JB Pritzker Touts ‘Amazing Summer’ In Chicago — Despite Bodies Piling Up

Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker described Chicago’s summer as “amazing” on “Pod Save America” Thursday despite 123 murders taking place in the city in June, July and August, according to an analysis by WBEZ Chicago.

The number of murders in these months was the lowest since 1965, according to WBEZ, but they still represent well over one murder per day. Pritzker claimed on the podcast that President Donald Trump’s characterization of the city as a “hellhole” was unfounded, touting supposedly record-breaking tourism.

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“We’ve had truly an amazing summer. And I would point out we’ve had greater tourism than ever before in the history of Chicago and in the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said. “So the idea that people are continuing to come to Chicago to visit 🇺🇸US and yet somehow it’s a hellhole and crime-ridden, and people are wearing flak jackets, and murders are happening right and left around you — it’s ludicrous.”

“I recognize we’re a big city. We’ve had crime in the past. I think every big city’s had a wave of crime that they’ve had to deal with,” he added. “But four years ago to today, half the number of homicides in the city of Chicago … the state of Illinois, including the city, doesn’t rank in the bottom half in terms of violent crime. We’re 19th. I would like to be first, best, most, you know, safest. That would be first. We’re 19th safest.”

Moreover, at least 58 individuals were shot and eight were killed during Labor Day Weekend in Chicago,