chicago crime tourism

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Crime and chaos downtown and beyond are keeping tourists away from Chicago, and experts say something has to change

By Tara Molina

May 18, 2022 / 11:55 AM CDT / CBS Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Such events as the chaos downtown that led to a deadly shooting right in the middle of Millennium Park have led people to cancel trips, meetings, and events in Chicago because they don't feel safe.

As CBS 2's Tara Molina reported Tuesday, hotel, restaurant, and city business operators have been hopeful for a great return this summer – the first summer since 2019 in which COVID-19 restrictions have not limited most options.

But Molina is told crime is keeping some away - and the city can't afford that.

"The Chicago economy can't afford for hotels to fail. It can't afford for tourism to go down," said Michael Jacobson, president of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association. "So that's why we need to figure out a solution to this problem."

Chicago shines in the summer – the glistening blue waters of Lake Michigan whether enjoyed from boat or beach, the lush greenery of the parks from Loyola to Calumet, Buckingham Fountain soaring into the evening sky, the Blues Festival, the Pride Parade, fireworks at Navy Pier. And summer, of course, is when tourism usually goes up in Chicago – for good reason.

But this past weekend, those picturesque images were replaced by video showing fights on downtown streets in the shadow of landmarks such as the Chase Tower, people throwing things at cars and jumping on them, and gunfire that took the life of 16-year-old Seandell Holliday life in front of the Cloud Gate sculpture – or the Bean – in Millennium Park.

This comes as crime numbers near an all-time high in the Loop. The tables below show violent crime trends for the year through May 9 compared with past years – first for the whole city, then for the Loop.

Thus, for some, this great summer city has lost its luster.

"Our main headwind right now is public safety," Jacobson said. "Unfortunately, we have seen both individual leisure travelers begin to cancel their hotel rooms for the next several weeks and months because of what they've been hearing on the news and seeing happen downtown. More concerning is we've even seen conferences pull out of Chicago all together for other cities in the Midwest."

And that's after downtown hotels were pummeled by the pandemic.

Thankfully, Jacobson says the recovery effort continues in Chicago – but still, Chicago is lagging behind other major U.S. cities when it comes to occupancy rates. From New York and Boston to Orlando and Atlanta, we're dead last.

In New York – a city with plenty of its own concerns about crime – hotel occupancy stood at 77.6 percent from May 1 through May 7. In Chicago, the figure was 57.3 percent.

"The gap between the recovery is starting to widen," Jacobson said.

And those public safety concerns – specifically with regard to continued crime in Chicago – are playing a role.

"There's no greater city to visit. It's a shame that because of a few hundred individuals that like to wreak havoc every weekend downtown has the potential to undercut our entire recovery," Jacobson said. "The crime is a problem we have to address."

This comes as all kinds of summer fun is back on the books - street fairs, concerts, farmers' markets, and all sorts of other events from one end of the city to the other. A total of 88 events are scheduled this month through September just at McCormick Place.

Molina is told industry leaders aren't losing all hope quite yet. But there are conversations happening now, as they call for city officials to work on new solutions before this gets any worse.

"We just need to lay down all of our egos, put the rhetoric aside, and come up with some creative solutions to this," Jacobson said. "The status quo isn't working."

He said the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association is doing its own part in that effort.

"Me and other business leaders have offered many times to come to the table and be a part of the solution," he said. "We have thousands of jobs available across Chicago right now. Getting some of these kids into these jobs, for the summer or long term, we have the ability to do that."

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced this week that she is moving the  weekend curfew  up to 10 p.m., and also restricting the times when unaccompanied minors may be in Millennium Park from Thursday to Sunday.

Michael Edwards, the President and CEO of the Chicago Loop Alliance, said the new restrictions on Millennium Park are a starting point to a solution:

"A safe and predictable Loop experience is vital to the security of all Chicagoans and visitors alike and remains essential to the continued recovery of our great city. The Loop is everyone's neighborhood, a place where we all gather. Our downtown is more than a corporate hub, but an arts and culture mecca and a residential haven, the fastest growing downtown in the U.S. The future of Everyone's Neighborhood depends on it being an accessible, safe, and equitable environment for the whole Loop and Chicago community. The new restrictions on Millennium Park are a starting point to the solution. The potential for future incidents that place the safety of people throughout the Loop at stake is not something we take lightly, and we look forward to engaging with Mayor Lightfoot, CPD, and the local community to ensure the resources are in place to restore civility and confidence in the Loop and the city of Chicago throughout the summer and establish increased safety for the Loop."

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for McCormick Place issued this statement about the overall tourism outlook and concerns about crime:

Tourism Outlook Summer tourism looks very promising. The latest forecast from  STR  for Spring- Summer (May – August) suggests room demand will be at 85% recovery of same period in pre-pandemic 2019, suggesting a good to very good season. Additionally, outside experts, like Expedia and World Travel & Tourism Council, are predicting a strong recovery. In Chicago, the momentum is strong. For example, we are seeing a lot of restaurant openings and re-openings, this is a good indicator for the industry. Our arts and cultural institutions have a number of great exhibits scheduled over the summer. There are also some unique events in Chicago this summer. For example, in June, United States Sail GP will be in Chicago for the first time at Navy Pier, and in July, the WNBA All Star Game will be in Chicago, also for the first time.  On the business front, we've had a strong start to meetings and events, and have a robust calendar ahead. Between May and September, at McCormick Place alone, there are 88 events scheduled, with almost 700,000 hotel room nights and economic impact of more than $1B. Crime The incident this weekend at Millennium Park is tragic. Sadly, crime is an issue for every urban destination, and this is not unique to Chicago. Post-COVID, cities across the country are dealing with the issue of violence in the center core. Travelers understand that large cities require a level of awareness and Chicago is fortunate to have a police department that collaborates with the tourism and hospitality community. We know that ensuring the safety of visitors and residents is a critical priority for the City. As an industry, we are committed to working with the City and Chicago Police Department to make sure that we address the issue of crime for all of our neighborhoods.

Tara Molina is a general assignment reporter for CBS2 Chicago.

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The 9 best crime tours of Chicago

Explore the seedy underbelly of Chicago on these fascinating crime tours

Chicago is well known for its towering architecture, amazing restaurants  and beautiful beaches , but the city also has a notorious history of Prohibition-era organized crime and violence. Some of Chicago’s most beautiful streets have dark pasts, and you can explore the oftentimes grisly history on a Chicago crime tour. Guides unearth the city’s darkest stories, and some of them even make stops at local restaurants and bars to help set the scene. While the tours may be a bit eerie, some can be experienced on your own schedule, whether in-person or virtually. Experience Chicago's history hidden in plain sight on the best Chicago crime tours.

RECOMMENDED: Check out the full guide to the best Chicago tours

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our   affiliate   guidelines .

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Best Chicago crime tours

1.  Chicago crime and mob tour

Follow in the footsteps of infamous gangsters like charming bank robber John Dillinger and Polish mobster Hymie Weiss on this bus tour. You’ll hear stories about the who’s who of Chicago organized crime, drive by a few murder locations and spot the historic courthouse where many criminals were thrown in the clink. 

Time Out tip:  Brush up on your crime knowledge for the post-tour quiz. 

2.  Untouchable Tours' original gangster tour

For more than 30 years, Untouchable Tours has been driving tourists back and forth across the city to see Chicago's more unconventional sights, including the staircase in front of a church that’s covering up bullet holes, and the empty lot where the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre took place. The two-hour tour features guides that take on the persona (and snappy garb) of ’20s gangsters. Guides tell the tales of prohibition-era Chicago and what it was like when gangsters like Al Capone, Bugs Moran and Hymie Weiss walked the streets.

Time Out tip:  One to book in advance for. 

3.  Gangsters and ghosts tour in Chicago

The towering skyscrapers and shining facade of Cloud Gate might make the Loop seem glitzy and glamorous, but it was once a hotspot for vice. In the ’20s and ’30s, this nabe was the epicenter of bootlegging and gangbanging in Chicago. Take a walking tour through the area to spy speakeasies, secret underground tunnels and maybe even a ghost or two.

Time Out tip: The meeting point is just outside the Wyndham Hotel – take that as our accommodation suggestion. 

4.  Vice, crime and gangsters in Chicago: A self-guided audio tour

There are endless upsides to taking tours of a city, but there are downsides as well—most notably, not being able to explore at your own pace. That’s not the case with the self-guided Vice, Crime and Gangsters in Chicago tour. The 31-stop audio tour starts at the Dusable Bridge and winds its way through notorious locations in the Loop and River North, including Chicago’s first vice district and the site of the Lager Beer Riot. It’s narrated by professor, urban historian and former journalist Richard Junger.

Time Out tip:  If you want to get familiar with your guide before the tour, have a skim-read of the books he's written on Chicago history. 

5.  Chicago night crimes tour

See the sites of grisly killings under the dark of night on this evening bus tour. You’ll visit the Biograph Theater where Dillinger met his end, the site of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and other infamous locations. The bus even stops at a few historic watering holes like Harry Caray's so you can raise a glass to the city's dearly departed criminals.

Time Out tip: Don't worry about trying to snap pics from the window of the bus – photo stops will be granted. 

6.  Lincoln Park hauntings ghost investigation tour

On the surface, ghost tours and crime tours are two separate entities. But how does one become a ghost? Death. And how does someone’s death become notable enough to end up on a tour? It’s got to have some sort of criminal element, right? This ghost investigation tour is led by a paranormal investigator who takes guests through some of the eeriest locales in Lincoln Park, including the site of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. It also offers an opportunity to use paranormal activity-detecting equipment to help you determine if you just saw a ghost or a very exhausted DePaul student.

Time Out tip:  Keep your eyes peeled for the Victorian woman in white at Lincoln Park Zoo. 

7.  Private Al Capone gangster tour

Al Capone’s trademark look – thick eyebrows, jaunty hat, heavy overcoat and a cigar hanging from his lips – became the basis of the stereotype of the mafia man. Capone got his start in New York as a member of the Five Points Gang before founding the Chicago Outfit and wreaking havoc on the Midwestern city. Follow in his nefarious footsteps on this tour around the city in a private town car – in true mafioso style.

Time Out tip: Get a team of five together to get the best value group ticket. 

8.  Private Chicago Mafia and Blues Evening Tour

After a long night of making dirty deals and plotting the downfall of their enemies, Chicago mobsters used to unwind with some booze and live music at a mafia-friendly bar. You’ll do the same on this private guided tour that hits several historic landmarks before stopping for a drink at a bar formerly owned by Capone himself.

Time Out tip:  Plan this tour around a big night out, as it's a great way to get the party started before hitting the town when everyone's parted ways. 

9.  The Devil in the White City Tour

In addition to a thriving mob community, Chicago was also home to one of the country’s first known serial killers: H. H. Holmes. The insurance scammer and con man lured hundreds of people to the three-story hotel that would later be known as the Murder Castle: a labyrinth of trap doors, peepholes, dead-end stairways, gas chambers and crematorium that he used to murder his victims and dispose of their remains. To this day, authorities still don’t know how many people he might have killed. Learn the disturbing facts of the case on a Weird Chicago walking and bus tour.

Time Out tip: There's a restroom on board – always a win. 

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Home » North America » Chicago

Is Chicago SAFE for Travel? (2024 • Insider Tips)

Famous for its life-changing deep dish pizza, sports teams, and thriving nightlife is none other than Chicago, one of the USA’s most popular cities that sits along the coast of Lake Michigan.

Yet despite having so much to offer tourists, Chicago is also known for its crime and was the one-time stomping ground of infamous gangster Al Capone. Petty crime is one issue, but some of the city’s residential areas are hotspots for gang-related crime which has led to some alarming statistics.

You would be forgiven for having some reservations about visiting.

To give you some peace of mind, we’ve put together this huge guide to safety in Chicago – full of everything you need to answer the question “is Chicago safe”… because spoiler alert: the answer is yes!

So let’s get right into everything you need to know to have a problem-free time in ChiTown.

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

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There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, as things change quickly. The question of “How dangerous is Chicago?” will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on who you ask.

The information in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing. If you use our guide, do your own research, and practice common sense, you will probably have a wonderful and safe trip to Chicago.

If you see any outdated information, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. Otherwise, stay safe friends!

Updated December 2023

How Dangerous Is Chicago Right Now?

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According to Choose Chicago, About 48.86M tourists reportedly visited Chicago in 2022 . It’s safe to say they all had a blast with their visit.

Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States and is a popular destination for US travelers . It’s a cultural hub of the Midwest region and the biggest city in Illinois, but has been regarded by many as one of the most dangerous cities in America.

However, Chicago is a city of two halves: one is the vibrant metropolis with its museums, parks, and amazing dining scene; the other is much poorer and affected by crime and gangs.

So if you’re wondering “how dangerous is Chicago?” the answer is that anywhere you’d actually plan to go as a tourist is safe and secure. The violent crime you hear about on the news happens in neighborhoods that are far away from tourist hotspots .

Check out our detailed where to stay guide for Chicago so you can start your trip right!

When choosing where you’ll be staying in Chicago, a bit of research and caution is essential. You don’t want to end up in a sketchy area and ruin your trip. To help you out, these are the safest places in Chicago:

• The Loop : This is where you’ll find the city’s most popular attractions like “The Bean,” as well as many varying restaurants. This is the tourist center of Chicago with great access to public transport.
• Lincoln Park : This northside neighborhood has a number of engaging museums, and Chicago’s largest and most well-known park by the same name. This area is pricy, but extremely safe.
• River North : Well-liked among young professionals, River North is where you’ll be (safely) in the midst of all the action. Lively bars, restaurants, and lounges will be within walking distance.

Places to Avoid in Chicago

Unfortunately, Chicago does have a high crime rate in some parts of the city. Here are some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city that you should always stay away from:

• West Garfield Park : As the most dangerous neighborhood in the city, crime is 257% higher in West Garfield Park than the city average and 409% more than the national average.
• Washington Park : A part of the notorious South Side of Chicago along the Dan Ryan Expressway.
• Englewood : Another high-crime locale of Chicago, you’re looking at a crime rate more that’s more than 200% of the national average.
• East Garfield Park : Crime is nearly 300% the national average in East Garfield as the neighborhood is teeming with gang activity and violent crimes.

