Berwyn, IL Crime Report 2026

Berwyn has a safety score of 5.1/10 on the IllinoisCrime.com index, ranking #58 out of 102 Illinois counties. With 38.9 incidents per 1,000 residents, Berwyn is moderate compared to other Illinois cities. Like any city, certain areas carry more risk than others.

The most common crimes reported in Berwyn are theft, assault, burglary. Overall crime is trending up +3.6% compared to the prior year, driven largely by increases in theft.

Berwyn is a densely populated Cook County inner suburb of approximately 56,000 residents, directly west of Cicero and bordering Oak Park to the north. With a safety score of 5.1/10, Berwyn is a moderate-risk community that has seen a significant surge in carjackings — up 16% in 2026 — driven by crews operating along the Ogden Avenue corridor. The North Berwyn neighborhoods near Oak Park are considerably safer than the southern portions of the city.

Berwyn is served by the Berwyn Police Department with approximately 120 sworn officers. Major employers include MacNeal Hospital and the Berwyn school district. Cook County criminal cases are heard at the Maywood Courthouse (1st Municipal District Suburban), 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood. The city has a municipal prosecution office for ordinance violations.

Berwyn's crime is driven by carjackings and vehicle-related theft along the Ogden Avenue corridor, which connects to Chicago's higher-crime neighborhoods to the east. Auto burglaries are common in South Berwyn. The city's proximity to Cicero means some gang activity spills across the border, particularly in the southern neighborhoods.

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

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

• 1.

  North Berwyn near the Oak Park border is the safest part of the city — crime rates here are significantly lower than the city average

• 2.

  The Ogden Avenue corridor is a carjacking hotspot — be alert at red lights and avoid stopping unnecessarily in this area

• 3.

  South Berwyn carries elevated risk — be aware of your surroundings in this area, particularly after dark

• 4.

  Auto burglaries are common — never leave valuables visible in your car and consider a steering wheel club

• 5.

  Berwyn has a neighborhood watch program — contact the BPD community affairs unit to join your local chapter

If you or a family member is arrested in Berwyn (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 Berwyn 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 Berwyn: Illinois First Offense Penalties

Illinois has some of the strictest DUI laws in the country. A first-offense DUI in Berwyn 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 Berwyn DUI attorney →

Berwyn criminal cases are handled by the Cook County Circuit Court, 1st Municipal District Suburban, at the Maywood Courthouse, 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood, IL 60153. Felony cases are transferred to the Cook County Criminal Courts Building at 26th and California. The court operates under the SAFE-T Act. Berwyn has a municipal prosecution office for city ordinance violations.

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:

• Berwyn 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 Berwyn Police Department directly at 911 / BPD Non-Emergency: 708-788-2600.

• 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 Berwyn, Illinois

If you were the victim of a crime in Berwyn, 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 →