Joliet, IL Crime Report 2026

Joliet has a safety score of 4.6/10 on the IllinoisCrime.com index, ranking #68 out of 102 Illinois counties. With 26.1 reported incidents per 1,000 residents, Joliet has a higher crime rate than the Illinois state average. Residents and visitors should be aware of elevated risk, particularly for theft and burglary.

The most common crimes reported in Joliet are theft, burglary, assault. Overall crime is trending up +3.4% compared to the prior year, driven largely by increases in theft.

Joliet is Will County's largest city and one of the fastest-growing cities in Illinois, with approximately 150,000 residents. The city sits at the intersection of I-55, I-80, and I-55, making it a major logistics hub — home to one of the largest warehouse and distribution center concentrations in the country. Crime in Joliet is geographically split: the East Side and downtown core carry elevated violent crime rates, while the western suburbs of Shorewood and Plainfield are among the safest communities in the Chicago metro area.

Joliet is served by the Joliet Police Department with approximately 300 sworn officers. Major employers include Amazon, Walmart, and numerous logistics companies in the CenterPoint Intermodal Center. The city is also home to Harrah's Joliet Casino and the Rialto Square Theatre. Will County criminal cases are heard at the Will County Courthouse, 14 W. Jefferson St. The Will County State's Attorney's Office handles over 20,000 criminal cases annually.

Joliet's crime is concentrated in the East Side and downtown corridor, where gang activity tied to Chicago-based organizations has persisted for decades. Shootings rose 21% in 2026, with the Cass Street and East Washington Street corridors accounting for a disproportionate share of incidents. The casino area near downtown has seen an increase in auto theft and vehicle burglaries, as thieves target rental cars and out-of-town visitors.

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

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

• 1.

  The Shorewood and Plainfield communities immediately west of Joliet are dramatically safer — if you're relocating to the area, these offer suburban safety with Joliet proximity

• 2.

  Avoid the East Side neighborhoods east of Chicago Street after dark — this area has the highest concentration of violent crime in Will County

• 3.

  The casino parking areas are frequent targets for vehicle break-ins — use the attended parking garage rather than surface lots

• 4.

  Joliet has a ShotSpotter system covering the highest-crime areas — response times in covered zones are significantly faster

• 5.

  The I-80 and I-55 interchange area sees frequent semi-truck cargo theft — if you operate a business with freight, use GPS tracking and secure loading dock procedures

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

DUI in Joliet: Illinois First Offense Penalties

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

All Joliet criminal cases are handled by the Will County Circuit Court at the Will County Courthouse, 14 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL 60432. Felony bond hearings occur within 48 hours under the SAFE-T Act. Will County has a Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court as alternatives to traditional prosecution for eligible defendants. The Will County jail is located at 95 W. Washington St.

Search Will 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 Will County:

• Joliet 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 Joliet Police Department directly at 911 / JPD Non-Emergency: 815-726-6491.

• Will 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 Will 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 Will 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 Joliet, Illinois

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

Expungement and Record Sealing in Will County

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

Check your expungement eligibility →