No matter where you are in Chicago, be more careful after dark. If a street looks dodgy – avoid! Don’t wander off alone and if possible, grab a taxi or Uber to get from A to B.

Keeping your money safe in Chicago

 One of the most common things to happen to you whilst travelling is losing your money. And let’s face it: the most annoying way for this to actually occur is when it’s stolen from you.

Petty crime is pretty much a problem all over the world.The best solution? Get a money belt.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt  except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

As we have said already, traveling in Chicago is pretty safe. Still, you should know how to keep safe if you’re planning on going, so here are a few pointers.

• Keep your belongings close to you – There are a high number of thefts that do happen, so it’s important to keep anything valuable close to your person and hidden from sight
• Don’t walk around with expensive electronics and jewelry – Not that it will put you in immediate risk, but the more conspicuous you look, the more you could be targeted
• Limit the amount of money you carry around with you – The more you have, the more you could lose. Get your hands on a money belt to hide it.
• Always keep an emergency stash of cash – Never keep all your cards/ currency in one place. And hide it all from thieves with a hidden money belt .
• Pay attention to your surroundings – Thieves operate especially on public transport, the Pedway, around transit hubs, and popular tourist sites, so be vigilant in these places
• Be careful around ATMs – It’s best to use them in malls and in banks during the day
• Avoid blindly following Google Maps – Finding a hole-in-the-wall eatery in a less central neighborhood? Following maps may take you on a “shortcut” through potentially sketchy areas, so consider Uber-ing.
• Don’t resist if someone tries to mug you – Just hand everything over; your wallet is not worth getting potentially injured
• Keep an eye on your luggage – It’s not worth the risk to leave it unattended anywhere, even in hotel lobbies.
• Take care around the Loop at night – Though safe to, it can empty out after business hours when office workers go home and certain areas can feel isolated (notably west of State Street).
• Walk with purpose – Try not to look like a lost tourist. Looking like you know where you’re going, even if you don’t, is better than appearing vulnerable and open to touts, scams, or street crime
• Weed is legal in Chicago, but – Do your research on where you can purchase and where is free to smoke
• Stay away from illegal drugs – Weed may be legal, but nothing else is. Fentanyl is also a big issue in US cities these days, so it’s best to stay away.
• Take a good medical kit with you – you never know when you might need it!
• Don’t walk around with open alcohol – It’s against the law, but Millennium Park and some other places are ok–take note of what other people are doing around you.
• Be aware of Chicago’s homeless population – Often a feature around transit hub (Union Station, for example), this shouldn’t pose too much of a threat, but it’s best to stay on more populated streets.
• Prepare for the weather – Do try to plan your Chicago itinerary between May-October. The city gets seriously freezing, with average lows in winter of 17 degrees Fahrenheit (-8.3 degrees Celsius).

Solo travel anywhere in the world is an amazing prospect: you get to travel around on your own time, and challenge yourself while you do it. On the other hand, we know as well as anybody else that solo travel can also be daunting.

However, even though being alone in a major city can get lonely, solo travel in Chicago will give you plenty of opportunities to meet new people. Here are some tips:

• Research your accommodation before you go. There are a lot of hotels and budget-friendly accommodations to stay in, but just know that Chicago is huge; picking the right area for you is key.
• Ask for local insight . The staff at your hotel, the hostel owner, or even a friend who might have some great tips on where it’s safe to walk around, where you should be keeping away from, and what recommendations they have on what’s good to do in the city as a solo traveler.
• Try not to make yourself a target. This means avoiding things like carrying your phone in your hand 24/7 , leaving it on a table in a coffee shop, or dangling your bag on a chair.
• It is ok to join a tour ! Guided walking tours around the top sights, a food tour , or a bar crawl – these are all good ways to see the city safely while socializing with other people at the same time.
• Do not party too hard . Chicago has great nightlife, especially when it comes to jazz and blues bars, but it doesn’t mean you have to get really drunk – or dabble in a lot of weed – you could put yourself at risk of being in a dangerous situation, or simply not find your way back to your accommodation. Being too intoxicated means bad decisions.
• Make sure you have different ways to access your money . Leave some emergency cash somewhere in your bag, have two separate bank accounts and two different cards that you can use (don’t keep them together), and think about an emergency credit card. Keeping everything in one place is not sensible; imagine your wallet going missing with all your cash and cards in it!
• Keep in contact with your friends and family and make sure someone knows your itinerary and where you’re staying. Even if it’s just a weekend trip , stay in contact with your people!

Many solo female travelers have an amazing time visiting Chicago every single year.

Cities are cities though, and like many of them all around the world, spending time in Chicago can pose more of a risk to women by themselves than to men.

Here are some solo female-specific tips for your Chicago trip:

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times , so things like checking your maps regularly, texting while walking, aren’t smart; stay alert, even in daylight hours.
• It is a good idea to dress to fit in . Depending on what you do in the city, you’ll want to dress for the occasion – a night out is different from a walk in the park, for example – but dressing down is probably better than dressing up.
• If you want to go out drinking and dancing – by yourself – then make sure you do research on the venue before you go there.
• Plan your route home if you are out after dark. Know how to get back: will you be getting a taxi? An Uber? Is it a safe district to walk through?
• Do not be afraid to say no to people if you are in a situation that is making you feel awkward or uncomfortable. Remove yourself from the situation.
• Find yourself a group of friends to have fun in the city with. You can find like-minded ladies to meet up with through things like Couchsurfing, or Facebook groups like Girls Love Travel or Host A Sister; even if you don’t meet up, online communities like this can help you with advice.
• It is imperative that you research your accommodation options thoroughly . Read what other women have said before you about your options, and go with somewhere well-reviewed that suits your travel style.
• Let people know your travel plans . From simply telling the staff at your hostel what you plan to do for the day, to sharing your itinerary with a good friend or family member back home, it is safer that people know where you are and what you’re up to than not at all.
• If you are worried about wandering around Chicago by yourself, then you should consider hiring a guide or joining a tour . It is a good way to see the city safely and learn things about it at the same time.

The Loop/Downtown

The Loop, or Downtown Chicago, is arguably the most popular area. With plenty of attractions and things to see, it’s a great place to stay for your first visit. As long as you stay aware of your surroundings, it’s a very safe area as well.

Downtown Chicago is a fantastic city for a family break. There is so much packed into Chi Town that you and your children will surely never get bored and have an awesome time.

As an example of just how kid-friendly this city is, Chicago even hosts Kidzapalooza, the child-friendly of the famous music festival Lollapalooza!

If you are going on a boat trip on Lake Michigan or any one of the Great Lakes, make sure that the boat in question has child-sized life jackets and safety equipment available.

Depending on what season you travel to Chicago in, you will need to pack for the weather. In the winter, from November to March, the weather can bring freezing conditions, so layers and making sure everyone’s wrapped up warm is important – as are the potential hazards of getting around a city that’s so cold with children in tow.

You should be fine taking Chicago’s public transport with children. In fact, children aged 7 and under can ride on the L Train and public buses for free; children will love the L, an elevated train that runs through the city.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

The Windy City’s top tourist areas are very walkable, and cycling in Chicago is becoming more and more popular. Overall, public transport in Chicago is safe . The iconic L-train is most likely what you’ll use as a tourist, but if you’re staying outside the city, the Metra services Chicago’s suburbs.

Driving in Chicago is definitely NOT something we recommend. Break-ins do happen frequently, and driving in a city filled with thousands of vehicles and even more pedestrians is definitely not fun.

The Chicago buses are also safe for the most part, though do try to avoid them after dark as they tend to be more sketchy than other types of public transit.

Uber is another popular way to get around this big city. Safer and less scammy than old-school taxis, the only thing you’ll want to make sure of is that your driver’s license plate matches the one on the app. Though rare, fake driver schemes have led to crimes around the country.

Chicago isn’t just one city–it’s two, all with crime statistics as varied as two separate countries. The safest places in Chicago like The Loop and Lincoln Park have relatively low crimes rates. But the areas that lead to its “Chiraq” nickname keep the overall amount of violent crime high.

Chicago had 695 murders in 2022 , down from 804 in 2021, however, this is still not the highest rate in the United States. Thefts on the other hand are up–with 20,194 cases registered in 2022 compared to 12,978 in 2021. Pickpocketing is definitely a threat anywhere, but one you can stay on top of by keeping valuables out of reach.

Overall, you do have a higher risk than average of being involved in a violent crime in ChiTown, but data can’t always paint the entire picture. If you stick to tourist spots and other known safe zones, you shouldn’t have any problems.

Laws in Chicago

You shouldn’t have to worry too much about the laws in Chicago–though if you’re into weed, you’ll be happy to know that it is recreationally available for anyone 21 and over! This doesn’t mean you can smoke on the sidewalk though–that’s an easy way to get an expensive fine.

Everyone’s packing list is going to look a little different, but here are a few things I would never want to travel to Chicago without…

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

Yesim stands as a premier eSIM service provider, catering specifically to the mobile internet needs of travellers.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Here are some quick answers to common questions about safety in Chicago.

What are the safest places in Chicago?

The Loop , Lincoln Park , and River North are three of the safest places in Chicago. Magnificent Mile and Wicker Park are two more secure neighborhoods.

Is Chicago safe at night?

Chicago is generally safe at night, but it’s best to avoid walking around by yourself. Stick to well-lit areas and travel in groups if you can, and base yourself in safe Chicago neighborhoods.

Is Chicago safe for female solo travelers?

Chicago is as safe for female solo travellers as any city. If you are by yourself, it’s good practice to keep an eye on your surroundings and avoid walking alone late at night.

How dangerous is Chicago?

Yes and no. The city’s tourist areas are very safe overall, but areas like Garfield Park (East and West), Englewood, and South Chicago should be avoided no matter what. There is no way you would accidentally end up in such places though, so your overall risk level is low.

Is Chicago safe to live?

These days Chicago is a safe place to live. Many people do live and work here every day, of course, and whilst there are some neighborhoods that see relatively high rates of violence and crime, most are absolutely safe.

To put it simply: yes, Chicago is safe, as long as you stay within known tourist areas.

Luckily, I think you’ll be pretty satisfied with all the incredible museums, lakeside beaches and foodie favorites such areas have to offer!

Art and history lovers will adore the many museums, and nature enthusiasts will enjoy how easy it is to get to beaches and quiet spots away from the city.

Yes, Chicago does have a reputation for being a dangerous city, but the odds are you won’t see why firsthand.

So continue on with trip planning, and have the absolute best time. Deep-dish pizza awaits!

Looking for more info on traveling to Chicago?

• Let me help you choose where to stay in Chicago
• Swing by one of these fabulous festivals
• Don’t forget to add an epic national park to your itinerary
• Check out my favorite Airbnbs in the centre of all the action
• Plan the rest of your trip with our fantastic backpacking Chicago travel guide!

Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Do your own research. Enjoy your travels!

Aiden Freeborn

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The most comprehensive and complete listing of crime in Chicago can be found on a website called heyjackass . com

I am happy to read James’ 4/17 post, as it affirms what we have been hearing. We are planning a trip to the Indiana Dunes and are concerned about going thru our old home town, which we left 30 years ago. When we left, it was still a great city and we never were afraid to commute downtown to work or enjoy the city. Growing up, attending the public schools, etc. was great and never lacking; yes, we got great educations leading to terminal degrees. Also did the marathon in 2005 and it was still good. Now, am concerned about getting anywhere near the city with our out-0f-state lic plates. We watch the news and it’s horrible….let alone, how the citizens can elect the new mayor…is this for real? Who voted? Anyone else want to comment on current situation?

This weekend, the police had to escort tourists in downtown Chicago back to their hotels (from these so-called safe tourist spots). If something happens to you, don’t count on the police to help you either in any significant way or to prosecute the offenders. The mayor even came to the defense of the teenagers that were smashing stuff and jumping on tourist vehicles and causing mayhem. My wife and I used to live in downtown Chicago, where we started our family. Then we moved to the suburbs. There were carjackings on the street we lived on last year in downtown Chicago, right off the Mag-Mile. We’ve now left the state after two years of not feeling safe going downtown, our favorite thing to do for over a decade. Why stay anywhere near Chicago when there are better and safer places to live that are family-friendly? Even the suburbs started to get hit with robberies and carjackings, a regular occurrence over the last few years. Why visit Chicago and risk getting mugged, carjacked, or robbed? Why stress and be looking over your shoulder the whole time, risking witnessing something you shouldn’t in any normal circumstance? The majority of people we know in and around Chicago are trying to figure out how to get out as well; they are fed up. Those we know that are staying are staying because of their jobs, deep family roots in the community, or clinging to their slowly eroding Chicago loyalties, just hanging on to the hope of a turnaround. A friend of mine who works downtown and has lived in and around Chicago most of his life with his family told me recently he doesn’t feel safe walking the streets anymore, even in broad daylight and definitely after the sun goes down. I do hope Chicago turns around, but I fear it won’t happen anytime soon. Many of the stores, restaurants, and other places we used to go downtown are closed as well, many permanently, which reinforced our decision to leave.

Thank you for your honest review! I’ve lived in downtown Chicago for several years and can assure people that it’s a good place to visit. I never feel in danger. It’s true that some neighborhoods are dangerous, so avoid them. But downtown is pleasant.

Was recently in Chicago and had my wallet stolen while the in Fulton Market area. When talking to the manager of the establishment where it happened she stated that there’s been an increase in pick pocket incidents recently. Feel this is a safe area but take extra care protecting your wallet/purse/ cell phone.

You said Chicago is safe to visit. Where have you been? Chicago is one of the most dangerous cities in the USA. It’s pretty bad that Bogotá, Colombia is safer now than Chicago . I was safer in Bogotá than Chicago.

Your article is excellent!! Chicago native here. Only addition I would insert is a full list of dangerous neighborhoods. I cannot explore areas I’ve lived in due to the current crime rate. I can’t “go home” I must keep moving to safer areas.

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Chicago Safety: Am I Safe to Travel to Chicago, IL in 2024?

Planning a trip to Chicago, where culture, architecture, and deep-dish pizza draw millions, safety concerns due to crime rates may arise.

Rest assured, Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own character and safety levels. While some areas are best explored with caution, many parts of the city are as safe as your hometown. In this guide, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of navigating Chicago's streets safely, ensuring your visit is both enjoyable and secure.

