Decatur, IL Crime Report 2026

Decatur has a safety score of 3.2/10 on the IllinoisCrime.com index, ranking #94 out of 102 Illinois counties. With 70.9 reported incidents per 1,000 residents, Decatur has a higher crime rate than the Illinois state average. Residents and visitors should be aware of elevated risk, particularly for theft and assault.

The most common crimes reported in Decatur are theft, assault, burglary. Overall crime is trending up +8.7% compared to the prior year, driven largely by increases in theft.

Decatur is the seat of Macon County in central Illinois with approximately 68,000 residents, and is one of the most economically distressed cities in the state. The city's crime rate of 70.9 incidents per 1,000 residents is among the highest in Illinois, driven by decades of manufacturing decline following the contraction of Caterpillar, ADM, and Tate & Lyle operations. The East Side and South Side carry extreme violent crime risk, while the Millikin University area and the northern suburbs of Forsyth and Mt. Zion offer significantly safer alternatives.

Decatur is served by the Decatur Police Department with approximately 180 sworn officers. Major employers include ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), Tate & Lyle, and HSHS St. Mary's Hospital. The 6th Judicial Circuit Court handles Macon County criminal matters at the Macon County Courthouse, 253 E. Wood St. Decatur has a high rate of repeat violent offenders cycling through the criminal justice system.

Decatur's violent crime is concentrated on the East Side and South Side, driven by gang activity, drug trafficking (particularly fentanyl and methamphetamine), and a high density of illegal firearms. Shootings increased 18% in 2026. The North Water Street corridor is the highest-risk area in the city. Economic desperation following mass layoffs at major employers has contributed to elevated property crime citywide.

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

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

• 1.

  Forsyth and Mt. Zion immediately north of Decatur are dramatically safer — these communities have crime rates comparable to the safest Chicago suburbs

• 2.

  The East Side east of Oakland Avenue and the South Side south of Eldorado Street carry extreme violent crime risk — avoid these areas

• 3.

  Decatur has a ShotSpotter system covering the highest-crime areas — police response in covered zones is faster

• 4.

  Home security systems with cameras are strongly recommended for Decatur residents — burglary and home invasion rates are significantly above the state average

• 5.

  The Millikin University area is relatively safe during daylight hours but becomes higher-risk after dark — students should use the campus escort service

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

DUI in Decatur: Illinois First Offense Penalties

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

Decatur criminal cases are handled by the 6th Judicial Circuit Court at the Macon County Courthouse, 253 E. Wood St., Decatur, IL 62523. The court operates under the SAFE-T Act. Macon County has a Drug Court and a Mental Health Court. The Macon County Jail is at 333 S. Fairview Ave. The State's Attorney's Office has a dedicated violent crime unit given the city's elevated homicide and shooting rates.

Search Macon 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 Macon County:

• Decatur 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 Decatur Police Department directly at 911 / DPD Non-Emergency: 217-424-2734.

• Macon 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 Macon 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 Macon 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 Decatur, Illinois

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

Expungement and Record Sealing in Macon County

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

Check your expungement eligibility →