Arlington Heights, IL Crime Report 2026

Arlington Heights has a safety score of 7.8/10 on the IllinoisCrime.com index, ranking #14 out of 102 Illinois counties. With 12.7 incidents per 1,000 residents, Arlington Heights is safer compared to other Illinois cities. Like any city, certain areas carry more risk than others.

The most common crimes reported in Arlington Heights are theft, fraud, dui. The good news: overall crime is trending down -6.2% compared to the prior year.

Arlington Heights is a prosperous Cook County suburb of approximately 77,000 residents in the northwest Chicago metro, consistently ranking among the safest communities in Illinois with a safety score of 7.8/10. The village has a thriving downtown, excellent schools, and a well-funded police department. Crime here is predominantly property-based — theft, fraud, and DUI — with violent crime being rare. The village's proximity to O'Hare Airport and major corporate campuses makes it a desirable residential community.

Arlington Heights is served by the Arlington Heights Police Department with approximately 140 sworn officers. Major employers include Zurich North America, Anixter International, and numerous corporate offices along the I-90 corridor. Cook County criminal cases are heard at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse (3rd Municipal District), 2121 Euclid Ave. The village has a municipal prosecution office for ordinance violations.

Arlington Heights' crime profile is almost entirely property-based. Identity theft and fraud are the fastest-growing concerns, driven by the concentration of corporate offices and affluent residents. DUI arrests are concentrated near the downtown bar and restaurant district on Campbell Street. Package theft has increased significantly with the growth of online shopping.

Crime in Arlington Heights is not evenly distributed — where you live or visit within the city matters enormously for your personal safety. Here is how Arlington Heights's neighborhoods compare:

Based on Arlington Heights's specific crime patterns and geography, here is what local law enforcement and safety experts recommend for residents and visitors:

• 1.

  Arlington Heights is one of the safest communities in Illinois — violent crime is extremely rare and most residents never experience a serious crime

• 2.

  The downtown Campbell Street entertainment district sees DUI-related incidents on weekend nights — arrange transportation if you plan to drink

• 3.

  Identity theft and credit card fraud are the primary financial crime risks — monitor your accounts and use credit freezes when not actively applying for credit

• 4.

  Package theft is increasing — use a package lockbox or require signature delivery for valuable shipments

• 5.

  Arlington Heights has an active neighborhood watch program — contact the AHPD community affairs unit to join your local chapter

If you or a family member is arrested in Arlington Heights (Cook County), here is what to expect under Illinois law. The first 24 hours are critical — statements made before an attorney is present can be used against you.

1. 1.
   Arrest & Booking

   You will be taken to the Arlington Heights Police Department for booking. This includes fingerprinting, photographing, and a background check. You have the right to remain silent — exercise it immediately and ask for an attorney.

2. 2.
   Bond Hearing

   Under the Illinois SAFE-T Act (effective September 2023), cash bail has been eliminated for most offenses. Within 48 hours, a judge will determine whether you are detained or released with conditions. Electronic monitoring is commonly used as an alternative to detention in Cook County.

3. 3.
   Arraignment

   You will be formally charged and asked to enter a plea. This is where having a private defense attorney — rather than relying on an overloaded public defender — makes the biggest difference in your case outcome.

4. 4.
   Pretrial & Discovery

   Your attorney can challenge evidence, file motions to suppress, and negotiate with the Cook County State's Attorney. Many cases are resolved at this stage without going to trial. Evidence challenges are most effective when raised early.

5. 5.
   Trial or Plea Agreement

   If no plea agreement is reached, the case goes to trial. Illinois is a jury trial state for felonies. Misdemeanors may be bench trials. A skilled Cook County defense attorney can often negotiate reduced charges or alternative sentencing even for serious offenses.