Key Takeaways

• Chicago's Safety Landscape: The city's crime rates vary by neighborhood, with Lincoln Park and the Near North Side being among the safest areas due to their low crime rates and active communities. Despite headlines, many parts of Chicago are as safe as any other major city when proper precautions are taken.
• Crime Statistics and Trends: While certain crimes like homicides and motor vehicle thefts saw a slight increase from 2020 to 2021, burglaries have decreased. Being aware of these statistics helps in making informed decisions about where and how to navigate the city safely.
• Staying Safe: Key safety tips for visiting Chicago include familiarizing yourself with the city's layout, being cautious on public transportation, and planning routes in advance. Engaging with local communities can also provide valuable insights into safer areas and times for exploring.
• Emergency Preparedness: In case of an emergency, knowing the number for immediate assistance (911 for emergencies, 311 for non-emergencies) and the location of nearby key facilities like hospitals can significantly enhance your safety and response time.
• Enhanced Public Safety Measures: The city has implemented increased police presence in certain areas and invested in community programs to reduce violence, indicating a proactive approach toward enhancing public safety for residents and tourists alike.
• Community Engagement: Participating in community events in neighborhoods known for their safety can not only enrich your visit but also offer additional safety tips and insights from locals, showcasing the importance of community in maintaining safe environments.

Understanding Chicago's Crime Statistics

When planning a trip to Chicago, it's wise to look at the cold, hard numbers to get a realistic picture of safety. While the news often highlights the city's struggle with crime, understanding the specifics can help you navigate your visit wisely.

These numbers reveal trends in Chicago's crime rates, indicating a slight increase in homicides and motor vehicle thefts from 2020 to 2021, while burglaries have decreased. Nonetheless, these statistics should not deter you. Chicago remains a thriving metropolis with vast areas considered very safe for residents and tourists alike.

Crime rates can fluctuate significantly between neighborhoods. Areas such as Lincoln Park and the Near North Side are known for their lower crime rates compared to more central locations. It's all about staying informed and making educated decisions on where you choose to spend your time in the city.

In addition, the City of Chicago has taken robust measures to enhance public safety, including increased police presence in hotspots and investment in community programs aimed at reducing violence. Tourists are unlikely targets for serious crimes if they take the usual precautions such as being mindful of their surroundings and avoiding less densely populated areas after dark.

Knowledge of Chicago's crime statistics isn't just about understanding the risks—it's about empowering yourself to experience the city confidently and securely. By keeping these figures in mind and planning accordingly, you can ensure your stay is both enjoyable and safe.

Safest Neighborhoods in Chicago

When you're planning your trip to Chicago, knowing where you can feel most at ease is crucial. Chicago's safest neighborhoods stand out for their low crime rates, vibrant community engagement, and numerous safety initiatives. Let’s dive into the areas where safety isn't just a priority but a way of life.

Lincoln Park often tops the list for both residents and visitors seeking tranquility amidst the city's hustle. Renowned for its sprawling namesake park, this neighborhood offers not just natural beauty but a strong sense of community. With low crime rates compared to the city average, you’re more likely to worry about which cafe to try than your personal safety.

The Near North Side is another gem for those prioritizing safety. It's a mixed-use haven where residential areas blend seamlessly with commercial spaces, making it alive and active at most times of the day. This constant activity naturally deters crime, making it a secure spot for tourists to explore Chicago’s rich architecture and history.

Besides these, Lakeview and the Loop also rank high for safety, thanks to their active neighborhood watch programs and the strategic deployment of law enforcement officers.

Engaging with locals through community events in these areas can provide further insights and tips for a safe stay in Chicago. Plus, these neighborhoods boast some of the city's best attractions, dining, and entertainment options, proving that you don't have to compromise on experience for a secure visit.

Remember, staying vigilant and informed is key to making the most of your Chicago adventure.

Tips for Staying Safe in Chicago

While exploring Chicago, it's crucial to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. The city is bustling with cultural activities and events, but like any major city, it has its share of safety concerns. Here are practical tips to ensure you enjoy what Chicago has to offer while keeping safety in mind.

First and foremost, familiarize yourself with the city. Chicago is a tapestry of neighborhoods, each with its vibe and levels of safety. The Loop , known for its iconic architecture and shopping, is bustling by day but can feel different at night. In contrast, neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and the Near North Side pride themselves on low crime rates and community vigilance.

Public transportation is convenient but stay cautious, especially at night. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers extensive bus and train services. While incidents on the CTA are rare, staying aware of your belongings and surroundings is advisable. Avoid using your phone distractedly and always keep your bag or purse secure.

Here's a snapshot of Chicago Crime Statistics :

Understanding these figures can help you take proactive measures in safeguarding yourself. For instance, exploring with friends or in groups during the evening can significantly reduce the risk of assault.

Engaging with local communities can also offer insights into safer areas and times to wander. Chicagoans are proud of their city and often willing to share personal safety tips or recommend neighborhoods that are welcoming to visitors.

Lastly, don't underestimate the power of planning. Use maps and apps to plan your routes in advance. Whether you're walking or using public transport, knowing your way can prevent you from ending up in less safe areas unintentionally.

Staying informed and adopting a cautious approach will make your Chicago visit as safe as it is enjoyable. Remember, awareness is your best defense in any big city.

What to Do in Case of an Emergency

In an emergency, your immediate actions can make a significant difference. Chicago's emergency services are equipped and ready to assist, but knowing what to do can expedite help when you need it most.

First and foremost, if you're in a life-threatening situation, dial 911 . This is the universal emergency number across the United States, including Chicago. When you call, be as clear and concise as possible about your location and the nature of the emergency. The city's emergency operators are trained to deal with a wide range of situations, from crimes in progress to medical emergencies.

Should you find yourself a victim of theft or assault, after ensuring your safety, it's crucial to report the incident to the local police. For non-emergency situations, you can contact the Chicago Police Department at 311 . Reporting crimes helps the authorities to take appropriate actions and also aids in crime analysis and prevention efforts in the community.

In the event of a health emergency, Chicago boasts several world-class hospitals and emergency centers. Key facilities include the Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the University of Chicago Medical Center. If you're unable to reach a hospital on your own, calling 911 will prompt dispatch of an ambulance equipped with necessary medical supplies and personnel to provide immediate assistance.

For tourists and visitors unfamiliar with the area, it's wise to have a basic plan in place. Know the addresses and phone numbers of the nearest embassy or consulate, hospital, and local police station relative to your accommodation. Additionally, many hotels and hostels offer emergency information and assistance for their guests.

By preparing yourself with this vital information, you can navigate emergencies more effectively, ensuring your safety and the well-being of others around you.

Understanding the safety landscape of Chicago is crucial for both residents and visitors. Armed with the right knowledge and emergency contacts you're better prepared to navigate the city safely. Remember it's not just about avoiding risks but also knowing how to respond if you find yourself in an unexpected situation. Stay alert stay informed and make your Chicago experience a positive and safe one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should i do in an emergency situation in chicago.

In case of an emergency in Chicago, immediately dial 911 for urgent assistance. This is crucial for life-threatening situations or when someone's safety is at risk.

How do I report a theft or assault in Chicago?

To report a theft or assault, contact your local police department directly. It’s important to provide all the relevant details to ensure proper assistance and documentation of the incident.

What steps should I take for a health emergency?

For health emergencies, promptly call emergency services or head to the nearest hospital. Having a list of emergency contacts, like local hospitals and clinics, can be incredibly helpful.

Why is having a basic emergency plan important?

Having a basic emergency plan is essential for personal safety. It ensures you know what to do and who to contact during emergencies, reducing panic and confusion.

Where can I find a list of essential emergency contacts in Chicago?

The article provides a comprehensive list of essential emergency contacts in Chicago, including police stations, hospitals, and other emergency services, for easy and quick reference.

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The 11 Best Crime Tours in Chicago

Chicago is one of the best cities in the US for people who love dark history. But, at the same time, Chicago is known for its music scene, stunning art deco architecture, delicious deep-dish pizza and the bean! 

However, Chicago is also known for its dark past during the prohibition and is tied to some of the most infamous mobsters and gangsters, including Al Capone and John Dillinger.

Head out on the town and take one go on a Chicago Mob Tour to learn all the seedy details about Chicago’s Prohibition era. Then, visit some of Chicago’s most iconic areas that Chicago’s gangsters frequented during the roaring ‘20s by taking one of the best crime tours in Chicago.

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Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in Chicago

Step back in time by following a historian tour guide on the Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in Chicago . The tour takes you back to the 1920s when the Chicago Loop was the hangout of the infamous gangster Al Capone.

During the prohibition, The Loop was the breeding ground for criminal activities, including illegal speakeasy saloons, secret underground tunnels, bootleggers and the headquarters for gangsters.

The Chicago gangster tour will take you to sites that gangsters frequented, including the Congress Hotel, Millennium Park, Death Alley, and the Palmer House, Chicago’s oldest hotel rumoured to be haunted.

The tour is one of the best Crime tours in Chicago, as it has a great mix of Gangsters and ghosts, so it is perfect for people who love both. I took the tour with tour guide Alan, and he was incredibly engaging and enthusiastic.

This tour is perfect for locals and visitors to Chicago. You will leave learning something new! I highly recommend taking this tour if you want to learn more about Chicago’s dark history and all about Chicago’s prohibition era.

Book here: Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in Chicago

Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour

The Chicago Crime and Mob Tour carts you around areas frequented by Chicago mobsters like Al Capone, The Untouchables, Hymie Weiss, and John Dillinger.

The Chicago mob tour visits the Holy Name Cathedral, Biography Theatre, and the site where the Bloody St. Valentine’s Day Massacre occurred. If you are interested in Chicago’s mob history, this is the tour for you as you will hear thrilling stories about gangsters, violence and crime as you are taken around Chicago.

This tour is one of Chicago’s best Mafia and prohibition tours as it visits Frank Nitti’s vault hideout. In addition, you will visit a mob museum and historic bootlegging tunnels, where you will see safes used by mobsters in the 1920s.

Book here: Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour

Chicago: Gangsters and Ghosts 2-Hour Walking Tour

The Chicago: Gangsters and Ghosts 2-Hour Walking tour is a history-based Chicago gangster tour that is perfect for people who love all things spooky! The tour is all about ghosts, gangsters and their perspective of Chicago.

This tour takes you through the Chicago Riverwalk, The Chicago Theatre, Palmer House, Cloud Gate, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center. You will hear tales of Chicago’s dark history at each stop from a historian guide.

You will find out how Al Capone ran his empire and learn about all of the crazy happenings that occurred at Al Capone’s headquarters. In addition, you will visit all of the haunted places in Chicago and hear about the ghosts that still haunt each site.

This is a family-friendly tour, and the tour guides are fun, enthusiastic and ensure the tour is exciting and unforgettable!

Book here: Chicago: Gangsters and Ghosts 2-Hour Walking Tour

Chicago Night Crimes Bus Tour

Explore the dark side of the windy city by taking the Chicago Night Crimes Bus Tour . The Chicago mob tour explores the lives of monsters and gangsters such as Frank Nitti, Bugs Moran and Al Capone. The tour has a great pace as you are taken around Chicago’s gangster-related locations.

The tour visits local pubs like the Burwood Tap and Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse. The Chicago Night Crimes Bus Tour passes by places like Water Tower Place, North Avenue Beach, Lincoln Park, Biograph Theatre, Oz Park, Marina City, and Holy Name Cathedral. You will visit some of the sites where the most infamous criminal acts took place back during the prohibition.

What makes this one of the Best Gangster Tours in Chicago? You get to relax on a warm bus heading to the following location, which is perfect on those cold Chicago nights. 

Book here: Chicago Night Crimes Bus Tour

Untouchable Tours Chicago’s Original Gangster Tour

Take a minibus back in time on the Orginal Gangster Tour to Chicago in the 1920s by visiting the hangouts of mobsters like Moran, Dillinger and Capone. 

You will hear all about the details of their haunts at sites like the Biograph Theater, Holy Name Cathedral, and St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. The tour takes you to about 10 locations connected to Chicago’s most infamous gangsters.

This tour is loads of fun and definitely one of the best Crime tours in Chicago because you will hear lots of history and comedy from a costumed guide. 

The Untouchable Tours Chicago’s Original Gangster Tour is excellent for older kids and adults. The guides are absolutely fantastic and super engaging.

If you are looking for a small group sized Chicago gangster tour, this is the crime tour for you as they have a max of 8 travellers!

Book here: Untouchable Tours Chicago’s Original Gangster Tour

1920s Chicago Walking Tour: Art Deco, Flappers, Gangsters, and Prohibition

Step back to the roaring 20s on the 1920s Chicago Walking Tour and see some of Chicago’s gorgeous hidden gems. You will explore all of the Art Deco architecture that lines the city now and shows you how glitzy and glamorous Chicago was during the prohibition.

The walking tour explores the exteriors and interiors of buildings that were once the hotspots for flappers, jazz musicians, speakeasies and the notorious gangsters who would spend time in each location.

You will also visit an old gangster headquarters where you will see photos, newspaper clippings and a vault that Al Capone and other gangsters used. You will also visit “The Loop,” which is in downtown Chicago and the site of Chicago’s spectacular art deco buildings.

Book here: 1920s Chicago Walking Tour: Art Deco, Flappers, Gangsters, and Prohibition

Vice, Crime and Gangsters in Chicago: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Do you want to go on all of the Crime tours in Chicago but don’t want to spend time with other people? Same. You can do that by taking the Vice, Crime and Gangsters in Chicago Self-Guided Audio Tour !

The self-guided tour takes you to sites like the DuSable Bridge, Chicago River, Franklin-Orleans Street Bridge, Chicago Riverwalk, and Wrigley Building. 

In addition, you can take your time exploring Chicago’s local haunts of the prohibition era’s infamous gangsters. If you want to do the whole tour in real-time, it will take at least 75 minutes.

The audio tour provides you with tales of Chicago’s dark history and the opium trade with the sweet sounds of urban historian Richard Junger’s voice.

Book here: Vice, Crime and Gangsters in Chicago: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Lincoln Park Hauntings Ghost Investigation Tour

Do you love ghost tours but want to dig a little bit deeper? Spend the evening with a paranormal investigator looking for all the ghosts haunting Chicago’s dark streets on the Lincoln Park Hauntings Ghost Investigation Tour .

