Waukegan, IL Crime Report 2026

Waukegan has a safety score of 3.9/10 on the IllinoisCrime.com index, ranking #84 out of 102 Illinois counties. With 36.4 reported incidents per 1,000 residents, Waukegan 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 Waukegan are theft, assault, burglary. Overall crime is trending up +5.2% compared to the prior year, driven largely by increases in theft.

Waukegan is Lake County's largest city and county seat, with approximately 89,000 residents on the western shore of Lake Michigan. Despite its lakefront location and proximity to the affluent North Shore suburbs, Waukegan has one of the highest crime rates in Lake County, with 36.4 incidents per 1,000 residents. The city's downtown and South Side carry the highest risk, while the North Waukegan and Gurnee border areas are considerably safer. Waukegan has faced significant economic challenges following the closure of several major industrial employers.

Waukegan is served by the Waukegan Police Department with approximately 200 sworn officers. The city is home to Vista Medical Center East and West, and is the seat of Lake County government. The 19th Judicial Circuit Court handles all Lake County criminal matters at the Lake County Courthouse, 18 N. County St., Waukegan. The Lake County State's Attorney's Office is one of the busiest in downstate Illinois.

Waukegan's crime is concentrated in the downtown core and the South Side, where gang activity and drug trafficking have persisted for decades. Shootings rose 22% in 2026, the largest increase of any Lake County municipality. The Belvidere Street and Washington Street corridors are the highest-risk areas. Theft from vehicles is common near the lakefront and marina areas, targeting visitors unfamiliar with the city.

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

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

• 1.

  Gurnee to the west and North Waukegan offer dramatically safer living conditions — if you have flexibility, these areas are significantly lower-risk

• 2.

  The South Waukegan area south of Grand Avenue carries the highest violent crime risk in Lake County — avoid this area if unfamiliar with the city

• 3.

  The lakefront and marina areas are generally safe during daylight hours but see elevated theft risk after dark

• 4.

  Waukegan has a community policing program with neighborhood liaisons — contact the WPD community affairs unit to connect with your district officer

• 5.

  Lake County operates a real-time crime center that coordinates with Waukegan PD — response times to reported crimes have improved significantly in recent years

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

DUI in Waukegan: Illinois First Offense Penalties

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

Waukegan criminal cases are handled by the 19th Judicial Circuit Court at the Lake County Courthouse, 18 N. County St., Waukegan, IL 60085. The court operates under the SAFE-T Act. Lake County has a Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans Treatment Court. The Lake County Jail is located at 100 W. Rollins Rd., Round Lake Beach. Lake County is known for aggressive prosecution of violent offenders.

Search Lake 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 Lake County:

• Waukegan 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 Waukegan Police Department directly at 911 / WPD Non-Emergency: 847-360-9000.

• Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake 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 Waukegan, Illinois

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

Expungement and Record Sealing in Lake County

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

Check your expungement eligibility →