Aurora, IL Crime Report 2026

Aurora has a safety score of 5.9/10 on the IllinoisCrime.com index, ranking #54 out of 102 Illinois counties. With 15.8 incidents per 1,000 residents, Aurora is moderate compared to other Illinois cities. Like any city, certain areas carry more risk than others.

The most common crimes reported in Aurora are theft, burglary, assault. The good news: overall crime is trending down -4.2% compared to the prior year.

Aurora is Illinois's second-largest city with approximately 180,000 residents, straddling Kane and DuPage counties along the Fox River. Once a manufacturing hub, Aurora has undergone significant redevelopment in its downtown corridor, though pockets of elevated crime persist on the East Side. The city's proximity to the I-88 corridor and Fox Valley Mall makes it a regional retail center, which also attracts organized retail theft operations.

Aurora is served by the Aurora Police Department with approximately 280 sworn officers. The city is home to Rush-Copley Medical Center, Waubonsee Community College, and the Hollywood Casino Aurora. The 14th Judicial Circuit Court handles criminal matters for Kane County, with the courthouse located at 100 S. Third St. in Geneva.

Carjackings in Aurora rose 18% in 2026, concentrated near the Fox Valley Mall and I-88 interchange areas. East Aurora has historically higher rates of assault and burglary tied to gang activity along the Galena Boulevard corridor. Theft — particularly from vehicles and retail establishments — is the dominant crime category citywide, driven in part by organized retail crime networks operating along the Randall Road commercial strip.

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

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

• 1.

  North Aurora and the Orchard Valley subdivision consistently post the lowest crime rates in the city — these are the safest residential areas for families

• 2.

  The Fox Valley Mall and surrounding Randall Road corridor see frequent vehicle break-ins — never leave valuables visible in parked cars

• 3.

  Downtown Aurora has improved significantly with redevelopment, but the area east of the Fox River after dark carries elevated risk

• 4.

  If you receive a carjacking demand, comply — Aurora PD reports most carjacking victims who resist suffer injury

• 5.

  Register for Aurora PD's CodeRED emergency notification system for real-time crime alerts in your neighborhood

If you or a family member is arrested in Aurora (Kane / DuPage 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 Aurora 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 Kane / DuPage 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 Kane / DuPage 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 Kane / DuPage County defense attorney can often negotiate reduced charges or alternative sentencing even for serious offenses.

DUI in Aurora: Illinois First Offense Penalties

Illinois has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country. A first-offense DUI in Aurora 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 Kane / DuPage 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 Aurora DUI attorney →

Aurora criminal cases are split by county. Kane County cases are heard at the Kane County Judicial Center, 37W777 Route 38, St. Charles. DuPage County cases go to the DuPage County Courthouse, 505 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton. Both counties operate under the Illinois SAFE-T Act's no-cash-bail framework. Aurora has a dedicated community prosecution unit that handles repeat offenders and gang-related cases.

Search Kane / DuPage 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 Kane / DuPage County:

• Aurora 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 Aurora Police Department directly at 911 / APD Non-Emergency: 630-256-5500.

• Kane / DuPage 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 Kane / DuPage 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 Kane / DuPage 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 Aurora, Illinois

If you were the victim of a crime in Aurora, 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 Kane / DuPage County victims' rights attorneys work on contingency — no fee unless you recover.

Expungement and Record Sealing in Kane / DuPage County

Illinois has one of the most expansive expungement laws in the country. Many arrests and convictions in Kane / DuPage 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 Kane / DuPage County expungement attorney can review your specific record and advise on your options — many offer free initial consultations.

Check your expungement eligibility →