You will visit the old City Cemetery, Couch Tomb and Lincoln Park, where you will hear about the history of the Great Fire of 1871 and more.

This is the perfect tour for people who want to go on one of the Crime tours in Chicago but want a paranormal twist. Plus, you will get the chance to use paranormal equipment and try to contact the spirits yourself!

Tour guide Tony is phenomenal and will go into great detail about all things Chicago during the prohibition and beyond.

Book here: Lincoln Park Hauntings Ghost Investigation Tour

Sin and Suds Chicago Beer Tour

Do you want to spend a few hours exploring Chicago on a gangster-themed beer tour? Then, head out on the town with the Sins and Suds Chicago Beer Tour . 

You will visit Chicago’s Loop and South Loop neighbourhoods sipping on the best beer and pizza Chicago offers while hearing the tales of the mafia scene of the 1920s.

You will visit up to four local bars, and samples of beer and pizza are included in the tour price. If you want a bit more to drink, be sure to bring some cash with you.

Book here: Sin and Suds Chicago Beer Tour

The Devil in the White City: A Haunting History Tour

Do you want to go on more Crime tours in Chicago but want to hear about more than Al Capone? The Devil in the White City explores the history surrounding the legend of the notorious H.H. Holmes.

The tour carts you around Chicago by bus for three hours of the insanity surrounding the 1893 Chicago World Fair. In addition, you will visit sites hit by H.H. Holmes, including Jackson Park, Midway Plaisance Park and the elusive Murder Castle of H.H. Holmes!

If you love Chicago crime tours and have done the rest, I highly recommend this tour.

Book here: The Devil in the White City: A Haunting History Tour

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Chicago Crime Tours: Chicago Crime and Mob Tour

Among its many claims to fame, Chicago is notable for having at one time or another been home to, or the base of operations for, a long list of history’s most infamous criminals and mob figures. Notable criminals who at one time or another passed through the Windy City include Al Capone, John Dillinger, Hymie Weiss, and more. For all those visitors interested in learning more about the history of organized crime in the city of Chicago, Chicago Crime Tours offers the Chicago Crime and Mob tour. This guided tour runs throughout the near North Side of Chicago, taking guests to multiple historic crime locations and murder sites.

Chicago Crime and Mob Tour Details

The Chicago Crime and Mob tour is Chicago Crime Tours flagship tour. Its distinctive yellow crime-scene tape-wrapped coach buses bear the faces of Al Capone and John Dillinger, and depart from the corner of Michigan Avenue and Pearson Street. From there the tour takes you to a number of famous crime scenes located throughout the near North Side of Chicago, while your entertaining guide regales you with stories about Chicago’s history as a hub for mobsters and the activities of organized crime. Along the way you’ll see Biograph Theater, where John Dillinger was killed; Holy Name Cathedral, where Hymie Weiss was murdered; and the site of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, a case that to this day has never been definitively solved, but is linked to Al Capone and his associates. The Chicago Crime and Mob tour usually lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours; during the week it typically runs 3 times a day, while on weekends it often goes 4 times a day. Tickets cost approximately $40 per person.

True crime fans might also be interested in checking out Chicago Crime Tours’ special Night Crimes tour. The Night Crimes tour is a somewhat expanded version of the Chicago Crime and Mob tour that lasts between 2 and 2.5 hours. You’ll see many of the same highlights, but dig even deeper into Chicago’s criminal history. The Night Crimes tour runs Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings at 8:00pm. Advance reservations for this tour are highly recommended, and tickets cost about $45 per person.

Chicago Crime and Mob TourMajor Highlights

Michigan Avenue: Your Chicago Crime and Mob tour departs from 163 E. Pearson Street, a prominent corner right in the midst of some of Chicago’s most exclusive real estate. This is just steps away from the “Magnificent Mile” of Michigan Avenue, as well right nearby such tourist attractions as Water Tower Place, John Hancock Center , and the Museum of Contemporary Art , to name only a few.

Biograph Theater: The Biograph Theater is famous for being the site where infamous bank robber John Dillinger was shot and killed by FBI agents in 1934. Known today as Victory Gardens Theater, and located in the lively Lincoln Park neighborhood, it is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Holy Name Cathedral: This beautiful Gothic cathedral was dedicated in 1875 and still serves today as an active place of worship. However, during this tour the focus will be on looking at the bullet holes that remain visible from when Al Capone’s rival Hymie Weiss was gunned down nearby in the fall of 1926.

Courthouse Place: Today this historic structure is known as Courthouse Place, and serves as a mixed-use office building. However, once upon a time it was the Cook County Criminal Court Building, and was the setting for numerous legendary trials, including cases like the Leopold and Loeb trial, the Black Sox scandal trial, and others.

Is Chicago Crime and Mob Tours for You?

Obviously, the Chicago Crime and Mob tour is a special tour serving a very specific set of interests. However, if you are in fact interested in learning more about Chicago’s history as a center of organized crime, or just want to see for yourself in-person several of the most famous crime sites around, the Chicago Crime and Mob tour is a can’t-miss experience. It consistently receives strong reviews from customers, and the majority of individuals who go on this guided tour report back it having been well worth their time and money.

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Escape into Chicago’s underworld on a crime and mob tour with Chicago Crime Tours. Some of the world’s most famous criminals, mobsters and gangsters bamboozled their way through Chicago. Sit comfortably on a climate controlled bus and enjoy sightseeing famous Chicago crime scenes from the 19th century through modern times. Investigate Al Capone, The Untouchables, The Chicago Mob, John Dillinger, H.H. Holmes, George Streeter, Leopold & Loeb, and more. See the site of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, one of Chicago’s most notorious murder scenes. Stakeout crime scenes like the Biograph Theatre, Holy Name Cathedral and other Chicago landmarks. Grab your camera for a drive-by shooting of the historic criminal courthouse, a Chicago architectural landmark where some of Chicago’s most notorious cases were tried. Escape into the criminal past of Chicago’s River North, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Loop and Magnificent Mile neighborhoods. Get off the bus and explore where Chicago gangsters John Dillinger and Hymie Weiss stood just before their deaths.

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Illinois : Safety by City

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Chicago, Illinois, on the west side of Lake Michigan, is one of the most dynamic and cultural hubs in the United States.

This city is rooted in a wealth of history but is also an ever-evolving ecology of art, fashion, trends, and foods.

Whatever you call it – Chi-town, The Windy City, “Chicawgo” – this is a place where you can go from the beach to Broadway to Bloomingdales in a small radius.

In fact, visiting Chicago in the summer will give you a completely different experience than visiting in winter.

The city has so much history, including the incomprehensible storyline of Devil in the White City, that you shouldn’t miss one of the tours by bus, boat, or foot.

You’ll learn why the Chicago River flows backward, where the mob bosses hung out, and what sweet treat was invented here.

With more than 40 neighborhoods to explore, you won’t be able to fit everything in.

The Loop is one of the top draws, being the central business district for the city of nearly three million people.

There’s a neighborhood for various cultures, from Chinatown to Little Italy to Beverly (an Irish neighborhood).

A trip to Wrigleyville might just have you leave Chicago as a Cubs fan.

Wicker Park will feed your inner artist, and the Magnificent Mile is a shopping paradise known globally.

• Warnings & Dangers in Chicago

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium overall risk in Chicago, and some neighborhoods rise to high risk. Chicago is notorious for its gun violence and gang crimes, which are being fueled by increased gun crime across America and the nationwide opioid epidemic. While there are a lot of websites that might scare you away from Chicago, we just want to prepare you for a safe trip. However, even Conde Nast readers say Chicago is the Best Big City in the U.S. to visit.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

You could spend a whole day learning all the ways to get around Chicago. The Chicago Transit Authority oversees rail lines and bus routes throughout the city. You'll use the Metra Rail to get to the Chicago suburbs. Taxis and rideshares are waiting around the corner everywhere. You can also use a water taxi or rent a bicycle to see Chicago on two wheels.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

There's a high risk of being pickpocketed or having a purse snatched in Chicago, with an average of 2500 happening a year. During COVID, the rates went down, but CTA has officially issued a pickpocket warning again in 2022. Pickpockets are always in the crowd waiting for a tourist to make one small mistake. They might bump you on a crowded street or go as far as to provide "help" while having another person waiting for your distraction to lead them right into your pocket.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

This is a medium risk as Chicago can get severe weather, including tornadoes and massive winter storms. You should always have a weather app with notifications enabled and know where a safe place to go is in case of a tornado. Most hotels will have a designated area.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

The robbery rate is more than three times the national average, and there's a medium risk it will happen to you. To lower your risk, stay off the streets at night. Never walk down an alley or side street. If you have a bad feeling about a group of people, move to the other side of the road or go into the nearest business. Should you be a robbery victim, don't fight back. Just do what you are told and remember as much as possible to be a good witness.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

There's a high risk in Chicago as it's one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. Former Deputy U.S. Marshal Ed Farrell told ABC7 in Chicago, "They're (terrorists) looking for events with mass casualties to further them. So that's why Chicago is such a priority." Chicago was on the original list of the 9/11 attacks, along with Los Angeles, added by Osama bin Laden himself. However, the list was whittled down to the New York and Washington targets. With this risk comes an abundance of Homeland Security and military oversight for the security and safety of residents and visitors.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Everyone has a hustle in Chicago, and there's a medium risk they will come after you. Scammers in Chicago can be brisk and pushy, so stand up to them and avoid anyone trying to sell you a ticket or trinket on the street. As much as you might want to help someone in need, you should assume anyone who is begging for help is really trying to scam you. It's a sad statement, but you've got to protect yourself in this urban jungle.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Women should proceed with medium risk and avoid going out by themselves - especially after dark. Staying in groups or pairs will give a better sense of safety and avoid making one person more of a target than another. Have a secret word you use with a friend if one of you feels uncomfortable and needs to leave. When enjoying the nightlife, you can ask the bartender for an Angel Shot. This is a signal that you are being harassed and need help. They will handle the situation from there.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2021 Water Quality Report shows all standards were met in all categories tested. The city also does more than 600,000 water analyses a year. You might read about the danger of lead in drinking water, and this is due to the pipes of a building or structure, not the water itself. The city is working to replace aging pipes. If you are staying at an older hotel, you might just want to use bottled water for drinking to be safe.

• Safest Places to Visit in Chicago

The Choose Chicago website offers many ideas and suggestions for all seasons.

Since there’s so much to do, we can’t explore all the options here.

Let’s go through some of the highlights.

A CityPass is a great way for first-timers to explore the city.

This gives you deep discounts on five of the top attractions in The Windy City.

You’ll get access to:

• Shedd Aquarium
• Skydeck Chicago
• Field Museum

Then you can choose from two of the following:

• Art Institute of Chicago
• Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
• 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
• Adler Planetarium

There are other CityPass options, so you can choose the one that’s right for your family.

Taking a boat tour of the city is one of the staples of Chicago tourism, and you have many options to choose from; plus, there are bus tours with open-air double-decker styles for maximum enjoyment.

I was 12 years old on my first tourist visit to Chicago, and I was mind-boggled that there were beaches in the land-locked state, much less beaches right in front of the massive city landscape.

• Oak Street Beach: Closest to the Magnificent Mile and great city views while sunbathing.
• North Avenue Beach: Popular with tourists and close to Lincoln Park Zoo
• Loyola Beach: This is a great choice for families traveling with kids, as the water is more shallow and the crowds are less dense.
• 31st Street Beach: Ideal location for water sports. While most beaches offer a variety of water rentals, this is the main hub for the sporting types. Hollywood Beach is the place to go if you want calmer waters to SUP.

Chicago also has an array of major league sports teams, including the Cubs, White Sox, Bears, and Blackhawks. Chicagoans are a devoted fan base, so any game will be an exciting experience.

It can be overwhelming to see the number of theater performances in Chicago but to secure your transaction, explore BroadwayInChicago.com.

It will save you hours of searching and allow you to select show tickets at various theatres.

You’ll be amazed at all the dining options in Chicago.

It’s funny the little things we remember as children because I was five years old when my grandfather passed away.

My family went for a quick trip to Chicago for the funeral, and I vividly remember my cousin taking me down a stone staircase, and I was staring at the tallest pizza I’d ever seen.

The Chicago Deep Dish Pizza is something you just have to experience.

Being from St. Louis, our claim to fame was the ultra-thin crust, so this thick pie was just mesmerizing.

Other foods to try include:

• Chicago-style Hot Dog (do not put ketchup on a hot dog in Chicago unless you want to get a lot of sour looks and maybe a few snide comments)
• Chicago Italian Beef: Meat piled high on a hoagie with sweet or spicy peppers brings many people to foodie heaven.
• Original Rainbow Cone: For a sweet treat, check out this towering ice cream cone of color.
• Places to Avoid in Chicago

It’s hard to give neighborhood-specific places to avoid because there are just so many neighborhoods here.

The city has more than 2.7 million people in it.

So, as a general guideline, south of I-55 and anywhere north and south of I-290 is a more dangerous part of town.

The west side has higher crime rates until you get into the more suburban areas.

Crime data can tell one story, but there are also people who know the city best and want you to have a great time.

These are the concierge and front desk attendants at your hotel.

They can give you street-by-street specific advice.

You can even consider tipping them a large amount upfront in exchange for ongoing help, or if they’ve been very helpful, tip them well at the end of the trip.

If you don’t carry cash tips, many tip-based workers have Venmo or CashApp, so you can easily leave a tip through a secure transaction.

Avoid being out after dark and just walking around.

Plan where you are going before you leave, and get door-to-door service with taxis or rideshares.

Having your own rental car sounds like a good idea, but there are a lot of safety steps to take so you can safely park in such a dangerous city.

Carjackings and thefts from cars are so common that police suggest you don’t even drive around with your purse on the passenger seat.

Instead, store it below your seat.

St. Patrick’s Day is a huge event in Chicago

That doesn’t mean avoiding the city during that time.

It just means you will experience higher prices, even larger crowds, and an incredible number of drunk people.

Just be prepared but also enjoy yourself, because this is one of the best events the city hosts.

