Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker praised Chicago’s summer as “amazing” during an appearance Thursday on Pod Save America, despite data showing 123 murders occurred across the city during June, July, and August, according to WBEZ Chicago, as reported by The Independent Review.

While the outlet reported that the total represented Chicago’s lowest summer homicide count since 1965, it still averaged more than one killing per day.

Pritzker defended the city’s reputation, dismissing former President Donald Trump’s description of Chicago as a “hellhole” and pointing to record-breaking tourism numbers.

“We’ve had truly an amazing summer,” Pritzker said.

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

Pritzker acknowledged ongoing crime but compared Chicago’s current homicide rate favorably to past years. “I recognize we’re a big city. We’ve had crime in the past. I think every big city’s had a wave of crime that they’ve had to deal with,” he said.

“But four years ago to today, half the number of homicides in the city of Chicago… the state of Illinois, including the city, doesn’t rank in the bottom half in terms of violent crime. We’re 19th. I would like to be first, best, most, you know, safest. That would be first. We’re 19th safest.”

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Despite his optimism, Chicago’s violence continues to generate concern. During Labor Day weekend alone, 58 people were shot and eight were killed, according to NBC 5 Chicago.

When pressed about the spike by reporter Mary Ann Ahern on September 1, Pritzker said crime was an unavoidable part of urban life.

“Look, big cities have crime. There’s no doubt about it,” he said. “But let’s just pay attention to what President Trump is doing [by] targeting Chicago. He’s overlooking red states that have much higher crime rates, much higher.”

Over the past 12 months, Chicago recorded 455 homicides as of August 26, according to ABC 7 Chicago.

Pritzker has faced criticism for downplaying the city’s violence and rejecting federal assistance to address it.

ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith weighed in on the issue during an appearance on NewsNation’s CUOMO on September 3, arguing that the governor should work with federal authorities.

“When you look at Pritzker — right now, what you should be doing is this: ‘Excuse me, we gon’ get this together. I’m gon’ let the president do what he suggested. I’m gon’ get the help of the federal government to put a stop to this,’” Smith said.

“He could say something that simple — but it would be giving the president credit. It would be giving the other side credit.”

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