Illinois interstate shootings decrease for third straight year

Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 5:26 AM

By Staff report

The Illinois State Police (ISP) is reporting interstate shootings statewide decreased 31% in 2024, compared to 2023.

For the third year in a row, the number of shootings on Illinois interstates has dropped.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) is reporting interstate shootings statewide decreased 31% in 2024, compared to 2023. Since a record high in 2021, there has been a decrease in interstate shootings every year:

31% decrease from 2023 to 2024

53% decrease from 2022 to 2024

71% decrease from 2021 to 2024

“The continued dedication of resources, including personnel, license plate readers, Air Ops, K9 units, and investigations, has allowed ISP to reduce crime on interstates and make roads safer,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Although our strategies for crime reduction continue to evolve, ISP’s commitment to protecting the public remains unwavering.”

In 2024, through patrol enforcement and special violent crime reduction missions, there was a 7% decrease in fatal crashes, a 3% increase in illegal firearms seized, and a 24% increase in vehicles recovered.

The use of ISP Air Ops and Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) has been a game changer in identifying and tracking those committing crime, as well as reducing crashes. ISP uses its Air Ops to help track vehicles and individuals fleeing from officers, reducing the risk of a high speed pursuit that can result in a fatal crash. ISP also uses ALPRs, not only to assist in apprehending individuals in real time as the crime occurs, like a vehicle hijacking, but also during investigations. Special agents can use ALPRs to identify vehicles that may have been involved in or witnessed an interstate shooting and follow up with those individuals.