• Safety Tips for Traveling to Chicago
• You can review updated crime statistics on the Chicago Police Department website. They list crimes by the week and by different patrol districts. You’ll get a better look at crime trends during your visit and be able to better plan your trip.
• The police department also has a YouTube Page, @ChicagoPoliceNews, where you can get a better lay of the land and safety information right from the officers who work the streets. This could be a great way to pass the time on your flight to Chicago.
• There’s a document on the police department’s website that prepares you to be a crime victim. Yes, that sounds ominous, but you might not realize that even certain phrases an attacker uses could better help track them down.
• Don’t use an ATM in public or at night. Always go inside a bank if you really need to use an ATM. Don’t walk outside still arranging your cash in your wallet or in your pockets.
• While most violent crime is connected to gang activity, that doesn’t mean only gang members can fall victim. Innocent bystanders can be caught in the crossfire. This is why it’s important to avoid any dangerous situation or driving through unknown neighborhoods. It’s tempting to be a “Looky Lou,” but it’s not worth the risk.
• While audio tours are available for several of the districts in Chicago, you should avoid doing anything that will take away your senses. Wearing headphones while being enthralled during an architecture tour takes away your ability to hear or see danger coming, especially if you are really into the topic. Stick to one of the tours with a guide who is there for safety while still giving you a great tour.
• The CTA does have a variety of ways to pay, but you don’t want to be pulling out your wallet at every boarding station. Use the Ventra app to purchase tickets and add money to your account. When you swipe your card or mobile ticket, keep all other credit cards away from the card reader. This is called “Card Clash” and could end up charging additional money to a random card sitting in your wallet.
• If you are using taxis or rideshares, ask the driver to watch you walk into the building before they drive off (tip them a little extra for this). This will make sure that someone sees you getting safely inside, and if something should go wrong, you’ve got a quick call to 911 happening.
• You should call 911 for an emergency, of course, but Chicago also utilizes the 311 program. You can dial 311 to get city information, emergency details, or report non-urgent crime information.
• Sign up for emergency alerts through NotifyChicago.org. This will get severe weather information right on your device and will include other things like road closures, lake flood stage, or anything that could put people in harm’s way.
• So... How Safe Is Chicago Really?

While most articles I can write, “It’s not as dangerous as Chicago,” obviously, that doesn’t work in this article.

Chicago had the most deadly years in a quarter of a century in 2021, and even pickpockets are making a raging comeback in the aftermath of COVID.

Anyone who isn’t used to the hustle of a big city and the inherent risks are going to feel overwhelmed and potentially scared while visiting here, but there’s really no need to avoid the city.

You need street smarts, situational awareness, and a balance of caution with calm to enjoy a safe trip here.

The vast majority of violent crime is among people who know each other, with a strong pull toward gang-on-gang crime.

“The last two years have been extraordinarily high when it comes to the rates of gun violence in our city,” Roseanna Ander, executive director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab, said.

“ There’s a wider safety gap than there’s ever been in our city, between the most safe neighborhoods and the least safe.”

Chicago is a dangerous city, built for people with thick skin and a resilient spirit.

Stay in groups as much as possible while avoiding congested areas.

Always use the utmost safety, but even need to do that with caution.

If you keep patting your pocket or checking your bag, a savvy thief is going to notice you are targeting where your most valuable items are located.

One suggestion is also to carry a fake wallet loaded with scraps of paper, so if you do get mugged you can hand over the wallet without losing anything.

By the time the criminal realizes they’ve been had, you are long gone.

You can also make sure you carry a bag or purse with a zipper and keep it in front of your body where you can comfortably rest your hand on the seam.

Pay special attention to transition zones, like getting off the bus or train into a new section of town.

Don’t dress like a tourist since that will signal to crooks that you are not from here and likely carrying valuables on you.

If you are going shopping, do that last, so you don’t have to wrangle bags all day.

• How Does Chicago Compare?
• Useful Information

Start the U.S. visa process months ahead of time and check how long of a wait there is for an interview at the embassy. Some embassies are backed up for half a year. You'll need your visa at the airport upon arrival and departure, but you can freely travel throughout Chicago without having to show your visa.

You can only use the U.S. Dollar and don't bring a lot - if any - cash. There are too many pickpocketers around, and pulling out cash in public is just dangerous. Use a credit card or mobile pay app for all purchases. Don't throw receipts away in a public trash can.

You'll need all the winter clothing you can find as Chicago gets bone-chilling cold at times. While there isn't always snow on the ground, it happens enough that bringing snow boots is smart. Spring and fall have fluctuating temperatures, so wear layers. Summer will be hot and humid, so bring stylish but comfortable clothes that you can sweat in without ruining the fabric.

Chicago has two airports. O'Hare is the best option if you are traveling internationally. Midway is a great option for U.S. flights, but it does have international routes too. Both are very similar in distance and price to get to and from the city.

Travel Insurance

It doesn't make sense to practice all these great safety steps, but leave your trip unprotected. Travel insurance for flight security, driving issues, or health emergencies will give you one less thing to worry about while visiting Chicago.

Chicago Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature

Illinois - Safety by City

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• Where to Next?

91 Reviews on Chicago

Terror on the nearnorth side.

There is plenty of violent crime in Chicago ‘s near north side too.

This week alone 7 women were shot at Fullerton Beach !

Bicyclists shoot random pedestrians, ladies are raped in the morning as they leave for work .

Men , even big guys , are severely beat up in cell phone thefts!

While the excellent Chicago cops are busy patrolling the South and West side, there are few police left to protect in the Near North side.

Near Northsiders are targets in a crime infested shooting gallery !

This is amusing, but basically pure fantasy.

Rebutting the "Amusing"

So why are there police reports indicating such. I am sure its a beautiful city, and great for people who live there, but just last night saw where a man, around the LOOP area was beaten up pretty bad/mugged. Others shot around Lincoln Part and just other random shootings. I am sure its like most big cities, but crime itself has gotten out of hand.

This review is not true at all

This review is ridiculous. I live downtown and have for many years.

Be serious.

Are you kidding me? Chicago’s crime hasn’t been kept to the South and West sides for a long time. The North Side may be “more safe” than parts of the South and West, but I don’t think it’s appropriate to tell people that they’re OK on the North Side, that’s ridiculous.

Gangs r running Chicago

100 % agree I live on the most north eastern edge of “Chicago” and there are shootings, robberies and rape here alive and well

You are correct…. Rogers Park, a once quiet neighborhood home to Loyola University and older Jewish residents is now full of gang activity.

Chicago cesspool

Yeah, and you don’t go out at night. Property values have dropped 50 percent and no ones buying. The Mayor lightfoot is a true idiot.

Zero stars avoid

Light foot is an asshole and won’t support her own police. Like every other major us city run by Democrats Chicago has gone to hell. Lived there for 25 years. Won’t even drive through anymore without being armed

A US Veteran Proud 2 B From Chicago

Good, don’t bother coming back. Just stay home and watch Fox -News- They’ll never tell viewers that Red states violent crime rates are the highest in the country. States with the highest rate of crime: #1 Louisiana #2 Missouri (The Contributor’s home state, tsk,tsk) #3 Nevada #4 Maryland #5 Arkansas

Agreed. Chicago has become scary during the day as well as night. Public transport is not safe either. No neighborhood has been spared of violent crime in 2020 and 2021. So sad.

As someone who’s never lived in Chicago I can confirm.

Pure comedy

This is hilarious. Grew up in the area and have lived and taught in the city proper for 17 years. I’ve never known anyone who was pickpocketed. Stay away from the West Side past Humboldt Park if you don’t know where you’re going. Everything else is fine. Yes, even the South Side. Like anywhere, just don’t be stupid or aggressive.

Lovely city

I live in River North: safe and close to downtown Of course, at night always best to be cautious !

Immersion Is Key

Why does the media insist on painting Chicago with the wrong brush? This article is sorely shallow, not to mention strewn with paranoia. There’re basically two classes of Chicago tourists: The Navy Pier/Magnificent Mile/Water Tower crowd, and the Arts & Culture/History/Architecture/Foodie enthusiasts. The 2nd group will leave Chicago enriched and satisfied, with a desire to return for more. Those of the 1st will depart with a decidedly lighter pocketbook, a ringing in their ears, with a resolve to head to Dollywood next time. Dig a little deeper in the sand, and you’ll get why Conde Naste has called Chicago the #1 City in the world to visit.

GETTING WORSE

Mayor Lightfoot is gone BUT NEW mayor is even WORSE!!! Teen riots and shootings are already on the rise!! It is not worth the risk to your life to vacation in this dirty, crime infested city. The stores on the magnificent mile have LEFT!! the few there, carry no merchandise. If you don’t believe this is possible, just come look for yourself!

Award Winning City

The new mayor has only been in office for one week and you are obviously an angry disgruntled right winger who probably doesn’t even live here. Chicago has been voted the best large city to visit for numerous years in a row for good reason including culture, parks, restaurants and friendly people and so much more.

Danger day or night

Day or night .Very very very dangerous on th Near North side .

Stay away please

Stay away it’s so dangerous on the near north side, I got a gun permit and a vest I’m not messing around anymore

Bulletproof vest required

Exactly mike has the right idea

Is the observation building n looking at the Christmas tree lights dangerous

Back of the Yards Revival.

The Back of the Yards area is really getting nice. There are some great bars and restaurants in the area now. I never felt in danger at all and never saw even a hint of anything sketchy. Even there several times last summer and fall. Use Uber or Lift for transportation.

Is this Pisner area (Thalia hall) safe?

You mean Pilsen. Yes it’s very safe these days near Thalia Hall and there are excellent bars and restaurants all around. Get there early and check out the National Museum of Mexican Art nearby.

Back of the Yards is not safe

Back of the Yards WAS a nice neighborhood up until the 1960s.and early 1970s It was populated mostly by Irish back then.

It’s not the worst neighborhood on the South Side now, but certainly not an area one would wish to visit after nightfall.

The only improvement in Back of the Yards is that the smell of the old stockyards is long gone.

Don’t believe this rating

I live in Chicago. This rating is hilarious. Yes, there are unsafe neighborhoods in Chicago- like any other city. However, I feel very safe in any of the neighborhoods that tourist would want to visit

Which neighborhoods

some good places are gold coast and edgewater

Not anymore

Enjoying Chicago

Most of the crime in Chicago is gang related. However, innocent parties can be victims as well. Clearly, certain areas should be avoided,but downtown and the magnificent mile area are reasonably safe. The thing to remember is that you are in a major metropolitan area, and you should always be mindful of your surroundings. I wouldn’t say that you should keep your head on a swivel, but stay alert, avoid night travel and isolated areas. If you see something suspicious, get away from it as quickly as possible and if necessary, report it to a police officer.

Chicago is not Safe

I love Chicago and have spent months and month working there. I even met my current wife there and we’d love to go back for a visit but it is just too dangerous. There are 100 of people being shot every month and rioting. We are both sadden by it decline, but Chicago is no longer a safe place any more.

In 2020, Stay Away!

Where can I watch “ Mutual Combat” gun fights? According the the State Attorney it’s legal in Chicago.

What should I do, if I just rent a car from the airport

Chicago, a Sheet hole

Born and raised in Chicago and still live in a western suburb. I travel downtown every day. Stay in any western suburb of Chicago thats at least 20 miles from the City. No problems. The south and west sides of Chicago are where most of the crime is and they are 99.9 percent Black. The downtown and north side, gold coast gets bad at night because kids come from the South and west sides to prey on people. They figured out there is more opportunity there to commit profitable crime than on the south and west sides. This post will be regarded as racist, but it is just stating fact. Take it any way you want, ignore it and get mugged, robbed, carjacked or shot.

This is true. Its a fact, look at the data compiled by CPD. They can’t fix the problem because there hands are tied behind there backs. They no longer get support from city hall. Many senior officers have gone into early retirement as morale is at an all time low.

CPD officers are criminals too. Refuse to abide by change in policy, aggressive killing unarmed people. Beating ppl for false confessions, they got busted by DEA for stealing drug money in an undercover sting several time. Turning off their body cams so they wont get busted for the criminal offenses. Lawsuits for violating ppl rights. No warrant searches on ppl houses. Constantly going to wrong houses for searches without warrants. White ppl commit crimes Ive seen it repeatedly but you focus of poc.

Lived in the city most of my life. It is not the same city now. I was robbed by 4 teens in hoodies at gun point in Lincoln Park, my granddaughter was robbed at an ATM in Logan Sauare. Mag Mile looted 2x is still boarded up, number of stores are not coming back. No Chicago is not the same and the mayor dosen’t care, it’s all political for her.

Chicago crime.

This shit isn’t completely accurate. I’m a white male that’s spent his whole life on the south side of the city. Yes the south side is dangerous and majority of major crime happens there. And also the west side. But there’s crime no matter what side of the city your on. I’ve driven through,walked through (day/night) and have stopped and ate in every neighborhood around the south side and haven’t had any problems whatsoever. Just like anywhere else in every city it’s how you carry yourself. Obviously if your some easy looking mark that stands out like they def don’t belong and doesn’t Look like their going to put up much of a fight and basically gonna be an easy pay day well sorry to say your chances of being robbed is a lot higher. But that’s anywhere in this country. And gang wise in my experience if your in the neighborhoods (south side for example) and u don’t look like your a part of the gangculture or look like your a member of a gang then u don’t get bothered with It’s all how you carry yourself. AND WITH THE SOUTH SIDE IF YOU GIVE RESPECT YOU’LL GET RESPECT PLAIN AN SIMPLE

I mostly agree with you, Southsider, but I say it entirely depends on the neighborhood and time of day. I’ve been around different parts of the south and west sides, and some places I would go in the daytime but not at night. Some areas get rough late at night and fighting does break out, so I wouldn’t recommend inner city areas to tourists because one does not want to get caught in the middle of anything. As for the mugging issue, it happens sometimes, but I don’t think it’s a big issue like the author of this posts presents it. I think tourists need to just be smart, don’t try to display valuables and not wander around deserted parts of the city late.

You may have become accustomed to the criminal acrtivity, but no, that is not true anywhere in this country.

I agree. Chicago was safe when I was growing up. Since when is crime acceptable – if it’s similar to other crime ridden areas? Our standards have tanked. Shame on us.

