Hey, I loved living in Chicago but I got street smart real quick. And, yes, all major cities have their issues to be sure; not denying that. Further, downtown is where most visitors go and the safest part of town; particularly in daylight hours. I would say downtown is virtually perfectly safe then.
And I am sure that the Chicago newspaper would be perfectly honest in their analysis; we know the news media - Chicago or anywhere else - always lays out the truth. Which is why I did not state the full reports that I have read from several sources that it has the highest crime rate in the nation of any major city.
Would I go back to visit? Would love to as the city offers much. But I would be very careful as I am sure I have forgotten much of what I learned going to engineering school there on the South Side.
Be safe. Happy New Year.