Chicago Homicides Decline for 4th Straight Year

38 people slain in 2026 so far, continuing downward trend

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Chicago has seen a steady decline in homicides over the past four years, with 38 people killed so far in 2026 according to the latest data from the city. This continues a trend of decreasing violence after a spike during the pandemic in 2020-2021, followed by a focus on police accountability and community-based crime prevention efforts.

Why it matters

The reduction in homicides in Chicago is a positive sign for public safety in the city, which has long struggled with high levels of gun violence. The continued downward trend suggests that the city's efforts to address the root causes of crime and improve police-community relations may be having an impact.

The details

After a two-year spike in homicides during the pandemic, Chicago has seen a steady decline in killings, with 2025 marking the fourth consecutive year of decreasing homicide totals. So far in 2026, the city has recorded 38 homicides, continuing this downward trajectory. The homicide data does not include killings ruled as self-defense or other circumstances not counted in official police statistics.

  • Chicago homicide data is updated weekly, with the latest figures through February 6, 2026.
  • Homicides in Chicago peaked in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Since 2022, the city has seen a decline in homicides for four consecutive years.

The players

City of Chicago

The municipal government of Chicago, which releases daily updates on homicide data for the city.

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The takeaway

Chicago's sustained reduction in homicides over the past four years, despite a spike during the pandemic, suggests that the city's efforts to address the root causes of crime and improve police-community relations may be having a positive impact on public safety.