CHICAGOISAFE

I WIIL GO TO CHIGAGO,NOT LISTENING TO THIS DUMBY

I said its medium. I’d maybe go to Chicago, Its a big city.+ WHO SAID THERE IS TERRORISM IN CHICAGO??? Absolutely no

Chicago is very safe

All of these people saying the North Side is dangerous are completely out of their minds. I have lived in Chicago for 5 years and it is a beautiful and safe city with plenty of amazing things to do and see. Go to the beach, walk along the Mag Mile, rent a boat or a bike and cruise along the Riverwalk. There are some very affluent neighborhoods in Chicago, gorgeous 3 flats, large homes in the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park, amazing restaurants. The areas that are considered dangerous are miles away from any neighborhood a tourist would visit, and the crime stays very confined to those areas. I suspect many of these reviews are from people who have a personal vendetta against the city or who have not actually been to the city. At most, there is petty crime in the touristy areas, like literally every other major city. Come visit Chicago, and you will see what a beautiful and safe place it really is.

Is it safe now in july 2021. We will be staying in a chicago downtown hotel in streeterville for just two nights..

I have lived in Chicago for over 50 years. I say how safe Chicago is depends on where you go, what time of day, and if you are in a group or alone. Part of what you say is true, Mariam, but I want to add that people should just be prudent, stick around the tourist areas and north side and be careful where they go when it’s late. I suggest asking a concierge or Chicagoan for advice when they come. The review about a pickpocket problem, and how the public transportation is dangerous is ridiculous. I haven’t had pickpocket problems, but I also don’t go displaying my money or my smartphone. And you can go on most bus routes or trains at day hours, but I don’t recommend the Red Line at night or any deserted area. Some things changed since 2020. People mostly need to use common sense when visiting Chicago.

Don’t be put off

I’ve been twice and loved the city so much I committed to visiting at least once a year.

I felt perfectly safe at all times but bear in mind I’ve only been in the north and near west side. Downtown was the cleanest city I’ve ever known.

Buses and the L were brilliant. Never bothered with taxis or Ubers.

Common sense and precautions are advised when visiting, but the same can be said for anywhere.

Uncontrolled violence

Murder, robbery and rape are alive and well all days of the week north East Chicago.

It’s like the purge here at night

This is not a vacation spot.

Every night in Chicago is like the purge not isolated to the south west sides anymore. Do not walk around at night! Big stupid.

AHHHHHHH TO MUCH MAFIA

Every night like the purge?! Are you kidding? I lived there for two years and it is way safer than the right-wing media would have you believe. They just hate black people, they associate them with violent crime, ergo in the ancient, shriveled white male mind of Fox News, anywhere with a lot of black people is a nightmarish crime pit.

Not true at all! I really love to visit because of the great shopping, friendly atmosphere, liveliness, and lots of great vegan places where you can get stuff you can’t get in central Illinois, where I live. I loved living here. There weren’t roving gangs of thieves on transport at night – there are mentally ill homeless people who jabber incoherently about the lizard people or whatever, people begging, some sincerely in need, others not so much, and intoxicated people.

On St. Patrick’s day or after a Cub’s game, expect transportation to be clogged with rowdy drunk white tourists, who were much more of a nuisance to me than any local residents! The city lost its goddamned mind in 2016 when the Cubs won the World Series. Took about a week for it to regain sanity and order. But normally, life here is just boring and filled with the usual stuff you expect from any major big city in the Midwestern United States.

Just don’t wander too far south at night, I guess? I don’t even know if the south side is as bad as they say it is. I don’t have a ton of experience with it, but I have been around the White Sox’s stadium and that area might be called “south side” and it was fine to me? I’ve been on shopping trips all over the city. If you go shopping in poorer neighborhoods you can save money.

Public transit and biking are great and cheap options. Downtown they even have rental bikes you get from a kiosk. I rode one such bike alongside the lake shore one summer – highly recommend the experience. You should check out the Field Museum, Harold Washington Library, the Sears (now called Willis officially, but not by Chicagoans) tower, the Hancock tower which is also called Chicago 360 (because you can walk around and get a 360 view of the city from the top of the 100-story tower), the Art Institute museum, Maggie Daley Park, Grant & Millenium parks near it, the lake shore area in general in the summer, take an architectural tour by boat or bus, eat authentic Chicago heart attack food, get a souvenir at the world’s fanciest Walgreen’s on Michigan Avenue, which is also a great place to look at clothes that are too expensive to actually buy, you can take carriage rides near the Water Tower place mall near Hancock, Water Tower place being a neat little skyscraper with a mall inside that features American Girl and Lego stores and as such is a great place for kids, but the sports bar on the 7th floor is a good place for dads.

There’s just so much to do and see that is positive that I wish everyone could experience, without being put off by inconceivable, exaggerated tall tales reporters have made up about this place. Peace.

Don’t be stupid

Those were the good old days. I live in the Gold Coast … don’t wear anything gold there anymore.. not worth your life. This lady is a moron…how about this ppl…look at the crime stats and decide who is telling the truth..this moron who lived here for 2 years in 2016 before the world lost its mind.. or the data that shows killings and shootings are out of control.. or how about this…google it and watch the crimes that are blatant in broad daylight.. you’ve been warned.. instead of vacationing here.. rent a cabin and canoe with your family and then watch amovie that’s been filmed here… and it’s too bad.. chitown was awesome… best city in the country.

Chicago that toddling town

I grew up in the burnside and South Chicago neighborhood. Left in the 1970s.Chicago is a great city. Don’t kid yourself, it is dangerous. Why would you shop in a poor neighborhood, to make yourself feel good! Chicago neighborhoods are very territorial and was the same way when I grew up in the 50s,60s and 70. The difference now is that the punks go into areas that were out of bounds years ago. Plus the criminals go about their craft knowing they probably will not get arrested. 2 friends of mine were shot dead, one friend raped, I was knifed.

by far african neighbourhoods are bad in Chicago

FALSE! the areas where the majority racial population is black are by far the WORST in the city! the most crime riddled areas by far folks. I’m a hispanic/white (not mestizo) I know how this city really is like it’s becoming worse and worse by each and every day.

You are so misinformed. Right wing media? You mean left. Also wether you want to believe or not Chicago worst places are mostly black. Not saying that all neighborhoods with black people in this country are as bad as the ones here but it’s a war zone out here. Many shootings and raping. There is a reason why so many people trying to speak out on black vs black crime including black people.

Loved Rachael’s review! She really captured the essence of Chicago. It’s important to employ both common sense and “street” sense when walking around or using public transport in any urban area. Chicago is an amazing city…comparable to others of similar size when it comes to safety. Every city has some areas that are less safe than others.

Not safe to visit

Raechel’s comment purposely puts potential visitors in harm’s way. Saying public transit is a “great option” is a dangerous comment, as visitors are being attacked on both the CTA trains and platforms even during daylight hours throughout the system.

Random street crime is a common occurrence in the “upscale” Gold Coast, River North, and Streeterville neighborhoods, as South and West Side gangs know that they will not be prosecuted for violent crimes. Carjackings, while a problem in all big Democrat-run cities, are particularly common in Chicago, again at all hours of the day and in the nicer areas. My wife and I left and sold our condo on East Delaware Street, as we no longer felt safe walking the neighborhood, and we are in our early 50s.

Unsafe in any area

Grew up in Logan Square (before it was a yuppie wonderland) and lived there the first 35 years of my life. Moved away for 30 years, career e.t.c, and wanted to come back. No way that’s happening now. High taxes, high crime everywhere, and lots of hate between every racial and ethnic group. Police don’t control the streets anymore, gangs and criminals do. Very sad, I loved the city.

That's life

There is crime everywhere, my advice is don’t carry a purse, don’t get lost in your cell phone 100% look around, and always be ready to call 911 at any given moment. Know where your emergency button is but also set up your phone for an emergency by pressing the power button 3 times or however your phone does it.

Kids nowadays don’t look around, don’t communicate well with their parents so when they go missing or need help parents can’t even guess where to check first.

Just know dressing to impress and be very fancy will make a thief think you have $ even if you don’t. Avoid porting too much information on social media, believe me, there are people following right now as you walk, look around as you read this article.

Don’t live scared but be cautious and learn self-defense most important join a track team to run if need to.

Remember if you wear heels to a party, always have a pair of comfortable shoes in case you have to walk back home. Anyway, I feel like a mother giving advice LOL just avoid, South Side Chicago, North Chicago, Waukegan, zion, etc at all times, and to all cities avoid walking at night either by yourself or someone else it doesn’t matter. ✌️

A few additions to the list

You forgot west of Western/south of North in the city and much of the near south suburbs as places to avoid

Chicago is not as bad as you think

I have visited many cities, and many places in my lifetime. I would have to say Chicago is the best, if not one of the best cities I have ever visited.

Between the food, architecture, beach, walking tours, and other things to do. There is never a shortage of fun or adventure in this city. With this being said, we do need to address the crime. In my experience, I have had good luck being downtown, the north side, and the surrounding areas.

Although these areas are safer, still take normal safety precautions. Lock car doors, hide valuables in your car and keep your belongings close to you.

I personally have never felt unsafe walking around at night downtown, or the surrounding areas with friends, or family, but like any other city of its size; always take normal safety precautions. Stay out of dangerous neighborhoods (IE: Englewood, South Shore, Little Village, North Lawndale, etc.).

Don’t instigate the homeless people either. Most of them are drug addicts and just want money, it is best to not instigate on their business and have the potential to be attacked. Although I have never personally had any issues with crime in the city, that doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you. Although the right-wing media will have you believe Chicago is an evil city, it is not.

Essentially, if you mind your own business, and do not instigate others’ business, you should be fine.

Other than that, here is the fun stuff. Things to check out: tourists definitely need to see the field museum, Shedd Aquarium, Cloud gate, The Sears Tower, and go shopping down the magnificent mile. There is so much more than that, but I think those things are a good place to start your adventure.

Another cool thing to check out is China Town. China Town has a lot of good restaurants and cool little shops to check out. If you’re hungry in the downtown area, Miller’s Pub is definitely a good place to eat.

The food is fantastic and the service was amazing. Even though the right-wing media will lead you to believe Chicago is dangerous and scary, it’s really not. If you decide to take a trip, it will be one that you won’t forget.

I will take the bypass

I read all of the reviews. I’m not from Chicago. But when I see a medium rating that means do not go there. From the national news, crime in Chicago seems to be getting worse. There are so many other places to see, why take the risk?

Dangerous Democrat controlled

Not safe! People from the rest of Illinois won’t go towards Chicago anymore. It’s very dangerous and you are taking a chance with your life walking around Chicago. Rape , home invasions, murder , gangs and shootings, looting and protests with crime.

Its crime in every city. Youths are taking over parts of down town or areas in every city. You lived downtown chicago you so many perks it unthinkable. They have taken away all youth programs and activities to give people like you and your kids nice parks and activities. East Randolph ppl like you are a joke. Look at all these racists that come gentrify areas nobody wants you in. Then complain about stuff. Its crime every even lily white suburbs.

I was born in Chicago

I was born in Chicago. Raised on 134 west LaSalle in Roseland from 84 to 92. I never got shot, beat up, robbed, or anything. Probably because I’m super aware of my surroundings and I respect everybody and I mind my own business!

Curtis school 85 to 92.

Wrong turn scared

Driving home from Indiana to Chicago I took a wrong turn and ended up in a bad part of Chicago by the subway I never been so scaredy in all my life never again!!!’

hispanicks and whites are part of the problem too

Reputations are for a reason

Sadly, jJust the fact that this is a full on discussion lets me know it is not worth my safety to visit!

This comment section is absolute lunacy. If you haven’t been to Chicago yet, go. It’s the absolute greatest downtown in America. Architectural beauty, incredible parks, a beautiful riverwalk and lakefront path, incredible sports environments (Cubs, Hawks, Bulls, Sox, all of it), some phenomenal historic music venues, museums, and bars. Take the architectural boat tour, go eat a Chicago Dog or Italian Beef, check out the amazing Art Institute, grab a cocktail at the Green Mill or Kingston Mines.

Chicago, like most big cities in America, grapples with crime. Unfortunately, it follows the same trend as the country where it has gotten worse after 2020. There are indeed still “bad neighborhoods” as everyone mentioned above and crime can absolutely happen anywhere. But to say it regularly happens is false. 3 million people live & go about their day every single day here. Keep aware of your surroundings at night, take an Uber or taxi if you aren’t familiar with where you are going and you’ll be fine. Enjoy one of the greatest cities in America.

Chicago: The Risky City?

Also, Chicago has been named The #1 City in The World To Visit by Conde Naste, the iconic Global Travel Media Corp. And The City of Chicago was just awarded the honor of being selected by President Joe Biden to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Not to mention that Twice-elected President Barrack Obama is from Chicago and he still maintains his residence on the city’s South Side. These notable achievements totally debunk the (false) notion that a trip to Chicago poses a safety threat & should be avoided.

As safe as any major city

This review is sort of silly. Any major city of Chicago’s size is going to have good parts and bad parts, but for tourists visiting The Loop and Streeterville and those areas, you only need to exercise basic common sense and you will be fine. I lived in the West Loop and worked downtown by Millennium Park and, as a woman, I walked home from work every night after dark without fear. I had many out-of-town guests visit me and we walked the Magnificent Mile and took boat rides through the city and it was always a fantastic time.

Just because you hear about gang shootings on the news doesn’t make Chicago an unsafe city – these are shootings in parts of the city you will never visit and targeted at specific people, not random tourists. Chicago is a huge city, and every city has more crime in certain areas. But if you want to visit Chicago and aren’t an idiot, you will avoid bad areas and have a great time.

Katie, you must work for the Chicago Chamber of Commerce. Millennium Park is not safe. On the afternoon and evening of 12/4/21, bands of “youths” terrorized and attacked people in the park and the Loop. This occurs frequently. We lived on East Randolph and moved away five months ago because of the rampant crime and violence, even in the “good areas.”

Segregation & disinvestment

Hope all the gentrified residents leave so investment of South and West neighborhoods can happen. As long as funding stays only North there will be consequences or crime. Taking Black peoples homes and job opportunities started in the 70s. Destroying our communities by not addressing crime or the fact that many of CPD are criminals helping gangs. Now you know how it took 40+ years to get to this point.

On the South Side

It’s the other way around. The law-abiding residents were forced out by gangs and criminals. Once nice Chicago neighborhoods such as South Shore, Marquette Park, Englewood, and Roseland were destroyed.

