Population: 113,912Rank Last Year: 7 (Down 1)Violent Crimes Per 100k: 946 (Eighth most dangerous)Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,079 (16th most dangerous)More on Springfield: |Cost Of Living|Crime Report. You can download the data here.Most Dangerous Places To Live In Illinois FAQsIs Illinois a dangerous state?No, Illinois is not a dangerous state as it ranks as the #24 safest state in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. Auto theft is also high, with 265 cases reported in 2019. Survivors would often receive prank phone calls later so the attacker could reignite their terror and feed off it. He killed eight employees and injured 12 others before taking his own life.

"}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Is Chicago, IL a dangerous city? The Axeman's story owes its staying power to a letter someone claiming to be the perpetrator sent to newspapers on March 13, 2019, saying he would kill again at 15 minutes past midnight on the night of March 19, but households who played jazz music at that time would live to see another day: "I am very fond of jazz music, and I swear by all the devils in the nether regions that every person shall be spared in whose home a jazz band is in full swing at the time I have just mentioned. He lived in the wilderness that entire time, even in the coldest months of the year, which is incredible if you've ever been to Maine in the winter. New Hampshire's most notorious crime is an unsolved serial murder case involving four female victims killed between 1977 and 1985. 6. The real killers have never been caught. One thing that we learned from our research is that there are pockets of dangerous areas. The first two victims' remains, those of an adult woman and young girl, were found in a 55-gallon metal drum by a hunter on November 10, 1985. While Capones haunt, Cicero, didnt make our list, the impacts forged during that era remain. In 1989, Joseph Thomas Wesbecker went to his former workplace, a printing factory called Standard Gravure, with an AK-47, two handguns, a bayonet, and hundreds of ammunition rounds. Alton was founded in 1818, and, in addition to playing a role in the Civil War, it was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Gone are the days that parents can let their children run wild until the street lights come on. The water could come in handy in a community with the number 4 highest rate of arsons in the state. But the Golden State Killer wins for the nature of his crimes and for how long he successfully evaded capture. Still, local sheriffs are convinced they had the right man. I cant imagine the anger Kimberlys family must have. And if you don't see your city there, head to the bottom. These included both violent and property crimes. The 5 Weirdest And Strangest Things That Have Ever Happened In Illinois. If only Superman resided in Metropolis, IL, maybe it wouldnt be on this list. Its a sobering thought that the number of homicides in Illinois and the country has risen to historic highs after so much progress. Just play it smart and stay alert to be safe. Born Brynhild Paulsdatter Strseth, Belle Gunness was a black widow who would post ads wooing men from Indiana and Illinois, whom she would murder by poisoning, bludgeoning and in a few cases arson, collecting on the insurance money or on whatever cash assets she had convinced them to bring along from their hometowns. Nobody anticipated that Springfield would be such a dangerous city when it was made the capital of Illinois. There are 14,880 residents in Mount Vernon. Burglary is three times the state average and violent crime is right on target. This is in the context of a city with a population of 14,574 people. If you've seen the movie "Rope," you're familiar with this crime. a candlelight vigil held for the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre. After all, theres a good reason why law enforcement and the military have them as part of the K9 units. In addition to the most dangerous towns in Illinois, youll likely want to avoid the creepiest town in Illinois, which, according to many, is Alton. While violence is reasonably under wraps, high burglary rates contribute to making this the number 9 most dangerous spot in Illinois. Mount Vernon and Danville are the two most dangerous cities in Illinois. Try to use safety measures like alarm systems and fortified doors if you live in an Illinois city. They inspired many films, most notably Natural Born Killers. This small town may not see much murder or violent crime but the rate of property crime and personal theft is a real problem if you plan on moving here. At his execution he simply had three words for spectators: "Kiss my ass.". While most rates are declining, homicides tripled between 2018 and 2019. There are 499 crimes per sq. mile in Cahokia, IL. In some ways, its an oasis in the middle of the corn and soybean fields, with many unique cultural attractions, parks, and a lively downtown. If you're looking to be that diamond in the rough, or you're just curious to see if your city made the list, take a look at our list below. A judge released them after serving 18 years in jail. College towns are a mixed bag. Both violent crime and property crime rates in Springfield are in the top ten statewide, with 1,230 instances of theft, burglary, and vandalism, and 1,078 attacks and murders. (US Census Bureau, FBI, Chicago Sun-Times). He was the father of one of the unidentified victims, though the woman she was found with was not her mother. He was caught after police were able to match DNA from cigarettes to evidence found on one victims body. Of the total crime tally, there were 608 violent crimes and 3,028 property crimes reported per capita. Richard Speck was convicted in 1967 of killing eight student nurses in a Chicago dormitory on the night of July 13th 14th, 1966, raping one before she was killed. In Centralia, 1 in 25 residents has a property crime, such as theft, burglary, or car theft, committed against them. The poverty rate in Illinois throughout the entire state is 12.1%. They were never identified nor was their killer, but true crime sleuths in the state are still trying to unlock the mystery. Located in west-central Illinois, Granite City sits just across the Mississippi River from Missouri. On April 25, 2018, police announced the arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo, whose DNA matched samples found at crime scenes. Distractify is a registered trademark. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! It got its start as a manufacturing town that became the main economic driver. Copyright 2023 House Grail. He had been involved in organized crime for many years and is presumed dead.

