Chicago Crime Report 2026

Chicago has a safety score of 3.8/10 on the IllinoisCrime.com index, ranking #89 out of 102 Illinois counties. With 17.9 reported incidents per 1,000 residents, Chicago has a higher crime rate than the Illinois state average. Residents and visitors should be aware of elevated risk, particularly for carjacking and theft.

The most common crimes reported in Chicago are carjacking, theft, assault. Overall crime is trending up +11.4% compared to the prior year, driven largely by increases in carjacking.

Chicago is Illinois's largest city and the third-largest in the United States, home to 2.7 million residents across 77 officially recognized community areas. Crime in Chicago is highly concentrated geographically — the Far North Side, Lincoln Park, and the lakefront neighborhoods consistently rank among the safest urban areas in the Midwest, while the West and South Sides experience violent crime rates that rival the most dangerous cities in the country. Understanding which neighborhood you are in — and which you are traveling through — is the single most important safety factor in Chicago.

Chicago is home to O'Hare and Midway airports, the Chicago Transit Authority's 145-station L system, the Magnificent Mile retail corridor, and major employers including United Airlines, Boeing, and the University of Chicago. The CPD operates 22 police districts, and Cook County's criminal court system — the largest unified criminal court in the United States — processes over 35,000 felony cases per year at the Leighton Criminal Court Building at 26th and California.

Chicago's crime concentration on the South and West Sides is driven by decades of disinvestment, gang territorial disputes, and a high density of illegal firearms — Illinois State Police data shows Cook County accounts for over 60% of all gun seizures statewide. Carjackings surged 34% in 2026, with offenders targeting high-traffic areas including the Magnificent Mile, River North, and expressway on-ramps. Package theft has become the dominant property crime in safer North Side neighborhoods.

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

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

• 1.

  Avoid walking alone after midnight in River North, Wicker Park, and Wrigleyville bar districts — these areas see high rates of robbery and assault after 2 AM

• 2.

  On the CTA, the Red Line south of 35th Street and the Green Line through Englewood and Woodlawn carry elevated risk — stay alert and avoid displaying phones or headphones

• 3.

  Carjackings frequently occur at red lights and gas stations — keep doors locked, stay aware of your surroundings, and avoid stopping in unfamiliar areas at night

• 4.

  If you live or work near the Austin, Englewood, or Roseland neighborhoods, register for CPD's CLEAR (Citizen Law Enforcement Analysis and Reporting) alerts

• 5.

  Park in well-lit, attended lots when visiting downtown — smash-and-grab vehicle burglaries are common in surface parking lots near tourist areas

If you or a family member is arrested in Chicago (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 22 CPD Districts 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 Chicago: Illinois First Offense Penalties

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

Criminal cases in Chicago are handled by the Cook County Circuit Court, the largest unified criminal court in the United States. Felony cases are heard at the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building, 2650 S. California Ave. Misdemeanors are handled at the Richard J. Daley Center downtown. Bond hearings occur within 48 hours of arrest. Cook County uses electronic monitoring as an alternative to cash bond under the Illinois SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail for most offenses effective September 2023.

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:

• 22 CPD Districts 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 22 CPD Districts directly at 911 / CPD Non-Emergency: 312-744-5000.

• 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 Chicago, Illinois

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