The Chicago Loop was once an area where ladies dressed up with white gloves for shopping at Marshall Field’s. Now it’s a cesspool with derelicts, criminals, and drug addicts preying upon the infirm, elderly, and the tourists who wander there.

We love the Chicago Police Department.

Chicago great city

I’m from London, England went to Chicago in 2019 stayed at Palmer house hotel in the loop was therefor 6 days took the train to Wrigley field see the game as a Cubs fan, buddy guy club, some other clubs in the city, other than that walked everywhere, from Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, soldier field did all tourist stuff, mag mile, Hancock tower navy pier, etc, lots of places Chicago river tour great, down to goose island brewery (best beer) great bars, restaurants, etc also the cleanest city I’ve ever been to I include London in that.

Been to Boston, NYC, Miami, & Atlanta, Chicago beats them all.

Me & my wife walked about 50 miles according to her steps thing on phone & we felt very safe, we both are not gullible just be sensible & confidence hopefully will get back out there soon.

There are no safe areas in Chicago anymore. Even the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and River North are not safe. Even in the daytime, carjacking, freeway shootings, and robberies are commonplace. I’ve lived in the Chicago area for sixty years, and I have never seen things so bad.

The windy city is nice

What’s up with the water in Chicago? Why aren’t they doing more to keep it clean? I like the city but the water is terrible. I can’t believe this is happening in a city from the US, in this day and age! Anyway, the city has a lot of fine places to visit and it will take you months to properly see it all (parks, bars, cafes, etc). Millennium Park, especially at night, is a must see.

Safety issued

I would advise against visiting Millennium Park after night, and the Grant Park area in general. Too many tourists, even in groups of three or four, have been attacked and robbed.

Farther north, Lincoln Park was once considered safe after nightfall for a couple’s stroll, but not any more.

Posters who say “only a few Chicago neighborhoods are dangerous” are not to be taken seriously.

Do not walk the streets anywhere or be ready for anything

So many people are getting mugged or attacked to the point you have to drive all over the city from point A to point B. It’s sad because one of the most beautiful cities in the world is getting destroyed and it seems that nobody cares. Rideshare companies are making money hand over fist just for transporting people a mere 4-10 blocks. Long gone are the days when you can stroll through what was the most beautiful city in America.

Used to be a nice city

North Michigan Avenue is now a shopper’s ghost town.

Macy’s in Water Tower has moved out. The remaining high end stores limit access. There are more security people than shoppers. This used to be such a nice area, even just five years ago. Now it’s armed robberies and shootings, all over the Gold Coast.

Chicago criminality

For those of you wondering if downtown Chicago is safe…. read about the riots on 5/14/22 at the Bean in Millennium Park. This is a typical occurrence in even the “nice” areas of Chicago.

I’ve seen Chicago go downhill so much in the past few years. No area is safe, and that includes daylight hours as well.

No longer safe

During the last few years, the west and south side Chicago criminal element are making their way to the Gold Coast, Streeterville, River North, Lincoln Park and other once-safe neighborhoods to carjack, assault, and rob both residents and tourists.

I’ve lived in Chicago since the 1970s, and it’s really gotten bad living here. And nowadays, there are few police patrols, as the police force has been decimated by Mayor Lightfoot.

I would advise against travel to Chicago. And that’s hard for me to say, as I have been a Chicago booster all my life.

One of my co-workers attended a trade show in June 2022 at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. He was in a “good” area ,walking back to his hotel about 9:00 at night, and was robbed and assaulted ending up in the emergency dept at a hospital.

Our family was planning to stop in Chicago to see the museums and a ball game, but we’ll bypass Chicago. It is just too dangerous

Travel recommendation

Just don’t drive your car in Chicago. The city averages about a dozen carjackings each and every day, in both the good and bad areas of Chicago. Plus, parking is very expensive downtown and on the near north side, both on the street and in public ramps. And with the dearth of police officers, stop signs and speed limits are merely suggestions. The subway/El is not very safe either, especially the Red Line. If you must travel on public transportation, I would suggest taking the city buses, and sitting up front close to the driver. CTA bus route is probably the best for tourists, as it goes up MIchigan Avenue to Lincoln Park.

Hotels are always expensive in Chicago, but they are having problems filling them up unless a McCormick Place convention is going on. Not as many everyday business travelers, and the numbers of the typical average American family aren’t visiting Chicago in the numbers as in past years because of the high crime.

Wow. SO much stuff about how there was so much danger and mugging and gangs. Yes, those are risks but its SUPER hyperbolized. Little bit of advice: Just don’t dress like Bezos. Be smart, and don’t go places alone. Don’t drive, but just because of traffic. It’s like every city, it’s crazy cool but you have to be savvy. Don’t take CTA because it is a little dangerous. Walk everywhere. It’s faster and healthier. I’ve been there a ton, just research the “bad neighborhoods” for most people’s standards and stay away. But really, if you’re a tourist just be safe like you would anywhere. America may be crazy but avoid the bad places and you’ll be fine.

Annual meeting canceled

My company just moved their annual meeting from Chicago for the first time in thirty years because their own Chicago employees warned against coming to the city. They know that vacationers/conventioneers are easy prey after nightfall for criminals, even on the formerly-safe near north side. Carjackings are rampant all over the city, and it’s getting chancy to even stop at a gas station in the middle of the day for fuel. Chicago is now on the same level as Memphis and Baltimore.

The demise of a city.

To clean up that city or any major city start by getting rid of democrats. There policies have fueled crime. Gun free zones and don’t fight back, do what you’re told??? Could it be any easier for a criminal with that combo to do as they please. The city must be ran by the same people who think it’s a good idea to pet the buffalo in Yellowstone Park. I won’t visit a place with that much stupid. Btw it will never get better as long as the city is ran by a democrat. Next time you’re at the ballot box think about that.

Let's see when I get there

I heard that the crimes are getting worse in Chicago. I will be traveling there for work next week and I hope nothing happens to me so I might stay vigilant at all times just to be sure. Also, I want to enjoy the city since this is my first time going there.

As a solo female traveler, I was initially apprehensive about visiting Chicago, but I quickly found that it’s a vibrant and welcoming city.

I’ve heard some concerns about safety in Chicago, but during my trip there last spring, I didn’t encounter any problems.

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Haters can keep hating. Chicago tourists are back

In spite of its flaws and the babbling naysayers, there is no denying how much the windy city is still loved. how do we know a whopping 60% more tourists visited the city in 2022 compared to the year before, according to the tourism group choose chicago..

Tourists take and get their photos taken next to Cloud Gate also known as “The Bean” at Millennium Park in The Loop, Friday, April 21, 2023.

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

There are a lot of Chicago haters out there.

Verbally slamming the city like a piñata has practically become a national pastime for some out-of-town politicians, former residents and suburbanites who love to tell anyone who crosses their paths how terrible it is here.

Who can forget Donald Trump’s rants or former gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey repeatedly characterizing Chicago as a “hell hole?”

Yes, the winters are tough, and now we’ve got to worry about attacks by Peregrine falcons . (And here we thought we just had to watch out for those pesky red-winged blackbirds.)

Chicagoans will concede there are much more serious threats to our safety. Yet, in spite of its very real flaws — dog-whistling politicians aside, the rampant gun violence is undeniable — and the babbling naysayers, there’s no denying it.

People love the Windy City.

We’re not just talking about the devotion of Chicago natives. It’s tourists, too.

The so-called Second City is No. 1 to many people who live close by and others who travel from miles away, who come to check out our cultural attractions, architecture and vibrant neighborhoods.

Sorry, all you cynics who keep saying everyone wants to stay away. They aren’t.

A whopping 60% more tourists — nearly 48.9 million domestic and international visitors — came to Chicago in 2022 compared to the year before, according to the tourism group Choose Chicago.

That’s almost 80% of the roughly 61 million guests who stopped by in 2019 before the city, along with the rest of the world, shut down due to the pandemic.

The nearly $17 billion out-of-towners shelled out while visiting last year is also 89% of the amount spent in 2019, the Sun-Times’ David Roeder recently reported.

If the tourists continue flocking to Chicago, the numbers will only go up, Choose Chicago President and CEO Lynn Osmond predicted.

Taylor Swift, NASCAR and Lollapalooza may not be everybody’s cups of tea, but they are big draws, which translates to big bucks and a much-needed boost downtown.

Chicago is still a sight to see. Even those who spend their time disparaging it can’t deny its appeal.

Before he became president, this is what Trump had to say about our city: “I love Chicago. I have big investments in Chicago, and I think it’s a great city.”

Indeed, it is glorious, and the statistics prove that million others agree.

The Sun-Times welcomes letters to the editor and op-eds. Here are our guidelines .

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Downstate legislators see Chicago crime impacting tourism

(The Center Square) – Just months after Gov. J.B. Pritzker boasted the city’s tourism industry is back, a new Harris Poll finds almost half of Cook County residents insist they don’t feel safe visiting downtown Chicago.

The poll also finds that 7 of 10 Cook County residents think the city should be investing in more public safety initiatives.

State Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, said the poll almost read his mind.

“I know I had the opportunity to go to some meetings in Chicago … and I didn’t want to go because you don’t feel safe,” Miller told The Center Square. “A lot of these crimes are happening in broad daylight. It’s not like they’re doing it under the cover of darkness. The Magnificent Mile and different places like that are shown to be unsafe just because of the crime being committed there in broad daylight.”

With robberies and vehicle thefts up in recent times, Miller left no doubt about what he sees as the root of much of the trouble.

“To me the biggest problem is when you think about Mayor [Brandon] Johnson, Kim Foxx, Jim Durkin and people like that, none of them want to take ownership for any of this stuff and all they want to do is blame others for their failures,” he added. “Also, J.B. Pritzker needs to be thrown into the mix with the SAFE-T Act and the thousands of illegals and all the things that they’ve done to perpetrate the crime problem in Chicago.”

Making the situation all the more maddening, Miller said he doesn’t see anyone in Springfield taking the lead in making the kind of changes he feels need to be made.

“I don’t think hardly anything is being done when you look at some of the bad public policies,” he added. “The first plank is to establish justice and when there is no justice there’s lawlessness and what we see happening in the city of Chicago is lawlessness because crime is not being punished. The criminal is the victim. It’s very true people don’t feel safe in the city of Chicago.”

In the end, Miller said what’s happening in downtown Chicago is to be expected given what those in elected office are allowing.

“If people don’t feel like they’re going to be safe … it’s like don’t go there, it’s dangerous. It’s common sense,” he said. “There’s just a real lack of any justice. They’re changing the rules where things that used to be criminal are no longer associated with criminality.”

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Local News | Can Chicago tourism overcome image of crime, police brutality?

Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune

Fans groove to the Grateful Dead in concert July 3, 2015, at Soldier Field in Chicago. The band played its final three shows at the stadium.

Erin Hooley, Chicago Tribune

Fans watch Metallica perform at Lollapalooza in Grant Park on Aug. 1, 2015.

Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune

A man stops to view the big cats among the animal specimens Jan. 12, 2016, at the Field Museum in Chicago.

A man stops to look at a winter display of deer specimens Jan. 12, 2016, at the Field Museum in Chicago.

A tour guide talks to a group of museumgoers Jan. 12, 2016, at the Field Museum in Chicago about Sue, the largest, most extensive and most well-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex specimen ever found. Sue was the subject of the 2014 documentary "Dinosaur 13."

Chris Sweda, Chicago Tribune

David Vineberg, of Seattle, waits for the second set to begin while attending a Grateful Dead performance at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015.

Music fans listen to Gary Clark Jr. at Lollapalooza on July 31, 2015.

Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune

Elaina Stimel, from left, Christopher Stimel and Jai Moua ring in the start of a new year at the Chi-Town Rising celebration on Jan. 1, 2016, in downtown Chicago.

Museumgoers, including Melissa Steuart of Chicago's River North neighborhood, far right, stop to view Sue on Jan. 12, 2016, at the Field Museum in Chicago.

Festivalgoers relax in hammocks hanging from a large metal structure at Lollapalooza in Grant Park on Aug. 1, 2015.

Neil Driscoll and Sami Schroeder of Wilmot, Wis., look at a bear exhibit at the Field Museum on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016.

Neil Driscoll, 20, and Sami Schroeder, 19, both of Wilmot, Wis., look at bear specimens Jan. 12, 2016, at the Field Museum in Chicago.

Mine Han, 20, left, and her sister Sujin Han, 22, both of Seoul, South Korea, take a photograph while viewing the animal specimens Jan. 12, 2016, at the Field Museum in Chicago.

A large star hangs on the Hyatt Regency Chicago for the Chi-Town Rising New Year's Eve event on Dec. 31, 2015.

Armando L. Sanchez, Chicago Tribune

A concertgoer crowd-surfs over a barricade while Metallica performs at Lollapalooza in Grant Park on Aug. 1, 2015, in Chicago.

A couple shares a kiss as fireworks go off over the Chicago River during the Chi-Town Rising's New Year's celebrations on Jan. 1, 2016, in downtown Chicago.

Convention bookings are down, tourism advertising has been scaled back and Chicago’s image is suffering because of gun violence, police brutality and growing political unrest, presenting something less than a picture postcard for potential visitors.

“I don’t think Chicago is broken, but it certainly faces some serious challenges,” said Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst with Atmosphere Research Group.

The NFL Draft, Lollapalooza, the Grateful Dead’s farewell concerts and Chi-Town Rising, the nascent New Year’s Eve celebration, helped draw a record 51.7 million visitors in 2015, according to Choose Chicago, the city’s convention and tourism bureau.

Those positive images have been offset in recent months by the release of dashcam video of the fatal police shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald, the premiere of the Spike Lee movie “Chi-Raq” and Black Friday protests that shut down parts of the North Michigan Avenue shopping district.

Even President Barack Obama invoked his hometown as synonymous with violence during last week’s nationally televised town hall on gun control.

“I know the issues are real, they are heartbreaking in terms of what’s occurred,” said Don Welsh, president of Choose Chicago. “There are things that have got to be corrected in the city.”

Despite the spate of negative news, Chicago still makes a great winter weekend getaway for residents of say, Grand Rapids, Mich. At least that’s the message in an updated 30-second commercial that began airing regionally on DirecTV last week, promoting the city’s attractions as “cures for cabin fever.”