"}}]}. ", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Murder, rape, car theft, and burglary were among the crimes committed. Knight was sentenced to 7 months in jail, the majority of which he served while awaiting sentencing, plus $2,000 in restitution, counseling, and three years of probation. O'Connor killed a police officer and was scheduled to be executed when he escaped. Its worth noting that the problems Illinois faces arent strictly a matter of big-city influence. Crime overshadows Cahokias beauty with the 48 crimes per 1,000 residents in the city. In January 1946, Heirens abducted six-year-old Suzanne Degnan from her home in Edgewater and left her parents a random note. Whether it be Peoria, Rockford, or Mount Vernon, lets take a look at the most dangerous cities in Illinois. Perhaps we'll never have answers as to what happened to this 6-year-old pageant princess though plenty of people obsessed with the case are convinced they've solved it but the strange circumstances around the death of JonBenet have made it one of the most talked about child murders in history. Former concrete worker Larry Bright was convicted of killing eight women in Peoria between 2003 and 2004. Eventually, it came out she was in hiding after having killed her mother after enduring years of abuse. In 1983, Gecht was sentenced to 120 years in prison. In 2014, Nicholas Sheley, a Sterling native, was foundguilty of murdering four people in a two-day killing spree in Illinois and Missouri. Granite City has an industrial past. Speculation as to what happened has kept him alive in true crime fans' memory all these years, with the prevailing theory for many years holding that he was buried underneath Giants Stadium in New Jersey, though when no human remains were found when the football venue was demolished in 2010. A total of 2,599 crimes were reported in 2020. For example, Edison Park is the safest in Chicago, while West Garfield Park is considered dangerous by many based on recent crime stats. Violence (Im Not the Only Boy), which is told from Specks point of view. When it comes to violent and property crimes, these cities rank highest per capita consistently, with between 163 222% higher crime occurrences than all of the other cities in Illinois. In 1912, eight people were murdered in the night, bludgeoned to death in their beds with the blunt end of an axe. Sheley killed 8 people with a hammer during one fateful week in 2008. In In 1935, three bodies presumed to be a mother and her two children were dumped on the roadside five miles from downtown Middlebury. However, residents report 183 assaults annual assaults, so it is a dangerous place to live. The latest reporting year from the FBI was 2020.Is Chicago, IL a dangerous city?No, Chicago is not a dangerous city. Despite the high-profile nature of the massacre, the FBI ended their investigation after two years and blocked any impending prosecutions. Unfortunately, Illinois is the 19th most dangerous state, and it has 10 cities, in particular, to thank for it. Murder rates were calculated based on the FBI Uniform Crime Reports and the estimated census population of each state. Its the states fourth largest city, located about 89 northwest of Chicago. We're making a stop on our tour of the most dangerous places to live in Illinois in Mount Vernon, a city in Jefferson County. However, the high-profile trial and endless documentary specials and movies of the week pushed this technically unsolved crime to the top of the list. Theft is the most prevalent property crime in Metropolis, at a rate of 45 thefts per 1,000 residents. AP Images Dubbed the "Serial Killer Clown," Gacy killed 33 boys and young men in the '70s. That doesn't mean it doesn't have plenty to offer, though. It has a rich cultural history that includes spots in major Hollywood films, such as the quintessential guys movie The Blues Brothers. Joliet uses its proximity to water with its two riverboat casinos, Harrahs and the Hollywood Casino. Dee Dee had Munchausen's by proxy and subjected her daughter to physical, mental, and emotional abuse for her entire life. The Killer Clown Their bodies were found on a trail leading to the camp's showers. According to FBI statistics, there were a total of 106,274 reported crimes for the Chicago area in the 2020 calendar year. miles. So what criteria did we use? He bound, tortured, and killed 10 people in the '70s and '80s. Police said he strangled seven women and caused the eighth to overdose on cocaine. It wasn't until DNA technology was advanced enough that California investigators discovered the same serial rapist who terrorized Northern California in the '70s had moved south and escalated to murder, taking the lives of at least 13. For every sq. WebIm currently listening to the Court Junkie episode because I want to hear the actual evidence and I am even more disgusted at the creators of murder in Illinois after hearing the details horrific crime and all the evidence against Chris. Many of his victims were buried in a crawlspace beneath his home, and others were dumped in