DUI in Arlington Heights: Illinois First Offense Penalties

Illinois has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country. A first-offense DUI in Arlington Heights can result in:

• Up to 364 days in jail (Class A misdemeanor)
• Fines up to $2,500 plus court costs and fees (total cost often exceeds $10,000)
• Minimum 1-year driver's license revocation
• Mandatory alcohol evaluation and treatment program
• Possible BAIID (breathalyzer ignition interlock) requirement for reinstatement
• Permanent criminal record — DUI cannot be expunged or sealed in Illinois
• Potential job loss, professional license suspension, and immigration consequences

A DUI conviction in Illinois is permanent — it cannot be expunged or sealed. An experienced Cook County DUI attorney may be able to challenge the traffic stop, breathalyzer calibration, field sobriety test administration, or blood draw procedures to get charges reduced or dismissed. Even a first-time DUI is worth fighting.

Find a Arlington Heights DUI attorney →

Arlington Heights criminal cases are handled by the Cook County Circuit Court, 3rd Municipal District, at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse, 2121 Euclid Ave., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008. Felony cases are transferred to the main Cook County Criminal Courts Building. The court operates under the SAFE-T Act. Arlington Heights has a municipal prosecution office for village ordinance violations and minor misdemeanors.

Search Cook County court records on IllinoisCrime.com →

Illinois arrest records are public under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Here are the fastest ways to find arrest information in Cook County:

• Arlington Heights Police Department Arrest Log

  Most Illinois police departments publish a public arrest log online or will provide one via FOIA request within 5 business days. Contact the Arlington Heights Police Department directly at 911 / AHPD Non-Emergency: 847-368-5300.

• Cook County Circuit Court Records

  Criminal court filings are public record in Illinois. Search the Illinois Circuit Court Electronic Filing System (eFileIL) at efilingil.gov, or visit the Cook County courthouse in person. Court records include charges, case status, and hearing dates.

• IllinoisCrime.com Court Tracker

  Our court tracker aggregates Illinois criminal court filings from CourtListener and other public sources. Search by defendant name or case number to find Cook County criminal cases.

• Illinois State Police Background Check

  The ISP offers a Statewide Sex Offender Database and a Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registry, both searchable online for free at isp.illinois.gov. For a full criminal history, submit a fingerprint-based background check request.

Search Illinois court records →

Crime Victim Rights in Arlington Heights, Illinois

If you were the victim of a crime in Arlington Heights, Illinois law gives you significant rights — and you may be entitled to civil compensation entirely separate from any criminal prosecution. Under the Illinois Crime Victims' Rights Act (725 ILCS 120), victims have the right to:

• Be notified of all court proceedings, including hearings, trials, and sentencing
• Be present at trial, sentencing, and parole hearings
• Submit a victim impact statement that the judge must consider at sentencing
• Request restitution from the offender as part of any sentence
• Apply for compensation from the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program (up to $27,000 for medical expenses, lost wages, and counseling)
• Be treated with dignity and respect by law enforcement and prosecutors throughout the process

Beyond criminal restitution, a civil attorney can pursue a separate lawsuit against the perpetrator for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and — in fatal cases — wrongful death damages. Civil cases have a lower burden of proof than criminal cases, meaning a civil suit can succeed even if the criminal case results in acquittal. Many Cook County victims' rights attorneys work on contingency — no fee unless you recover.

Expungement and Record Sealing in Cook County

Illinois has one of the most expansive expungement laws in the country. Many arrests and convictions in Cook County can be expunged or sealed, removing them from public background checks and giving you a fresh start.

You may be eligible to expunge or seal your record if:

• Your case was dismissed, you were found not guilty, or charges were never filed
• You completed court supervision or qualified probation (waiting period applies)
• Your conviction is for a Class 4 felony or misdemeanor (waiting period and restrictions apply)
• You received a pardon from the Illinois Governor with a specific expungement authorization
• Your conviction was for a cannabis-related offense that is now legal under Illinois law

DUI convictions, sex offenses, domestic violence convictions, and most Class 1–3 felonies generally cannot be expunged in Illinois. An experienced Cook County expungement attorney can review your specific record and advise on your options — many offer free initial consultations.

Check your expungement eligibility →