Welsh remains hopeful that a busy events calendar, which includes the return of the NFL Draft and the national tour premiere of the Broadway hit “Hamilton,” will keep tourists coming to Chicago throughout the year.

“I’m not overly concerned that we’re going to see any type of appreciable drop-off of overall business in 2016,” Welsh said.

Last year, the city targeted markets like Denver and San Francisco with bold advertising casting Chicago as an “Epic” destination. This year, Chicago will focus nearly all of its marketing efforts on markets like Indianapolis and Detroit, its bread-and-butter for weekend visitors.

Meanwhile, Choose Chicago is scrambling to make up a huge shortfall in convention room nights for 2016. Chicago has nine fewer conventions and 187,000 fewer hotel room nights booked than last year at this time. The loss of the Microsoft Ignite conference, which was scheduled for May before it relocated to Atlanta, cost the city nearly 89,000 room nights and some $56 million in economic impact.

“To take a hit as big as Microsoft was a huge impact,” Welsh said.

The city is looking to local companies to fill the void, offering discounts of up to 50 percent on hotel rooms and 20 percent on exhibit halls and meeting rooms at McCormick Place. Adding any major citywide conventions for 2016 is unlikely, Welsh said.

Chicago ranked third behind Orlando and New York in 2014 in total visitors. The city lags its peers in overseas visitors, dropping one spot to 10th in 2014, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office.

Two years ago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel set a goal of 55 million visitors a year by 2020, touting tourism as an economic boon and job creator for the city. He launched Choose Chicago in 2012 by combining two bureaus into the city’s official tourism organization.

Choose Chicago’s funding was frozen by the state’s ongoing budget impasse in June, forcing the agency to lay off one-fourth of its staff, close international offices in Canada and Mexico, and pull the plug on advertising during the second half of 2015.

The state provides about 40 percent of Choose Chicago’s annual budget, which remains at about $30 million for 2016. Funding was restored in December, including $7 million owed by the state from last year. But with another June deadline looming, Choose Chicago is reining in its ambitions this year.

The advertising budget has shrunk to $2.5 million, down 17 percent from last year. More than half of the money will go into a TV campaign airing exclusively on DirecTV, targeting Midwestern subscribers identified as potential Chicago visitors.

International advertising has been cut to less than $200,000, down from $500,000 in 2012, and all of it will be aimed at supporting Chicago’s remaining tourism offices in China.

“It’s not as if we don’t want to be in the national or international markets, but we see a greater return on investment faster when we’re regional,” Welsh said.

Ron Culp, a public relations and advertising instructor at DePaul University, said Chicago is taking the right approach by staying close to home with its marketing efforts this year, focusing on people “predisposed” to coming to the city.

Culp likened Chicago’s image woes to New York circa 1977, which launched the “I Love New York” campaign while the city was teetering on bankruptcy and beset by crime, grime and other problems. The campaign endured and the city long ago turned around, reaching 56.5 million visitors in 2014, according to its tourism organization.

“Chicago has never fallen into the state of disrepair that New York had to dig out from, so I think it’s very important to continue pushing the positives,” Culp said. “That’s obviously what they are attempting to do, although on a smaller scale than probably desired.”

Travel analyst Harteveldt said Chicago will eventually have to ramp up its marketing efforts to change the conversation and keep tourism growing.

“The city’s leaders have no choice but to increase its tourism marketing budget,” Harteveldt said. “Right now, the city’s image is being controlled by various news stories. If its tourism leaders want to overcome this, they need to make business, conference and leisure travelers feel welcome and confident that they will be safe.”

Welsh is looking to reopen the city’s tourism offices in Canada and Mexico this year, and said increased international advertising will be necessary down the road to make Chicago a “real global player.” But a lower profile will prevail, at home and abroad, until the state’s financial situation is resolved, and the city’s black eye fades.

“You can’t throw good dollars against a bad situation,” Welsh said.

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Chicago to implement new beach security measures as summer approaches

By lexi sutter • published may 20, 2024 • updated on may 20, 2024 at 5:56 pm.

Additional security measures will be put into place at Chicago's beaches once the summer swimming season begins, according to the Chicago Park District.

Starting Friday, a beach mobile unit with six prominently marked vehicles and security officers in bright yellow will be visible along the lakefront.

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The concern from citizens remains high as Chicago prepares to welcome warmer weather and the summer season.

“You got to be careful, and stay alert,” said Antonio Ceja, a visitor at Montrose Beach on Monday.

Ceja and other visitors shared similar feelings - one day after a 38-year-old man was shot in a parking lot nearby.

“Absolutely, it’s concerning,” said Larry Krutulis. “I have a 6-year-old son I want to bring him here to enjoy that. I don’t want to have to worry about looking around over both my shoulders all the time.”

Police said a silver car approached the man and began firing at him.

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He was taken to the hospital and was expected to be okay.

Visitors said they just want to have a good time without having to worry.

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“It’d be nice if you can just enjoy yourself and not always have to look over your shoulder,” said visitor Aimee May.

Just down the shoreline at North Avenue Beach, Chicago Police remained on site most of the day, monitoring the crowds after a fight last week led to a teenager being hit by an SUV.

People we spoke with at North Avenue said safety is top of mind for them, too.

“Only reason we came here today is because it was closer and the weather isn’t that good, but we usually will travel and go to Michigan City, just because it’s safer,” said Tyler Powell, a faither of a 7-year-old.

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• chicago violence

Chicago shootings: At least 45 shot, 1 fatally, in weekend gun violence across city, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- At least 45 people have been shot, one fatally, in gun violence across Chicago so far this weekend, police said.

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Two teenage boys and a man were wounded in a drive-by shooting in the Austin neighborhood Friday evening.

They were standing near the sidewalk around 7:30 p.m. in the 5500-block of West Quincy Street when a black Kia drove by and someone from inside opened fire, Chicago police said.

A 14-year-old boy was struck in the ankle while another teen boy, 15, was shot in the buttocks. A man, 18, suffered a graze wound to the back.

All three were taken to Stroger Hospital and were in good condition, police said. No arrests were made.

On Saturday night, a girl was accidentally shot by a family member on the city's South Side, police said.

The shooting happened around 9:18 p.m. on in the 6800-block of South Wabash Avenue, in Greater Grand Crossing, police said.

The girl, 9, was taken to Comer Children's Hospital in good condition.

The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting were not immediately known. No further information was immediately available.

About an hour later, six men were shot on Chicago's West Side, police said.

Police said the shooting happened in the Lawndale neighborhood's 700-block of South Albany Avenue around 10 p.m..

The men were on the street when multiple suspects opened fire, police said.

A 23-year-old, shot in his back and face, is in critical condition.

A 21-year-old, shot in his right cheek, was dropped off at the hospital in critical condition.

A 27-year-old, shot once in his back and twice in his left ankle, was hospitalized in critical condition.

Three other men, 39, 33 and 38 years old, were shot in their legs and are expected to be OK.

No one is in custody. CPD detectives are investigating.

Minutes later, a 12-year-old boy was shot while riding his bike on the city's South Side, police said.

It happened in the 8700-block of Burley Avenue around 10:13 p.m. in South Chicago.

The boy was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk when he saw a dark vehicle on the street and then heard multiple shots.

He was shot in the leg. He was taken to the hospital in good condition.

No one is in custody and Area Two detectives are investigating.

Three people were found shot in a backyard on the city's Southwest Side about 45 minutes later, Chicago police said.

Police said the shooting happened in the West Elsdon neighborhood's 3700-block of West 56th Street at about 11 p.m.

Two men, 18 and 19 years old, suffered gunshot wounds to their abdomens and were transported to Christ Hospital in serious condition, police said.

Police said another man, 23 years old, was shot in his buttocks, thigh and leg. He was transported to Holy Cross Hospital in good condition.

A witness told officers that someone got into an argument with one of the victims before opening fire and fleeing the scene through an alley.

No one in custody and Area One detectives are investigating.

Another triple shooting happened just 30 minutes later, police said.

Police said the shooting happened during an argument on the sidewalk in the Austin neighborhood's 500-block of North Leamington Avenue just after 11:30 p.m.

Two people took out guns, and one fired shots, police said.

Police said a 44-year-old man dropped a handgun after he suffered a gunshot wound to his eye. He was transported in critical condition to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A 50-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to his back and three more to his arm, police said. He was transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition.

Police said a 27-year-old woman later walked into Loretto Hospital with a graze wound to her cheek. She was listed in good condition before being treated and released.

Officers found a handgun on the scene. No one is in custody and Area Four detectives are investigating.

A teen boy was critically injured in a Northwest Side shooting on Sunday afternoon, Chicago police said.

Police said the shooting happened in the Albany Park neighborhood's 3800-block of West Lawrence Avenue around 3 p.m.

A 15-year-old boy was walking in an alley when someone drove by in a back sedan and fired shots, striking him in his leg, police said.

Police said the victim was transported to Illinois Masonic Hospital in critical condition.

No other injuries were reported and no one is in custody. Area Five detectives are investigating.

Last weekend , at least 29 people were shot, four fatally, in gun violence across the city, police said.

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The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.

Related Topics

• WEST ELSDON
• SOUTH AUSTIN
• SOUTH CHICAGO
• GREATER GRAND CROSSING
• ALBANY PARK
• DEADLY SHOOTING
• FATAL SHOOTING
• GUN VIOLENCE
• CHICAGO VIOLENCE
• TRIPLE SHOOTING
• CHICAGO SHOOTING
• CHICAGO CRIME

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Chicago shootings: At least 29 shot, 4 killed in weekend gun violence across city, CPD says

At least 29 people were shot, four fatally, in shootings across Chicago this past weekend, police said.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

A woman was shot and killed on the city's South Side Sunday night, according to Chicago police.

The shooting happened around 9:56 p.m. in the 6100-block of South King Drive in Washington Park.

A woman, 23, was found with a gunshot wound to the chest. She was taken to a hospital where she later died.

No one is in custody.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting are unknown.

CPD Area One Detectives are investigating the case as a homicide.

A man who was shot in West Garfield Park on Sunday night has been hospitalized in critical condition, according to Chicago police.

The man, 40, was on the sidewalk in the 3900-block of West Madison Avenue about 7:10 p.m. when a vehicle pulled up and someone inside fired shots, hitting the man in both legs, police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition.

A man was wounded Sunday in a shooting in South Shore.

The man, 39, was on the street in the 6800-block of South Dante Avenue about 6:10 p.m. when he was shot in the head, police said. He was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.

A man who was wounded in a shooting in Roseland on Sunday afternoon was hospitalized, according to Chicago police.

A man, 22, was in an alley near the 10800-block of South Indiana Avenue just before 5 p.m. when he was shot in the neck, police said. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition.

A 68-year-old man was grazed by a bullet in a shooting Saturday in Humboldt Park.

He was outside about 6:45 p.m. in the rear of a home in the 3200-block of West Beach Avenue when someone approached him and fired shots, Chicago police said.

The man suffered a graze wound to his ear and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was listed in fair condition, police said.

No arrests were reported.

A man was shot and killed after an argument on the city's South Side, Chicago police said.

The shooting happened on Saturday around 4:30 a.m. in the 7400-block of South State Street in Park Manor at a Maxwell Street Polish. It is unknown if the shooting happened inside the business.

A 30-year-old man was in an argument with a man he was shot in the chest and died.

The shooter drove off north on State Street in an SUV.

No other injuries were reported.

No one is in custody. CPD Area One detectives are investigating it as a homicide.

Less than an hour earlier, another man was shot on the city's Southwest Side, according to police. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition, but he was later pronounced dead , the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said Sunday.

The shooting happened around 3:16 a.m. in the 6200-block of South Campbell Avenue in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood.

When police responded to the shooting, they found a man around 30 to 40 years old with two gunshot wounds to the back. A witness told police the shooters was inside a moving car.

No one in custody. CPD Area One detectives are investigating.

A person has died after he was found shot inside a crashed car Friday night in Woodlawn.

The person, only identified as male, was found about 7:20 p.m. when someone waved down officers in the area to alert them of the car that had crashed into a wall in the 6700-block of South Woodlawn Avenue, according to Chicago police.

The driver suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died, police said.

Hours later, two people were shot while standing outside in on the city's Far South Side, police said.

The shooting happened around 9:50 p.m. In the 9600-block of South Loomis Street in the Longwood Manor neighborhood.

A 31-year-old man was shot in the face and in the shoulder. He was taken to a hospital, police said he was in fair condition.

A 27-year-old man was shot multiple times in the torso, he was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Chicago police said the victims were unable to provide details of the incident.

No one in custody. CPD Area Two detectives are investigating.

Last weekend , at least 31 people were shot, six fatally, in gun violence across Chicago, police said.

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.

Chicago man who fled from police in stolen SUV faces gun charges

NILES, Ill. - A Chicago man who allegedly fled from police in a stolen SUV in the northern suburbs is facing felony charges .

Alexander N. Weatherspoon, 28, was arrested Friday morning in the 7600 block of Milwaukee Avenue after a brief pursuit, according to a statement from the Niles Police Department.

About 8:09 a.m., police were called to the 7900 block of Neva Avenue for a report of a suspicious vehicle with shredded tires, the statement said. When officers arrived, they located a Cadillac Escalade with darkly tinted windows and two flat tires parked on the street.

When one of the officers attempted to speak to Weatherspoon, who was sitting in the driver's seat, he started the vehicle and fled. Police did not pursue the vehicle, according to the statement.

Alexander N. Weatherspoon, 28. (Niles Police Department)

Officers later located the SUV driving west on Howard Street and then north on Milwaukee Avenue, where Weatherspoon exited the vehicle and ran from police. He was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit, police said.

Nobody was injured during the incident, according to officials.

Investigators determined the vehicle was stolen, and police allegedly located five rounds of 9mm ammunition and four handgun magazines inside. A loaded Glock pistol was discovered in the 7700 block of Nora Avenue near some pieces of shredded tire, Niles police said.

Weatherspoon was charged with felony counts of aggravated possession of a stolen vehicle and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, officials said. He was also cited for multiple violations including fleeing to elude police, illegal transportation of alcohol and driving with a revoked driver's license.

Weatherspoon made his first court appearance on Saturday.