the Des Plaines River, authorities said. It's a good thing it sits so close to the river. Violent crimes are well above the state averages. WebIn 2014, Nicholas Sheley, a Sterling native, was found guilty of murdering four people in a two-day killing spree in Illinois and Missouri. WebAdolph Luetgert M Murder of Eric Morse Murders of Lee Rotatori and Thomas Freeman N Jeanine Nicarico murder case Northern Illinois University shooting R Robert Ben Looks like the local police have their work cut out for them. She later confessed to letting the car roll into John D. Long Lake with 14-month-old Alex and 3-year-old Michael inside. The name of Champaign is pronounced just like the sparkling wine. Avoid Illinois cities that have violent crime rates, such as Rockford or Danville. Caterpillar and ADM have a strong influence on the citys economy. The latter topped 2,014 in 2019. However, property crime is the biggest problem in IL for the most part. WebMost violent and non-violent crime exceeds state averages. Homicides doubled from 2018 to 2019. Daffodils and tulips make their early presence known, and of course, there is your link to Prepare Your Lawn Mower For Spring (Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist), The Most Dangerous Cities In North Carolina. Hoopeston The 15th most dangerous place to live in Illinois is Hoopeston, This abduction of 11-year-old Jacob was a mystery for nearly 30 years, until his killer, Danny James Heinrich, led authorities to where he left him as part of a plea bargain. So what is the most dangerous city in Illinois? There are neighborhoods in these cities that you shouldn't drive thru at all and there are areas that you definitely shouldn't be in after dark. If you choose one of these cities, you're going to have to be aware of your surroundings at all times: there are a ton of 'wolves in sheep's clothing' out there. Keep in mind that are always safe and dangerous parts of any city, so even though Chicago might be considered safe you still need to be aware of where you are. WebThe most infamous Illinois murders which have been solved or have seen resolution include the following: the murders of John Wayne Gacy, H.H. You're not even safe at home in Centralia, seeing as the city also has the second highest rate of burglaries in Illinois. Also, strong DNA evidence from hairs found on the body of 11-year-old Patrick Baltazar link to Williams and his family's dog. In 1994, fellow inmate Christopher Scarver beat Dahmer to death in a prison bathroom. On April 16, 2007, Virginia Tech student Seung-Hui Cho shot 49 people on campus with two semi-automatic pistols, killing 32 and wounding 17. Illinois Schools In The Early 1900s May Shock You. He was arrested on July 1st, 2008 in Granite City. Rockford is an interesting town. In 2012, 20-year-old Adam Lanza devastated the town of Newtown, CT, killing 27 in total. Perhaps one of the most unfortunate facts about Springfield being on this list is that its the state capital. Update Privacy Preferences In order to compile our list, we looked at violent crimes and property crimes in cities with a minimum population of 5,000. He was sentenced to 461 years and died in 2014 at age 75. From unsolved cases dating back more than a century to the most high-profile court cases of the last few decades, here is the most notorious crime from each state in the U.S. The slayings have been attributed to Wayne Williams, an aspiring talent scout and record producer. 2. Technically speaking, property crime is the biggest concern in Centralia, IL. He was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography, but the judge made it clear the trial was really about Jacob. Sadly, crime is fast becoming a daily occurrence. Authorities said Gacy would strangle his victims with a noose or stab them to death, often during or after sex. Having an organized pantry is a great start, but a deep pantry presents a few challenges. 1991 was the worst year on record, with 1,229. The best course of action is to steer clear of the known high-risk areas. Pete has been working in the trades since high school, where he first developed a passion for woodworking. In 2015, there were 299 violent crimes in Harvey with 5 murders, 23 cases of rape, 149 robberies and 122 aggravated assaults. The three defendants, Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin say they were targeted because they were misfits who enjoyed heavy metal music. ", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The latest reporting year from the FBI was 2020. Like any place, it has its high and low-risk areas. Sheley was sentenced to life in prison. And, thankfully, some of the programs are actually winning. Crime has been steadily increasing since 2015. The attack by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson was a robbery, and their girlfriends testified the killers pretended to be gay to lure Matthew into a false sense of security. mile rate are disturbing. He parachuted out of a plane with $200,000 in ransom money somewhere between Seattle and Portland, never to be seen again.

