLE CRIME, ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN CHICAGO

Bailey is running to unseat Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. He previously served as a state senator in Illinois and lost a gubernatorial race to Pritzker in 2022.

Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey lost his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren in a helicopter crash in Montana on October 22, 2025. (Darren Bailey Campaign)

During that campaign, a Chicago man was charged with sending Bailey a death threat. Scott Lennox, 21, was charged with three felony offenses: threatening a public official, telephone harassment and harassment by electronic communications.

Lennox was accused of leaving Bailey a voicemail threatening to “mutilate and kill” the Republican, according to the Chicago Sun Times.

Darren Bailey debates Gov. JB Pritzker in 2022. (Ron Johnson/Illinois State University via AP, Pool)

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Illinois State Police discovered that Lennox allegedly had used his cellphone to make the threats, according to the Times. Chicago police said Lennox had admitted to making the threats.

Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.

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