No, Illinois is not a dangerous state as it ranks as the #24 based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. No, Illinois is not a dangerous state as it ranks as the #24 safest state in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. Just as every state has claims to fame they're proud of, every state has been the site of a crime so unforgettable, it unfortunately becomes intertwined with the history of the area. After he was paroled to Peoria in 1993, he killed three local prostitutes and an 88-year-old woman, for whom he did lawn work. Robert Chambliss was sentenced to life in prison. All Rights Reserved. Shelia Eddy pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 15 years. He then killed Tom and Jill Estes at a hotel in Festus, Missouri the following day. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. The tragedy remains the deadliest mass shooting in the history of Kentucky. Despite the uptick in murders, it's nothing like you'd see in Tijuana or Caracas where the murder rate is 2x any American city.

Property crime is a significant issue, with 1,339 thefts and 32 cases of arson reported in 2019. He killed 11 total. This is among a city with a population of 6,366. They are the sixth largest state in terms of population. Theft is rampant in several pockets of this small town. All rights reserved. The adage of safety in numbers applies when traveling through any populated area. On January 29th, another gas station attendant, Kenny Foust, was shot and killed. Surprisingly, Rockford isnt as wealthy as you may expect from its location. Coming in as the seventh most dangerous place in Illinois is Peoria. Cultural attractions abound, with museums, art galleries, and theaters. The trial and conviction of the "West Memphis Three" drew national attention, with celebrities like Johnny Depp and Eddie Vedder advocating for their exoneration. One of those accomplices, Elmer Wayne Henley, Jr., shot Corll to death in the midst of the torture of two victims, Tim Kerley and Rhonda Williams. ", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some victims were asphyxiated in the Castles soundproof rooms, or gassed to death in another, while others were hanged, starved, or dehydrated. The bombing killed four people three 14-year-old girls and one 11-year-old girl and injured more than 20 others. On June 26th, 1946, Heirens, then 17, was arrested for attempted burglary and confessed to the crimes during an interrogation, which he later withdrew as coerced, but evidence collected connected him to the murders. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'roadsnacks_net-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roadsnacks_net-medrectangle-3-0');The Illinois cities on our most dangerous list could definitely use some TLC. Our friends at RoadSnacks have compiled the statistics (which are from 2018), and weve worked with them to bring you the most important info about our state, ultimately uncovering the most dangerous towns in Illinois. It's also home to one of the few. 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This is in the city also has the second highest rate of burglaries in Illinois is.... Sobering thought that the problems Illinois faces arent strictly a matter of big-city influence country has risen historic., Kenny Foust, was shot and killed a rich cultural history that includes spots in major Hollywood,... Born Killers Images Dubbed the `` serial Killer Clown, '' you 're not even safe at home Edgewater! Most notably Natural Born Killers city with a population of 6,366 of this small town 2018 police... Mississippi River from Missouri 12 others before taking his own life thought that the problems faces! Is presumed dead 18 years in jail to overdose on cocaine inmate Christopher beat. When it was made the capital of Illinois movie `` Rope, '' Gacy killed 33 boys and young in.

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